THE SECRET GARDEN
DESIGN PACK
Bradstone has joined forces with award winning garden
designer, Paul Hervey-Brookes to offer you the tools,
inspiration and ideas that you need to create your own
dream garden. This pack contains site plans, planting plans,
paving and planting options, hints and tips and much, much,
more to help you create the garden of your dreams.
Need help creating your perfect Secret garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
02
CONCEPT
SECRET GARDEN
IN CREATING THE SECRET GARDEN, PAUL REVISITED
THE EDWARDIAN ARTS AND CRAFTS PERIOD
A style which almost typifies the Edwardian period and many of the great houses
and gardens created during this time still influence garden design today.
For Paul-Hervey-Brookes, a secret
place is somewhere you can
escape to. Tranquil and away from
the hustle and bustle of everyday
life, it’s a place you can retreat to,
unwind and let your mind wander.
It is a garden which is rich in seasonal
interest and colour through its planting,
using a wealth of shrubs and reliable
herbaceous perennials.
Need help creating your perfect Secret garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
03
DESIGN INSPIRATION
SECRET GARDEN
TEXTURES
Rich layers of
detail are so typical
of the Edwardian
period, especially
sweeping blocks
of planting.
HIDDEN CORNERS
Elements of surprise and not
being able to see everything at
once are key to this garden.
SECLUDED SEATING
SUBTLE DETAILS
In the Secret Garden, the seating is
tucked away and gives an oasis-like feel
as you look out over the rich planting.
The Arts and Crafts was
packed with subtle details
celebrating craft skills. Paul
recreates this feel in the Secret
Garden with a classic ingredient
such as Tile on Edge.
REFUGE
The Secret Garden is
all about escaping and
unwinding. Paul uses
a selection of trees
to create a secluded
space which has year
round interest.
INVITING
This garden uses a number
of different Bradstone
paving products to create
a rich visual experience,
helping to make the garden
feel inviting and ultimately a
little larger.
Follow the colour guides and add your own individuality to your garden:
www.nationaltrust.org.uk and www.ngs.org.uk
Need help creating your perfect Secret garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
04
DESIGN INSPIRATION
SECRET GARDEN
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF A GARDEN DESIGN IS MAKING THE PLAN WORK FOR YOUR SPACE
Not only the layout and size of the garden but how plants and accessories will fit the garden too. In this design
for the Secret Garden, there are essentially four areas that need meticulous planning before you start. The size of
your garden is crucial. Measure the space you have available.
1
THE CENTRAL SPACE
A circular lawn forms the centrepiece of the design.
3
THE SEATING AREAS
Choose the place you want to relax.
2
THE PLANTING
Planting is big, bold and close to give an enclosed feel.
4
CONNECTING PATHS
Join the design elements together.
The size of your garden is not crucial, but measuring the space you have
available is a good way to ensure you know what will fit in your design.
The designs that Paul has drawn up here are all based on a 5m x 7m
garden but on the next page you can find tips on how to adapt this to fit
your garden. For help and advice on different sized gardens, see page 06.
3
Decide how you want your design to work. This idea is based on
interconnecting and connected circles so a good way to do this is to use
a string and post to form a ‘compass’ and mark the circles on your garden.
1
2
The paved areas are important as these are where you will sit to relax.
Choose which areas of your garden you feel will work best as the perfect
tranquil seating spots. In this layout, we have a large paved area against
the house constructed using Old Town and Old Town Chelsea Cobble
paving edged with Old Town edging, and a smaller paved circle area in the
far corner of the garden using Carpet Stones.
4
3
The most important consideration in this garden design is the lawn area.
Keep it large and fairly central although not necessarily exactly to the
centre of the garden, as the overall feel of the finished garden is intended
to be more informal. Join the lawn to the paving, if you wish, by simply
overlapping the two areas.
When deciding where you are placing your lawn and paved areas, make
sure you leave large borders. The overall feel of the garden should be nice
and enclosed, so we are looking for borders that can be densely planted
with larger shrubs.
If you want this look but don’t want to do it yourself visit:
www.bradstone.com/assured
You can also use small pathway sections to join different areas of the
garden. In this design, you can see that this has been done between the
large paved area and the lawn. But, depending on the size of your garden
and how many different circular elements you may have, you can use
more and make them different lengths and widths.
Need help creating your perfect Secret garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
05
PAVING
SECRET GARDEN
FOR THIS GARDEN WE HAVE USED A RANGE OF BRADSTONE PRODUCTS
Although very different in appearance, when combined, create depth and rich layers
of detail that was typical of the Arts and Crafts movement in the early 20th century.
