Green Retreat Garden Design

30/05/2026

This valerian is all over our house buildings and walls, and the pollinators love it!! It flowers all the way through to December some years and is a definite one to have!

Centranthus ruber

This plant will provide nectar and pollen for bees and the many other types of pollinating insects.

A woody-based perennial, sometimes grown as a biennial, with grey-green leaves and dense clusters of crimson, pink or white, slightly fragrant flowers from late spring to autumn

It's flowered right through to December here before

07/05/2026

Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis), also known as Lady's Smock. Taken at national trust Hardwick Hall by my lovely son.

Appearance: It is a perennial wildflower with delicate, four-petaled flowers that range in color from pale pink or lilac to white.

Habitat: These plants thrive in damp or wet areas, such as marshes, wet meadows, and alongside rivers or ditches.

Wildlife: It is a vital food plant for the caterpillars of the Orange-tip butterfly, amongst others.

A beautiful little thing!


(Cardamine pratensis), also known as Lady's Smock. Taken at our local

It is a perennial wildflower with delicate, four-petaled flowers that range in color from pale pink or lilac to reas, such as marshes, wet meadows, and alongside rivers or ditches.Wildlife: It is a vital food plant for the caterpillars of the Orange-tip butterfly.
Habitat: These plants thrive in damp or wet areas, such as marshes, wet meadows, and alongside rivers or ditches.

Wildlife: It is a vital food plant for the caterpillars of the Orange-tip butterfly.m,

07/05/2026

Golden hour is one of my most faves!!

19/04/2026

Found this HUGE field of dandelions today and it really made us smile!! Nice to see so many people leaving them for the pollinators now and not seeing them as the enemy!

Dandelions always make me think of the Chelsea Flower Show 2023 garden sponsored by .giving.back and designed by . A well deserved gold medal too for such a worthy cause!! Great memories

15/03/2026

Best way my sons could help me celebrate mother's day? Going for a plant based cruelty free lunch of course 🪴 🌿 🪴 🌿

Did you know animal agriculture is one of the biggest causes of climate change?

I'm a mother and I GET IT! Do you? Years ago I just didn't and things changed for me at the end of 2023. Even by starting to reduce your animal consumption is a step in the right direction. Better for the body and pocket too.

For the planet, for climate change, for the animals. I'd be a bit of a hypocrit if I didn't look at these things when I'm so utterly obsessed with horticulture and garden design.

02/03/2026

15/02/2026

A vegan brunch catch up with my lovely son. Even had a mocktail

08/02/2026

Happy

27/01/2026

Finally being more brave with the IPad using , and . Plus the most fantastic tutorials by . Getting there!

19/01/2026

10 years ago in January 2016 I had a massive breakdown after being too strong for too long. It almost took my life and nearly left my babies without their Mum. I'm stronger mentally now than I've ever been, due to lots of work on me and mental health awareness. This is something in a whole list of challenges I've had over the past few years, but I wouldn't change those challenges, as they've shaped me into the determined and passionate person I am today. Please reach out to friends genuinely. Let's talk more about mental health as it forms 50% of us after all. Be kind ###x much love

Pic borrowed from