The whole idea of creative pruning is to think a little bit differently. By using the natural branching and structure you can play around and have some fun. You can do this with a wide range of shrubs and trees. It is important to understand the growth and branching patterns and requirements before you start.Continue reading “Creative pruning”
Author Archives: rgbannister
Apple tree pruning
Pruning apple trees in the winter encourages new growth and increased yield in the coming season. By removing the current seasons growth you also allow light into the canopy and allow air to circulate through the canopy. This process will help to create optimum conditions for a healthy fruiting tree when done on an annualContinue reading “Apple tree pruning”
Contemporary planting design
Sometimes planting just needs a little something extra. By introducing these raised box-balls to this contemporary planting design it brings the garden to life all year round. The clean lines of the spheres complement the overall urban design and bring an extra dimension of height.
Winter interest
As the seasons begin to change and winter interest moves to spring revival its time for a little reflection. We can still enjoy those small moments of magic when low winter light shines through the peeling bark of Acer and Birch trees and the brilliant red of the Cornus stems acts like a beacon atContinue reading “Winter interest”
Clouds on the wall
Three years ago in a creative moment I created clouds on the wall. A relatively ordinary wall shrub Euonymus ‘Emerald n Gold’ was given a new lease of life with a little careful pruning and manipulation. By understanding the way the plant grows and the branching structure you can open up individual sections to createContinue reading “Clouds on the wall”
Inspiration from Japan
Time spent working and traveling in Japan opened my eyes to a new way of using plants in gardens and landscapes. The Japanese have a long association with gardens especially in relation to belief and religion. The use of plants, predominantly evergreen trees and shrubs in association with rock and water brings the wider landscapeContinue reading “Inspiration from Japan”
Inspiration from France
Our inspiration comes from many places. Often from our own experiences, often from other people and sometimes from places we have never been. Les Jardins de Marqueyssac in the Dordogne, France is one of these place. Somewhere I have wanted to visit for a while now and definitely on my list. The creative use of clippedContinue reading “Inspiration from France”
Right tools
Choosing the right tools is essential to make all jobs easy, safe and a pleasure to undertake. These Japanese Niwaki tools are both extremely high quality and a pleasure to use. They cut cleanly, maintain their sharp edge and feel fantastic in your hand.
Revealing architecture
Opening up and revealing the structure of mature trees can bring a sense of stature and grandeur to a garden space.
Hello and welcome!
Pruning and managing plant shape, form and habit has been a bit of an obsession for the last ten years or so. Since returning from work in Japan in 2006-7 I have developed specialist pruning techniques and styles. I now apply these skills & knowledge to my horticultural work in Devon and the south-west ofContinue reading “Hello and welcome!”
Specialist Pruning 