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Is it just me, or do you also feel that Spring is not far off? 🌸🌿 Bulbs have already started to emerge in our gardens, and very soon, the beauty of snowdrops, eranthis, and crocuses will be joined by early-flowering trees like the Amelanchier lamarkii, which you can see in the Chiswick hideaway garden we designed a few years ago in London. ✨

This garden is packed with many different layers of planting to provide year-round interest, as well as interesting hard landscaping materials, such as the slate details along the path and the water feature at the end of the garden.

You may have heard that we’ve started our own online garden masterclasses. 🥳🎉🌿 The Chiswick Hideaway, photographed here, will be presented alongside another one of our projects in Amsterdam this coming Thursday, 20th February, at 7 pm GMT (UK). 🍿🌿

If you’d like to know more about the event content, please click on the SECOND link in our bio, where you’ll also find registration details to reserve your spot in our masterclass. If you’d love to attend but can’t make it, don’t worry – with the same ticket, you can rewatch the event up to 30 days later. 🙌🏻

I look forward to Spring as much as I look forward to seeing you on Thursday! Have a great start to the week!

Ciao,
Stefano

🌿👷🏻‍♂️ @lalandscapes
🌿🌿 @leongardens
🌿📸 @alistergthorpe

#plantcommunities #stefanosgardens #gardensofinstagram #landscapearchitecture #landscapedesign #gardenlife #gardeninspiration #gardenlove #gardendesign #horticulture #gardens #gardener #garden #gardening #plants #flowerstagram #plantsofinstagram #gardendesigner #instagardener #allotmentlife #landscapedesigner #jardines #diseñodejardines #plants #jardineria #kerttervezés#tuin

We were thrilled last night to win the Garden Jewel category at the SGD Awards @societyofgardendesigners for our Edgy Woodland Wonderland project in South London, UK. 🌿🥳

In the heart of the city, we transformed a bare 10x10 meter lawn into an enchanting woodland-inspired retreat. This project exemplifies how to create an explorative journey in a compact space, featuring strategically placed multi-stem trees, including Ginkgo, flowering cherries, and pines, which filter light and mimic the canopies found in natural woodlands. The undulating ground levels add an additional layer of immersion and exploration, enhancing the overall atmosphere. Instead of relying on a single focal point, we designed three off-centred feature walls clad with bespoke tiles that create dynamic visual interest and avoid rigidity in the garden’s layout. These walls are thoughtfully designed to interact with nature; their varying tile sizes and thicknesses create an interplay of light and shadows, reminiscent of dappled sunlight filtering through trees. The subtle green hues of the tiles resonate with the natural patina found in woodland environments, allowing the walls to blend harmoniously with their surroundings. The same tiles were also used on the ground, scattered to guide movement and intrigue as visitors walk through the space.

Complementing these design elements is a carefully curated matrix of grasses and perennials, along with a wildlife-friendly water feature that adds both auditory appeal and ecological benefit. The feature walls not only serve as focal points but also enhance the immersive woodland experience by providing a layered backdrop for plantings and contributing to the overall sense of connection with nature. 🍃✨

We’ll soon offer an online Garden Masterclass covering the design, build, and maintenance of this project. Stay tuned for announcements on our social media when bookings open. 🌿🍿🎉

👷🏻‍♂️🌿 @shootsandleaveslondon
🌿🌿 @leongardens
📸🍃 @alistergthorpe
📸🍂 @richardbloomphoto
🏆🌿 @brickworksvandemoortel

After the success of our first Garden Masterclass about Church Barn, we continue our lectures with two city projects in one event. Join us for "Design Meets Nature," a Masterclass that explores two exceptional garden projects: The Garden with a Vibe (Amsterdam) and Chiswick Hideaway (London). 🥳🌿

🎓 What to Expect:
- An in-depth look at the design process and inspiration behind these city projects.
- Comprehensive Design Insights: Understand the full journey of a landscape project, from concept to implementation.
- Expert Knowledge: Gain insights from a chartered landscape architect, offering professional perspectives that deepen your understanding of the field.
- Design Philosophy: Discover our approach to creating elegant, naturalistic outdoor spaces.
- Practical Tools for Hard Landscaping: Receive actionable strategies and technical details for your own projects.
- Planting Strategies: Explore our signature planting schemes and learn how to adapt them to different conditions while preserving the essence of our design aesthetic.

Our masterclasses draw from our extensive international experience, covering projects across Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, and beyond. Whether you`re a design professional, garden enthusiast, or aspiring landscape architect, this session will provide invaluable insights into transforming outdoor spaces with creativity and precision.

📅 Date: 20th February 2025
⏰ Time: 7pm UK (GMT) - Duration: approx. 1.5 - 2 hours
💻 Where: Online (SECOND link in bio to register!)

Ticket includes 30-day on-demand access to the recorded event. 🎉🍿

January may be one of the coldest months of the year, but there is so much life emerging from our gardens, anticipating spring.

📸🌿 @alistergthorpe

#plantcommunities #stefanosgardens #gardensofinstagram #stefanomarinaz #landscapearchitecture #landscapedesign #gardenlife #gardeninspiration #instagarden #gardendesign #horticulture #gardens #gardener #garden #gardening #design #plants #flowerstagram #photooftheday #plantsofinstagram #londongarden #gardendesigner #instagardener #landscapedesigner #gardenersworld #gardenstyle #tuinontwerp #woodland #gardenmasterclass #designmasterclass

This morning, many of us in Europe woke up to temperatures below zero, with frost covering the streets, gardens, and landscapes. These photos were taken by our client at Church Barn in Essex, UK. ❄️❄️

When frost or snow arrives, I often reflect on how fortunate we are to have warm homes, while the inhabitants of our gardens face the cold. Some are wintering in place, while others forage for food or scout for new nesting spots. 🐝🪺

At this time of year, nature seems to pause, and the freezing temperatures highlight this stillness. Looking at these photos, I hope our design choices have provided enough structural complexity to support wildlife, with suitable nesting sites and food sources. For instance, the edges of Prunus lusitanica will soon serve as bird nesting sites. The remnant flower heads of herbaceous plants likely still contain seeds for birds, while piles of logs may shelter hibernating toads and amphibians. Additionally, the grass matrix (Sesleria autumnalis and Sporobolus heterolepis) helps keep the soil warmer, benefiting insects.

The leaves left intentionally by trees, along with decaying plant materials, likely create better conditions for insects. Burrowing mammals may have also created holes, providing shelter for bumblebees, which often nest underground. Log piles and hollow stems can serve as homes for solitary bees and other insects. 🪲🕸️🦋

Even in these cold, still days, there’s a world of life waiting to bloom in spring. To nurture this, we need gardens with structural complexity and abundant food sources. A bare lawn or overly tidy garden won’t support this. Wildlife need nesting sites just as we need our homes. 🌿🪵🏡

If you’d like to learn more about encouraging wildlife in your garden, I recommend reading *Gardening for Bumblebees* by @dave.goulson .

Join our Garden Masterclass on January 23rd to see how we transformed a bare lawn into this wildlife oasis. Available on demand for 30 days.
Check the SECOND LINK in our bio.

Enjoy your weekend!

👷🌿 @shootsandleaveslondon
🌿🌿 @leongardens