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4
2
1
1
Old Town paving
2
Old Town Chelsea Cobble paving
3
Old Town edging
4
Carpet Stones
See the page 06 for more information on each product
Need help creating your perfect Secret garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
06
PAVING
SECRET GARDEN
1
3
Old Town paving
Old Town edging
Complementary in colour and used for the smaller paved area.
Used to create detail and edge the paving and terrace spaces as well as
the lawn. Laying Old Town edging flat has a traditional feel with a stylish
bull nose finish.
2
4
Old Town Chelsea Cobble paving
Carpet Stones paving
Use for large patio spaces to gives a rustic informal quality. To finish,
brushing through a white cement mix gives an individual cobbled feel.
A simple to lay but amazingly effective cobble stone style paving.
Carpet Stones are ideal for creating an authentic cobbled look and
perfect for our seating area and connecting path.
Our plan features an Old Town Chelsea Cobble quarter circle terrace next
to the house that has a 2.7m radius, edged with Old Town edging laid on
its side and with a small traditional paved area using Old Town paving.
Paul’s plans offer two different laying options.
For the easy Arts and Crafts option (see page 07), you will
require two packs of Old Town Chelsea Cobble paving, one pack
of Carpet Stones, one pack of Old Town edging, six slabs of
450 x 300mm Old Town paving and six slabs of 450 x 600mm
Old Town paving.
For the truly Arts and Crafts option (see page 07), you will require
two packs of Old Town Chelsea Cobble paving, one pack of Old Town
edging, five packs of Old Town edging to create paving stone and
circle band, six slabs of 450 x 300mm Old Town paving and six slabs
of 450 x 600mm Old Town paving.
For a full list of Bradstone products and stockists, visit:
www.bradstone.com
Need help creating your perfect Secret garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
07
PAVING OPTIONS
SECRET GARDEN
EASY ARTS AND CRAFTS OPTION...
The main terrace by the house uses Old Town Chelsea Cobble
paving edged with Old Town edging.
Simply lay the edging to your circular plan and infill with paving.
You may need to cut a few slabs to make this work. In the smaller
paved area to the side of the large terrace, Paul has simply used a
few traditional Old Town pavers.
The smaller seated area at the end of
the garden is made from Carpet Stones.
These cobbles are supplied attached to a
plastic ‘mat’ that you can simply cut to fit
your circular shape.
Carpet Stones can also be used to create
connecting pathways between different
sections of the garden.
TRULY ARTS AND CRAFTS OPTION...
In this option, the main terrace remains the same, but the
smaller paved area to the side of the large terrace uses a
slightly more complex pattern of Old Town paving.
The main difference here is that the smaller seated area at the end of the
garden is made using a decorative aggregate and framed with a complex
border made of Old Town edgings. Edgings are cut to different lengths
and laid tightly together vertically so that the
tops of the edgings form an informal ‘long
cobble’ styled edging.
There is a host of decorative aggregates
available from Bradstone, choose a
decorative aggregate that matches the colour
of your stone. This process of using tightly
laid cut edgings can also be used to create
pathways between the different garden areas.
DIFFERENT SIZED GARDENS...
Don’t worry if your garden does not exactly match our size of 7m x 5m. This garden like all of the Bradstone Design gardens is easy to adapt.The
main feature of this garden is the central entertaining terrace. This needs to be sited off set but roughly in the centre of the garden area. If your
garden is wide and thin you may need to create wider planting borders or consider turning the design around the other way and creating a strong
vista from your garden’s longest aspects.
A smaller terrace by the house is also important, remember these two terraces must be different sizes with the terrace nearest the house being smaller
than the other. As long as you keep this in mind feel free to play with the size ratios to suit your own garden. If your garden is an irregular shape follow
the advice above and think carefully about creating visual illusions using the ribbon walls to trick the eye into losing the shape of the garden.
Remember trees and planting will also help!
If you want this look but don’t want to do it yourself visit:
www.bradstone.com/assured
Need help creating your perfect Secret garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
08
PLANTING ESSENTIALS
SECRET GARDEN
HERE WE HAVE SUGGESTED THE PLANTS WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO CREATE
THE TOWN LOOK. SEE PAGE 09 FOR MORE PLANTING SUGGESTIONS.
TREES
1
CATALPA BIGNONIOIDES ‘AUREA’
The golden yellow foliage of this tree sets
the contemplative tone of the garden perfectly.
It can easily be pruned to keep a smaller shape.
Max height 10m.
3
BETULA UTILIS VAR. JACUEMONTII
‘GREYSWOOD GHOST’ BIRCH
Paper white bark and fantastic autumn
foliage colour. Although tall growing the
foliage is very airy and light. Max height 18m.
