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Lands' End: A Rural Muse

Adam Frost shares some of his design devices that can be used at home

“People drive past field maple every day without noticing this lovely plant.”

  • Remember the ferns

    Remember the ferns

    I love ferns and we have some brilliant natives in Britain. Here we’ve got the male fern, Dryopteris felix-mas, which I couldn’t do without in a woodland setting like this garden. Because it is native, it’s just no trouble and adds so much texture in this sort of environment. Just watch the beautiful way the fronds unfurl and you’ll be converted. The RHS has comprehensive advice on caring for other shade-loving plants.

  • Gather round the fire

    Gather round the fire

    How about an evening sing-a-long with friends? Whatever the size of your garden, a firepit offers a striking and unique focal point for get-togethers. You can buy firepits off the shelf, but it's possible just to dig a hole, concrete the bottom and arrange some stonework around it. It can be used for heat, for cooking or just to get people sitting and chatting together.

  • We all love clover

    We all love clover

    A great thing to do on any roof outside as long as it isn’t too steep. I’ve used clover because it’s so bee-friendly.  There needs to be a waterproof membrane underneath and then some drainage material, and finally some lightweight roof compost into which you seed the clover. It sounds a bit complicated, but really isn’t and the RHS has a comprehensive advice sheet on the subject.

  • Rediscover native trees

    Rediscover native trees

    I’ve used a hedge of native field maple, Acer campestre in the garden. It’s so often overlooked, but it’s a lovely, hardworking plant, with great autumn colour, brilliant for wildlife and tough as old boots. Thoughtfully chosen trees can bring a whole new palette to gardens - plant in a sheltered spot where it will hold onto its leaves for as long as possible. If you don't have room to plant in the ground, consider planting trees in containers.

  • Use dry stone walling

    Use dry stone walling

    We all know the huge ecological benefits of dry stone walls: they are great for encouraging wildlife and provide lots of planting places for rock plants. We’ve incorporated dovecotes into ours but these holes could be modified into many kinds of bird or animal accommodation. They're good for cooling champagne, too!