Award-winning garden designer Juliet Sargeant might be known for creating some pretty spectacular spaces, but what is her own garden at home in Rottingdean, Brighton, like?
‘My garden is a bit of a laboratory,’ Juliet tells House Beautiful UK. ‘It’s not a designed garden as such, but more a miss-match of plants that I’m trying out. It’s actually quite a challenging garden as it’s by the sea, so it can be a bit of a nightmare to grow things there.’
As many of us begin to prep our outdoor spaces ahead of summer, it can often be a challenge to know where to start. From colour themes to tasty veg patches, there’s a lot to consider – but Juliet knows exactly how to help.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021 might be postponed until September (Juliet tells us she is working on an exciting concept for 2022), but there are plenty of ways you can give your own garden that Chelsea nod of approval. We speak to Juliet to find out exactly what we should be doing with our outdoor spaces…
Something that is deeply wrapped up in sustainability and climate change, Juliet says it’s brilliant to see people so ‘switched on’ to creating planet-friendly spaces — especially when it comes to growing their own produce.
‘I think people are really interested in food, gardens and a connection with nature,’ says Juliet from her office in West Sussex. ‘I get a lot of people through the Sussex Garden School asking about how do we garden more responsibly and how is climate change going to affect my garden.’
Get your herb garden or veg patch off to a flying start by sowing seeds. If you’re starting in spring, some of the best seeds to get your hands on include broad beans, carrots, parsnips, beetroot, onions, lettuces, radish, peas, spinach, tomatoes, and summer cabbage. You’ll have a bumper crop of spectacular salad essentials in no time.
Mint ImagesGetty Images
2. Plant more trees
Since the first lockdown, there has been an increase in the number of people getting involved in outdoor projects, such as tree planting. While commonly overlooked in favour of tropical plants and dramatic flowers, trees are crucial for the natural environment.
‘I think people will continue to learn the importance of trees and hopefully will start planting trees in their garden,’ she tells us. ‘Trees are above our eye level, and because we walk underneath them, we don’t think about what they’re doing up there. We usually only take notice of things at our eye level. Trees are so vital to our survival.’
Garden designed by Juliet
Matthew J. Thomas
3. Immerse your garden with a variety of plants
Creating a delightful outdoor seating area is about more than just propping up a table and chairs on a patio. To design a leafy escape outside, think about textures, rich scents, glorious plants, and sounds of summer to evoke your senses.
‘Really try and surround the place with plants. Bring the plants around you,’ explains Juliet. ‘When you’re sitting down, what will really relax you is the different textures around you. Let plants become like the walls around you.’
Not sure what plants to opt for? Juliet advises: ‘Stay clear of not only physically spiky things, but avoid plants that are very upright or vertically spiky, too. I would go for more softer, rounder forms. You can’t beat lavender, rosemary and thymus minimus — which is a low-grown thyme which will give you that lovely smell when you run your hand over it. It’s great for a sunny seating area.’
4. Embrace the sound of water
We might not all have the luxury of a garden pond or water fountain, but filling your space with sounds of running water can create a more peaceful place for you to relax at the end of a long day. Not only does the sound of water mask traffic noise, but it can also help to attract more wildlife, too.
‘It’s really about engaging all the senses, creating a space that you can see, smell and hear. It really will help you to switch off from whatever is stressing you out. If you’re able to have a trickle of water, it’s a beautiful sound,’adds Juliet.
Beautiful garden designed by Juliet
PETER PRIOR
5. Let the bees buzz
Gardens are vital for urban and suburban bees. If you do one thing in your garden this year, give nature a helping hand. Need some inspiration? Leave a patch of the garden to grow wild to allow for nesting and shelter, or alternatively, if you’re feeling creative, make your own bug hotel to provide a place of safety for smaller insects.
Once you’ve incorporated water and plants into your space, Juliet says you’ll soon hear the ‘gentle buzzing of bees and butterflies around you’, which, wherever you live, is quite a wonderful sound. ‘It’s really relaxing, but interests us too,’ says Juliet.
Richard BaileyGetty Images
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20 stylish garden accessories to spruce up your outdoor space
Outdoor Cushion – Best Garden Accessories
John Lewis & Partners Tile Print Garden Cushion, 43 x 43cm, Emerald/White
John Lewis johnlewis.com
£14.00
Made from a durable water-resistant fabric, this printed garden cushion is perfect for a garden bench or conservatory seating area. It’s a great way to inject a pop of colour outdoors.
READ MORE: 14 stylish outdoor cushions to buy for your garden
Insect house – Best Garden Accessories
National Trust CJ Wildlife Apex Insect House
National Trust nationaltrust.org.uk
£25.00
Create a haven for insects with this beautiful wooden insect house. Hang no higher than two metres from the ground and watch as buzzing bees and insects alike use the holes to lay their eggs.
