Emma Atkinson: Landscape Architect & Garden Designer

Herbal Remedies  H erb s are often added here & there, wherever space allows as a bit of an afterthought, but given their gorgeous aromas, multi-purpose use and wildlife appeal, I think they should be part of the central design in any garden!  Herbs don’t only provide a few tasty pickings here and there at mealtimes, but in fact contribute to colour, scent and texture in the garden, as well as increasing pollinators to your space.   Herbs can be planted symmetrically and clipped to perfection, providing a sense of formality to a garden. Equally they can create an effortlessly relaxed cottage garden feel if you allow them to loll about and do their thing.  A variety of Lavenders ///  Yorkshire Lavender  Want to achieve that formal flair?  The secret behind formal elements is order, ‘tidiness’ and symmetry. Think of neatly trimmed rosemary spirals, or standard bay trees that frame a front door. Planters are also a key factor in creating formality. Tall, slender planters of herbs or r

'A Border with a Buzz'   Belvoir Castle Flower & Show Garden  Last month I undertook my very first show border at Belvoir Castle Flower & Garden Show, where I was delighted to have received the 'Professional's Award' selected by David Domoney. The concept of the garden is centred around Bumblebees.  Having worked closely with the bumblebee conservation trust to design a space that would be solely focused on these little creatures, the garden aimed to raise awareness, provoke conversations and showcase key pollinators. The garden was designed to be replicated across homes across the UK, whether that's in pots, balconies or gardens.  A border with a 'buzz' was designed to raise awareness of the humble bumblebee, which remain in critical decline across the UK. Bumblebees, unlike Honey Bees perform 'buzz pollination' which support vital pollination of most of our fruit and vegetables. Shockingly, over 25,000 bumblebee colonies are imported fr

The Humble Bumblebee...  Shrill Carder Bumblebee  Bees.. they are all the same aren't they? Honey, Bumble or Solitary? A few bee hives and bee hotels and the problem will be solved. This is what I believed for many years.. until a new project led me to the work of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.  Over 270 species of bumblebee exist in the UK, many of which are extremely fragile and face the very real possibility of extinction. We are fed through the media that it's the honeybee which is in rapid decline, hence the recent surge in bee keeping and hive's popping up across the country, however bumble bees face far more of a serious threat. Over 25,000 bumblebee colonies are imported from Europe by UK farmers each year to support the pollination of our crops and support food production, due to the decline in populations of British bumblebees. This is a terrifying figure, and without importing bumble bee colonies from Europe, British crops would lack the crucial pollination th

Creating Your Own Wildlife Haven  Have you spent January planning for the year ahead? What to sow, where to plant, what to move, the failures & successes? I know I have spent many of the first few weeks of January making lists and plans of plants to grow, but this year I also want to use my space to encourage more wildlife.  Outdoor spaces can be a prime resource for insects, birds and amphibians and I think it is more important than ever that we consider how we can utilise our spaces to encourage wildlife.  Whether you have balcony in the city, a small patio or large rural garden, there are many simple ways to create a refuge for wildlife, without compromising on the aesthetics or practicality of your space.  Below I have set out some key design elements that will encourage wildlife to your garden, without spending a small fortune.  1. Water: Water in the garden is always a huge plus when it comes to attracting wildlife, even tiny ponds such as a small trough or saucer can accommo