SHRUBS
9
CERATOSTIGMA WILLMOTTIANUM
A deciduous hardy shrub which is covered
in blue flowers throughout late summer and
early autumn. Max height 1m.
10
PERVOSKIA ‘BLUE SPIRE’ RUSSIAN SAGE
Aromatic with the most wonderful display
of purple blue spires through late summer.
Takes pruning well and adored by butterflies
and bees. Max height 1.2m.
HERBACEOUS PLANTS
21
VERBASCUM ‘BLUE LAGOON’
14
LEUCANTHEMUM SUPERBUM ‘GOLDRUSH’
A new and reliable perennial mullein with rich
blue flowers throughout summer. Very good
on poor soils and takes some shade.
Max height 75cm.
A rich butter yellow daisy which is an easy
and reliable perennial. The flowers, which
look like shredded taffeta, are produced
throughout summer. Max height 60cm.
16
ALCHEMILLA MOLLIS
15
NTHEMIS ‘E. C. BUXTON’
The Lady’s Mantle is a reliable hardy perennial
with buttery yellow flowers through summer.
A great edging plant which will untie the
planting scheme. Max height 60cm.
This hardy herbaceous daisy is covered in
buttery flowers all summer and loved by bees
and butterflies and virtually maintenance free.
Max height 80cm.
THESE PLANTS CAN BE USED TO SEED FREELY THROUGHOUT THE GARDEN
26
SOLANUM CRISPUM ‘GLASNEVIN’
Ideal for boundary walls or the arbour seat, this
semi evergreen plant flowers from June until
September. Fast growing and easy to prune.
Max height 6m.
27
AQUILEGIA ‘BLUE BARLOW’
Granny’s Bonnet loves freely seeding itself
around the garden. Allow this rich variety to
do just that to achieve a relaxed look to the
planting scheme. Max height 60cm.
Need help creating your perfect Secret garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
09
SUGGESTED PLAN
SECRET GARDEN
THIS GARDEN IS ALL ABOUT RELAXING AND TRANQUILLITY, SO THE MAIN COLOURS
OF THE GARDEN ARE LAVENDER, PURPLE, SOFT BUTTERY YELLOW AND GREEN
These colours help stimulate the imagination, intellect, and creativity and are good colours
for harmony, meditation and balance.
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20
15
6
11
9
22
20
19
11
21
20
1
21
22
12
TREES
HERBACEOUS PLANTS
Trees are selected to create an oasis
feel. It’s important to place the Catalpa
at the furthest point so you can enjoy
its large green leaves and shape.
The herbaceous perennials selected
for this garden are all colours which
promote calm and meditation.
This will create a garden which truly
feels like an escape from busy lives.
The Herbaceous perennials come
back year after year.
23
14
23
14
21
20
18
16
17
2
24
6
19
15
4
18
24
18
25
13
8
21
13
3
24
5
10
7
8
19
21
BORDER PLANTS
This is a general plan and can be easily
adapted. See ‘Paul’s planting tips’ on
general tips for ways to create planting
groups and plans. This plan arranges
planting by height and type.
12
16
•1 Catalpa bignonioides ‘Aurea’
Indian Bean Tree. Can be pruned
to keep in shape also to keep
leaves large and golden.
2 Prunus padus ‘watereri’
3 Betula utilis var. jacuemontii
‘Greyswood Ghost’ Birch.
Remember to wash the trunk in
autumn for white winter colour.
22
SHRUBS
NEED MORE PLANTING OPTIONS?
At certain times throughout the year, Paul will be online via our
Facebook and Twitter pages to answer general questions
and offer advice on his garden designs. There will also be
seasonal advice on Paul’s blog at www.bradstone.com – so
follow and like us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date.
bradstoneuk
@bradstoneuk
Use the shrubs to create height
and the sensation of secret areas.
Don’t be afraid to bring height to the
front of the border in places.
•4 Ceanothus ‘Concha’
5 Buddleja ‘Buzz Lavender’
6 Cotinus coggygria ‘Golden
7 Spirit’
8 Cornus sericea ‘Flaviramea’
9 Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’
10 Ceratostigma willmottianum
Pervoskia ‘Blue Spire’
11 Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’
•
12 Agapanthus ‘Black Pantha’
13 Astelia banksii
14 Leucanthemum superbum
‘Goldrush’
15 Anthemis ‘E. C. Buxton’
16 Alchemilla mollis ‘Lady’s Mantle’
17 Cynara cardunculus. Cardoon
18 Penstemon ‘Sour Grapes’
19 Carex elata Aurea
20 Matteucci struthiopteris, soft
shield fern
21 Verbascum ‘Blue Lagoon’
22 Geranium ‘Roxanne’
23 Angelica ‘Gigas’
24 Verbena bonariensis
25 Heuchera ‘Lime Marmalade’
Not shown on plan, but use Aquilegia
to loosely weave through the borders
and Solanum against the arbour or
wall to help create seclusion.
