Happy Mayday!

Yes, I know I’m late with it……for those celebrating Mayday on May 4^th that is. I’ve been justifiably side-tracked again this week. Originally I had planned something completely different for you but I’d had such a pleasant, restful day on Monday that I wanted to share this post with you instead, so I hope you enjoy.

To set the scene: I wanted to take a few hours to myself, to wander and to clear the cobwebs, so I took a trip to London’s Docklands. It’s been a while since I’d been here but I knew there were some great little bars, stores and restaurants lining the side-streets and the riverfront. Full of tourists and cosmopolitan locals, it has such a great vibe. I often find inspiration for all sorts of design stuff when I take a little time for me, and Mayday was no different. I travelled light and packed a compact digital camera …….just in case!

Wandering along the river, admiring the warehouse apartments, the architecture, the boats and enjoying the sound of the gulls and the smells of the kitchens, I came across the following scene.

London Dockland's river scene.

I looked for just a brief moment, and then did a double-take. Anyone guess what made me stop and look a second time? Give it a go for yourself and see what you see. Yes, I know the image is a bit small …….try clicking the image to see a larger version! That any better? Do you see yet? I’m guessing you’re probably still struggling to see what I found so intriguing so I’ll help you out with the next image. Before I show it though I want you to consider this …….when looking for inspiration for your designs, learn to LOOK carefully. I don’t mean just see and casually take in a view, I want you to really pay attention and absorb and look for out-of-the-ordinary scenes, something you wouldn’t expect!

As a designer, I’m always fascinated by the attempts of Man to create his/her own little Eden and the extremes and lengths he/she will go to achieve it…….there’s something quite primitive about it, to create our own little special space and often from the most inhospitable of situations! Around the world, in every climate you will find true works of ingenuity created from sheer determination and often, very often made from absolute need to either tame or control a wilderness.

Eden on water!

So, here you go…….a nice big close-up and the reason I did my double-take. Click on the image to make it larger. Here was a small community of boat-dwellers living, presumably full-time on the mighty Thames. Lacking any obvious private garden space, they had pulled their resources together and utilised obsolete flat-topped and rusting old barges to grow quite beautiful garden spaces, presumably accessible to all the private boat-owners berthed there.

What struck me most was the quality of the plants used. I would have considered the need/want to grow vegetables and salads for their tables yet here were stunning specimen plants that would grace the grandest country estates. What I could see from my vantage point were Ceanothus (Californian Lilac), Clematis, Phormium, Escholzia, Birch, Prunus, Allium, Salvia and Mint. This was as much as I could make out given my distance and sadly this was one time where my compact camera was just not powerful enough to get a real close-up zoom. (Must be a lesson to be learned there). I feel pretty sure they would have been resourceful enough to plant fruit, vegetables and herbs so I feel they were probably planted elsewhere out of sight. Take a look at the other images and let me know what else you can spot.

Flowers, shrubs and herbs.

Specimen trees and mixed planting.

I hung around for maybe half an hour hoping someone would either enter or leave their moorings, but no luck. I desperately wanted a real close look at the plant arrangements. I wanted to ask questions about drainage and logistical stuff like how much soil was used and how on earth was it all transported on board the boats……if transport was by wheelbarrow, it must have been a nightmare for the guys trying to manoeuvre the planks. Gives a new meaning to “walking the plank” I guess.

If anyone reading this knows someone who lives there or if you are one of the lucky ones living afloat, I’d love to know more about how this was all achieved. Please contact me at david@designmyownsecretgarden.com

All in all a very satisfying solution to greening one’s environment…….and a very satisfying walkabout. In conclusion, take a look at your own plot of land, balcony, doorstep or whatever you can potentially call your garden. Assess the surrounding areas and logistics of creating that garden and above all, let your imagination take you to a place that someday soon you will be able to re-create.

Good luck with your ideas, till next time.

David