Comments for Bowles Wyer

Comment on Should designers stick to designing? by Diane Pyper

Diane Pyper — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:18:10 +0000

Can’t believe you haven’t had a deluge of comments on this one. I have to disagree with garden designers sticking to the designer role. I’m not sure I understand why you accept your position as design and build but don’t accept garden designers having some role in the build?
The contractors I work with carry out the hard landscaping and ground preparation. I then carry out all the planting element from selection to carrying out the planting work. It isn’t just about being able to charge for the plants but more about being involved on site and seeing the project to its completion. Working in an office on my own now, there is also an element of ‘escaping’ the confines of 4 walls and getting my hands dirty.
My clients never seem to be confused by what I consider to be a clear cut division between contractor and myself. However I can see where there would be a problem when a designer just purchases the plants….why plants and not all the materials? Yes that doesn’t make sense to me.
Having worked in a landscape architects office, I like the freedom that garden design offers, from designing to gardening to planting, that excites me. After planting for 9hrs last week though, my muscles may disagree with this idea!

Comment on To Meet or Not To Meet? by Diane Pyper

Diane Pyper — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:34:41 +0000

I used to work in a landscape architects office that was part of a new town corporation so most of our meetings were in house. As you suggested, the landscape element was always the last item on the agenda. However, one day I decided to use my influence over the architect chairing a meeting (my husband at the time!) to deal with the landscape issues first. Returning to the office early and explaining the reason, a precedent was set for all future meetings and the landscape team were happy campers
Maybe worth a try if you can’t get out of a meeting…….and you can get the early train home!

Comment on Where do ideas come from? by Rina Zweig

Rina Zweig — Sun, 13 May 2012 14:08:02 +0000

Thanks for putting your finger into the murky nature of creativity and giving it a stir. I find that I spend a lot of time on left-brain stuff, analyzing and drafting so clients can have the confidence and security that the job will be well done. But the truth is that that is just a cover for the true processes that occur; me just closing my eyes and painting pictures in my mind.
I’ve been reading a lot of Malcolm Gladwell who writes very well on this and other subjects. Thanks for more brain food.
Rina

Comment on Where do ideas come from? by Kevin Barnett

Kevin Barnett — Sun, 13 May 2012 07:45:17 +0000

An excellent article, and I wholeheartedly recognise the ‘sub-conscious’ method of design. It seems to be working in my head !
From the starting point of view I have to start with something on paper first then walk away and let my brain do the work, and as the article says something better always comes along.

Comment on Pollination nation by John Wyer

John Wyer — Fri, 04 May 2012 11:09:33 +0000

Interesting comment Amber – i guess many clients seek order in their gardens, whereas nature is chaotic and ‘untidy’. It’s quite often the untidy bits that are best for wildlife and that’s hard to sell to some clients. Vicky

Comment on Pollination nation by Amber Connor

Amber Connor — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:09:17 +0000

We are Master Gardener’s and Landscapers in Atlanta, Ga and we tell our clients that
if they have a patch of clover anywhere in their garden that doesn’t contrast with the aesthetics, to leave it for the bees and we explain the importance of beneficial bugs and explain having praying mantids and lady bugs can do wonders for the balance
in their yard. We do this to have them subside in using chemicals in their yards and to explain the damage some herbisides and pesticides can leave behind. Some of our clients listen but some of them are looking for that golf course look of perfection. It is a fine line with pleasing clients and looking after the health of all that live in a garden.

Comment on When is a garden designer a landscape designer? Indeed, when is a garden a landscape – or vice-versa? by Piotr Widulinski

Piotr Widulinski — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:05:16 +0000

In my personal opinion difference between the Garden and a Landscape are not about its boundary, accesibility, maintenance, or ownership etc.
Designing Landscape someone design a Lifestyle and Garden is traditionally a place to grow plants. In the far past, there wasn’t such terminology as Landscape commonly used. There were parks where people grew useful household plants or designed Parks for recreation. Today Landscape may not even incorporate plants. It is surrounding where we live, performing different tasks or simply rest and enjoy forms and shapes around us even that they are not originated from plant material. However presently garden is part of the landscape but landscape can consist only from the garden. Today we still use garden as a place to cultivate household crop, but often large gardens are called a landscape and are designed by Landscape Designer or landscape architects.

Comment on When is a garden designer a landscape designer? Indeed, when is a garden a landscape – or vice-versa? by Piotr Widulinski

Piotr Widulinski — Wed, 02 May 2012 22:58:50 +0000

In y personal opinion difference between the Garden and a Landscape are not about its boundry, accesibility, maintenance, or ownership etc.
Designing Landscape someone design a Lifestyle and Garden is traditionally a place to groe plants. In the far past, there was n’t such terminology as Landscape commonly used. There were parks where people grew useful household plants or designed Parks for recreation. Today Landscape may not evn incorporate plants. It is surrounding where we live, perform different tasks or simply rest and enjoy forms and shapes around us even that they are not originated from plant material. However presently garden is part of the landscape or landscape can consist only from the garden.

Comment on Small acts can make big changes by hayley

hayley — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:05:57 +0000

Bringing something positive to a sad occasion is a lovely idea. Your post reminded me of this.
http://inhabitat.com/poetree-burial-planter-is-an-eco-memorial-that-honors-the-cycle-of-life/

Comment on That plant is so…….. by hayley

hayley — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:51:20 +0000

And there was me thinking I was original.. my brother calls me Fraxi..I call him Quercus. Acanthus spinosos comes to mind looking at the hair do you are both supporting in the photo for some strange reason!