A big change has happened in the Greenbook world – we’ve moved! Both the business and our lives have made the exciting journey down to Exeter, Devon, a place that’s close to our hearts. It’s also where Chris first picked up his gardening tools and discovered his passion for all things gardens. With its rolling
Greenbook Landscape Design Has Moved to Exeter! Read More »
It really is possible to live the dream, without spending wheelbarrow loads of money or having lots of experience and knowledge.
Gardens on a budget Read More »
I love working borders at this time of year. It’s a light touch cutting back certain ‘floppy’ perennials that won’t stand over winter, weeding the beds and planting bulbs. It’s nice to see the structure of the bed and to be able imagine some of those seed heads with frost on them in a few weeks time!
No words needed… but here’s a few anyway!
I’m an ambassador for @rethinkmentalillness and I wanted to share a tiny snippet of my own experience to help draw attention to mental illness specifically, rather than the wider mental health conversation.
What does a garden designer do in their own garden?! The answer is … it’s a nightmare to decide and it will almost certainly change as I get into the build 😂.
AD Our house and garden makeover is a big project and for big projects you need big tools…
After such a big response to the first reel introducing this series, I thought I’d better share some more of the garden with you all.
We’ve bought our first house! 🏠
People always make the same mistake with garden lighting…
Small garden, BIG impact
Can’t wait for @yeoorganicgarden festival 🪴. I will be there on Thursday the 17th September alongside an impressive lineup of speakers!
One of the best parts of this garden is the views. Both across the moor and this beautiful ram!
My step dad was helping on the same job with me so I gave him a hand with some hedge laying. He’s a bit of a wizz with a chainsaw. Perfect sunny crisp day for it and it will soon start to regrow again in spring. Devon hedges are noticeably different to lay than others up country as ours are usually on top of a bank, so you lay them quite flat as you don’t need the height!
Mr ram saying hello 🙋♂️
Beautiful walling that is the backdrop for all of the borders here. The terracing adds a whole new dimension to the planting!
Some more hedge laying looking great with the sun setting in the hills
Geranium Rozanne, Pinus mugo, Taxus balls, Rudbeckia seed heads all looking great still.
A road hanging out in the recently cut wildflower bank
Working in places like this is why I love the countryside! I’ll take this over a city any day.
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I’m so proud of how this garden has turned out. The amazing work carried out on the house and gardens by @malinsprivateclients has transformed the whole property completely.
Our design was all about the planting and you can really see that now it has matured 🪴
Both the house, garden and wider landscape all complement each other. Without one, the others would not look so at home!
I think it’s the late summer grasses that really make it at this time of year. What do you think?
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It is something that’s so hard for people to understand unless they have lived experience themselves or through family and friends.
It is a different situation to general mental health, as severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, can have very challenging consequences for people in their everyday lives.
Remember to just be a kind and patient person to everyone you meet, as you never know what’s going on behind the scenes. ❤️
P.s I know this post is a day late but its important to talk about regardless 🙌
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I’m sharing the whole process through design, build and planting and I want you to come along with me 🙌.
If you like longer form content then please check out my YouTube (link in bio) and say hello in the comments!
#gardendesign #gardenersofinstagram #gardenmakeover
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My @stihlgb TSA 300 is already proving so useful, and I haven’t even got started on the garden yet!
Looking forward to sharing more of the journey soon. Next up is the design! Follow along to see more 🪴
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Any Rose experts out there want to identify some of my roses? 👀
Next job is a rough initial design! Very excited to share the initial sketches and to get everyone’s feedback.
If you want to see more, please check out my YouTube (chrishullgardens). Link in bio.
#gardendesign #gardenersofinstagram #gardenmakeover
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That means we’ve got our first garden and I want to share the journey of transforming it with you.
I’ll be sharing the whole process of design, build and planting and sharing all the mistakes too!
We want to use as many reclaimed & second hand materials as possible in the design and the hardest part is our small budget!
First video of the series is now on my YouTube account. Please go and show it some love and let me know what you think of the garden! It would be much appreciated. ❤️
If there’s specific content you want to see around making a garden, then let me know in the comments 🤟.
#Gardenmakeover #gardendesign #gardenersofinstagram #gardentransformation
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So many gardens have too many lights that are often too bright as well. Subtlety is key!
This garden that we designed in Bristol uses @inlite_global lights from @landscapeplus_uk - which have a lot of options to get a lovely soft lighting scheme like this. I always try and design lighting so you’re not staring at a direct light source.
You can do this by facing things away from the house, using anti glare filters, or disguising the light source in planting. That way you get a soft glow instead!
Installed by @benjaminrichardpope 🙌
Sway lights floating through the planting
Lovely view back across the garden with Sway lights, LED strip on the bench and a wash across the gravel from Ace Low lights.
Simple Wedge wall lights to mark the steps
Sway lights and the Ace low giving a nice wash across the ground
What a garden!
Ace low light nestled amongst the planting
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The garden is split into three distinct ‘rooms’ split across two levels. Coffee spot at the top, dining in the middle, and lounging at the bottom!
Designed and planted by my company Greenbook Landscape Design and built by @benjaminrichardpope 💪
Some awesome details in this garden that have been built beautifully.
Will share some more pics including the lighting on another post soon 🤟
The best photos by my good friend @aspectlandscapemedia 📸. Go and hit him up if you need anything shooting!
A simple Corten water table breaks up the garden and nestled amongst some very textural planting!
Say what you like about Phormiums (@garden_ninja_lee I’m looking at you 👀), but Platts Black is one of my favourites and adds such good contrast here.
Sneaky @inlite_global lights tucked into the scheme too. 🙌 @landscapeplus_uk
One of my favourite details is how the decking step seamlessly becomes the bench seat for the dining table.
A lot of work went into putting a planter in this raised decking but it is totally worth it to bring planting close to the house!
Well done @benjaminrichardpope as I know it’s not as easy as it looks 😂
Who doesn’t love a top down view? Shows the proportions perfectly 👌.
A mini oasis amongst many empty looking terraced gardens!
The planting was only done in June this year, so give it time and it will all come on even more. Amazed it’s done this well with this summer!
Also I know some people wait a couple years before photographing gardens, but who’s got the patience?! It looks great so it’s getting put out there 😂
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I’m giving a talk on gardening on the wild side and I’ll also be on a panel discussion with some gardening greats!
Look forward to seeing you all there 🙌
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