A garden in Wiltshire, in late April, planted about 10 years ago. A chance and very pretty combination of Amelanchier (lamarckii?) and Clematis alpina Constance. The Amelanchier was a ‘special request’ and I didn’t expect it to thrive on thick chalk – but it has

On this grey November day, I comfort myself with this photo of the banked planting in the courtyard outside my office shot in late June. Achillea (A. Moonshine and Red Velvet), Eryngium Sapphire Blue, Lilium regale, Euphorbia characias, Linaria, alchemilla planted as a floral wall in stacked cattle troughs; mostly all gone now but will, I hope, return next year even better.

Grape vines in Kensington, London

This is a contemporary pergola, an awning almost, in a south-facing garden in Kensington, London. It is made from stainless steel and heavy duty bamboo canes. Designed by Mark Lutyens; made by Mark Bazeley. It was installed about 5 years ago and is now – August – festooned with wisteria and grape vines.

A millstone fountain surrounded by blue iris

This is a small fountain we made 5 years ago – a millstone mounted in a stainless steel tank (made by Mark Bazeley, the Nottingham master fabricator) – which is the centre piece of a small geometric box (Buxus) parterre with blue iris in-fill planting. When first installed, it looked a little stark; 5 years on, it looks very good. The moral of the story is: just add water – and wait!

Tulip Queen of the Night, Tulip Shirley, blue Camassia, Malus Golden Hornet. England late May

A wildflower lawn with Spring bulbs in late May. Tulip Queen of the Night, Tulip Shirley, blue Camassia, daffodil Thalia; crabapple trees Malus Golden Hornet in background, and behind them pleached lime trees

Studio garden at Great Western Studios by Mark Lutyens

Studio garden at Great Western Studios by Mark Lutyens; sculpture by Emily Young

Studio garden at Great Western Studios by Mark Lutyens; fish by Danny Wootton

Studio garden at Great Western Studios; lead work & fountain by Mark Lutyens and Danny Wootton

Here at Great Western Studios we have rearranged and planted our little courtyard garden as part of Chelsea Fringe. Using basic materials – cattle troughs, 8ft canes, water and lead work – we have created a vertical garden – or Jenga garden because it reminds us of the childrens’ game. We were lucky to have some Emily Young sculptures ‘just lying around’ which we have incorporated. Designed and made by myself and Danny Wootton of Wootton & Dawe the overall effect is oddly charming and peaceful. It’s open to the public this weekend and over the next month or so by appointment, do come and see it!

And here is a link to a short (2 minute) film – http://vimeo.com/66582364 –

Last year, there was a tired old garden here, and a tree. Now there’s a huge hole – but the tree remains. Next year – although hard to believe – once the builders have gone and the hole has been filled in, there will be a brand new garden with trees, hedges, tumbling roses and generous mixed borders.

Late Winter tree planting in Hampshire. One of the advantages of this cold, dry weather is that it has been easy to move around on site, to drive across lawns without damaging them, to plant without getting covered in mud; a job done easily is a job done well.