Garden Lights – Best Garden Accessories
10 Geo Shape Solar String Lights
Smart Solar very.co.uk
£14.99
Brighten up your outdoor space with these stylish solar string lights. Designed to illuminate automatically at dusk, they charge in direct sunlight. We also love that they are waterproof, too.
Outdoor Plant Pots – Best Garden Accessories
Three Oval Trough Planters
Bird bath – Best Garden Accessories
Round Terracotta Bird Bath, Green
nationaltrust.org.uk
£16.00
Give the birds somewhere to safe to drink with this round glazed terracotta bird bath. Simply place in your garden, fill with water and watch as the garden birds come to visit. Make sure you keep it topped up.
Festoon lights – Best Garden Accessories
Festoon Golf Ball Lights
gardentrading.co.uk
£35.00
Brighten up a summer’s evening with these on-trend festoon lights. Either hang around a tree, along a fence or on a festoon pole. Ideal for creating an Insta-worthy look.
Outdoor Table – Best Garden Accessories
Argos Home Ipanema Round 4 Seater Garden Table – Yellow
Argos Home argos.co.uk
£75.00
Spruce up your patio with Argos Home’s playful yellow garden table, perfect for popping drinks on when relaxing outdoors.
Garden Sculpture – Best Garden Accessories
Bluebell Handmade Recycled Metal Garden Sculpture
CHI-AFRICA notonthehighstreet.com
US$22.49
Made from recycled metals, such as car bodies and oil drums., this bluebell garden sculpture will look great nestled amongst grass and flower borders.
Storage boxes – Best Garden Accessories
Set of 2 Wooden Storage Boxes
gardentrading.co.uk
£25.60
Neatly hide away any bits and bobs with this set of two wooden storage boxes. Use to carry cuttings to the compost heap or keep your shed in shipshape.
Metal tealight holder – Best Garden Accessories
Metal tealight holder
Ideal for tea lights, this stylish holder is a must-have for every outdoor space this summer. It has a little handle at the top and light padding underneath.
Garden Lanterns – Best Garden Accessories
Summer Lantern Candle Holder, Pink/Blue, H26 cm
John Lewis & Partners johnlewis.com
£35.00
Our summer garden parties might be looking very different this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy this cheerful candle lantern.
Outdoor Rug – Best Garden Accessories
Catalpa Indoor/Outdoor Palm Leaf Rug
Rugs don’t just have to be for inside the home: bring comfort underfoot with this beautiful green outdoor rug. It has been made from polypropylene — a highly durable material that is easy to care for.
Outdoor Games – Best Garden Accessories
Chad Valley Outdoor Wooden Tension Tower Game
Chad Valley argos.co.uk
£33.00
Looking to have some phone-free fun with the family this summer? This beautiful wooden tower game is great for both indoor and outdoor use.
Throw – Best Garden Accessories
Diamonds Reversible Throw – Grey
Cosy up outdoors with this reversible grey throw. Handwoven, it has a geometric diamond pattern and soft white tassels.
Garden Mirrors – Best Garden Accessories
Decorative Antique Pergola Mirror
A statement piece for your garden, this stunning mirror will add character, whilst also helping to bounce light in dark corners. Great for jazzing up tired-looked walls.
READ MORE: 19 garden mirrors for your outdoor space
Outdoor Seat Pad – Best Garden Accessories
Cotton seat pad
gardentrading.co.uk
£18.00
Add comfort to your outdoor dining chairs with this practical cotton seat pad. It’s available in a range of colours.
Garden Ornament – Best Garden Accessories
Hand Blown Clear Glass Self Watering
Siyaglass amazon.co.uk
£7.99
This hand-blown glass snail offers an attractive way to keep plants watered. It slowly releases water into the soil around your plants as needed, which is great news if you don’t have time to water them yourself.
Outdoor Drinks Trolley – Best Garden Accessories
Coated Metal Drinks Trolley
THE FOREST & CO notonthehighstreet.com
US$95.00
Serve up chilled beverages in style with this stylish drinks trolley. The wheels make it easy to move across decking, while the metal coating makes it waterproof.
Shed Sign – Best Garden Accessories
Personalised Hanging Metal Garden Shed Sign
DELIGHTFUL LIVING notonthehighstreet.com
£32.00
This personalised hanging metal sign can be printed with bespoke wording, making it the ideal accessory for a garden, shed, allotment or veg patch. The sign comes with either a rope or suede hanger.
Floor Cushions – Best Garden Accessories
Habitat Floor Cushion – Grey
Habitat argos.co.uk
£18.00
Transform your seating area with this cosy floor cushion. Made from 100 per cent cotton, it will give your garden an instant refresh. Perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
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