​New Design Eynsford for Eynsford visitors Car Park 

As a result of the  Eynsford in Bloom 5 year plan an opportunity arose to appoint a garden designer to undertake a complete redesign of the borders at the entrance of the visitor’s car park at Station Road, Eynsford.  The garden designer, Michelle Brown of Bloom Garden & Landscape Design, based in Eynsford, provided her services on a voluntary basis.

 

As part of the new design the previous plants/bulbs in the borders were removed and redistributed at other sites across the village. In close proximity to the borders are two planters in which multi stems birch trees are sited, those planters were cleared. After clearing the borders they were prepared for the new design and planting.  The Bergenia 'Bressingham White' and 'Purpurea' remain in the borders and are incorporated in the new design given their role in supporting the stag beetles.

 

 

Design Concept

The new design is a naturalistic, minimalist planting design to provide a strong visual presence at the entrance at the visitor’s car park.  A Key feature in the new design is the introduction of the  Karl Forester ornamental grasses, wind resistant, having a long seasonal interest, and providing a strong vertical backdrop and visual throughout the seasons.  

 

Perennial Plant List – Borders 

As part of the naturalistic planting design alongside the Karl Forester ornamental grasses the perennial planting includes, Geum, Verbena Bonariensis, Rudbeckia Goldstrum, and Oenothera Lindheimeri, Salvia Nemorosa Caradonna, Helenium Moerheim Beauty, Sanguisobra Tana, Scabiosa Pink Mist,  Cephalaria from early summer to autumn. 

 

Spring Bulb Plant List - Borders

In-between the ornamental grasses and perennials, for spring interest, daffodil bulbs, 'Pheasant’s Eye' and 'Capri Dreams' were planted together with Alliums, 'Cristophii' and Camassia, and winter interest in the stems of Cornus alba 'Baton Rouge'.

 

The large wooden planters in which the multi stem birch trees are sited have also been re-designed and the bedding plants removed. 

 

Planters Perennial Plant List – Planters 

The planters have now been under planted with perennials Bergenia 'Bressingham White' and 'Purpurea, tulips, daffodil bulbs 'Pheasant’s Eye' and 'Capri Dreams', together with Alliums, 'Cristophii' and Camassia. Early summer to late summer perennial underplanting includes Burgundy Major and  Salvia Caradonna.

 

 

Late summer into autumn and winter, the emphasis in the new borders switches to beautiful textural contrasts as foliage and seed heads will take prominence in the new border display and the seed heads will provide an important food source/ shelter to support wildlife.

 

The new design takes a radically different approach delivering a new emphasis on sustainability, a simple future maintenance plan, careful consideration of layering within the design and successional planting. In contrast to the borders historically that required irrigation, a high maintenance regime and a reliance on seasonal bedding plants.

 

 

The new design focuses on single flower pollinators throughout the borders with winter/spring bulbs and early late summer perennials. In addition to safe water stations for pollinators.  The borders are long and narrow in response to this the new design focuses on plants to create maximum impact by repetition and repeat planting across the two borders. The ornamental grasses and perennials will provide swathes of naturalistic and successive waves of colour from spring to late autumn. It is intended, the focus on key plants throughout the seasons will encourage people to pause, appreciate and spike their curiosity about the planting/flowers.

 

 

The plants and wildlife will adapt and evolve in the borders and  it is intended the new design focusing on naturalistic and sustainable planting will serve as an inspiring haven in the village. Demonstrating even in the most urban environment it is possible to create beautiful planting and design to support nature’s pollinators and wildlife.​​​