26 Solanum crispum ‘Glasnevin’
•
27 Aquilegia ‘Blue Barlow’
Follow the colour guides and add your own individuality to your garden:
www.rhs.org.uk/plants and www.bbc.co.uk/gardening
Need help creating your perfect Secret garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
10
DESIGNER FEEL
SECRET GARDEN
TO REALLY CREATE THAT EDWARDIAN SECRET GARDEN FEEL,
CHOOSE CLASSIC ACCESSORIES WHICH HAVE A NOSTALGIC FEEL.
This is your garden and your personal touches are the things that make it personal to you...
ARBOUR
WICKER CHAIR
Create a refuge seat which
also acts as an informal focal
point. This can have climbers
planted against it and pots
in front to carry the layers of
texture idea through.
FURNITURE
Wicker furniture was at its
height of popularity in the
Edwardian period and it still
graces some of the most
stylish gardens to this day.
Look for traditional shapes with
generous curves and skirts to
get the spirit of the period.
CLOCHES
Traditional deck chairs will
give an immediate sense of
escapism and relaxation.
CLOCHES
Remember to use
accessories which bring
that nostalgic informality
through the garden to
help create a relaxed
and tranquil feel.
Traditional oil lights
and simple candle
sticks will add
atmosphere for long
summer evenings in
the garden.
SOFT FURNISHINGS
Natural cotton and linen
cushions will add luxury.
Use simple ticking
stripes in soft colours
to give a comfortable
relaxed feel.
If you want this look but don’t want to do it yourself visit:
www.bradstone.com/assured
Need help creating your perfect Secret garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
11
HOW TO...
SECRET GARDEN
THE GARDEN THAT PAUL HAS DESIGNED, AND ALL THE CONTENT PRESENTED
IN THIS PACK, IS BASED ON A GARDEN APPROXIMATELY 5M WIDE AND 7M LONG.
The quantities below fit this garden size, and are relative to the EASY ARTS AND CRAFTS paving option, so please
remember that you will need to increase your product and plant quantities if your garden is larger than 5 x 7m.
EQUIPMENT YOU WILL NEED
Cement mixer
*
Tape measure
*
Shovel
*
Gloves
*
Pointing trowel
*
Wheelbarrow
*
Turf
*
Brush
*
String line
*
Compost
*
Compactor
*
Rubber mallet
*
Spirit level
*
PAVING LIST
Old Town Chelsea Cobble – 2 packs of 450 x 450mm (21 per pack)
*
Old Town paving – 6 x 450 x 300mm slabs
*
Old Town paving – 6 x 450 x 600mm slabs
*
Carpet Stones paving – 1 pack of straight - 1200 x 400mm
*
Old Town edging – 1 pack - 24 pieces
*
Decorative aggregates
*
Cement
All in one ballast
*
*
Building
sand
Plasticiser
*
*
ESSENTIAL PLANTING LIST
Catalpa bignonioides ‘Aurea’ x 1
*
Betula utilis var. jacuemontii ‘Greyswood Ghost’ Birch x 1
*
Ceratostigma willmottianum x 3
*
Pervoskia ‘Blue Spire’ Russian sage x 3
*
Verbascum ‘Blue Lagoon’ x 9
*
Alchemilla mollis. Lady’s Mantle x 13
*
Leucanthemum superbum ‘Goldrush’ x 8
*
Anthemis ‘E. C. Buxton’ x 10
*
Solanum crispum ‘Glasnevin’ (use freely against the wall or abour)
*
Aquilegia ‘Blue Barlow’ (loosely weave through the borders)
*
NEED MORE PLANTING OPTIONS?
At certain times throughout the year, Paul will be online via our Facebook and Twitter pages to answer
general questions and offer advice on his garden designs. There will also be seasonal advice on Paul’s
blog at www.bradstone.com – so follow and like us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date.
bradstoneuk
@bradstoneuk
Need help creating your perfect Secret garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
12
HOW TO...
SECRET GARDEN
WE KNOW THAT ALL GARDENS AREN’T 5M X 7M, SO USE THIS HANDY GRID
TO PLAN YOUR OWN GARDEN.
Recreate all the measurements of your garden over the top of Paul’s design and use this
as the guide to how paving and other elements fit the space you have to work with.
1 square = 1 metre
Need help creating your perfect Secret garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured