Author Archives: Svend Rumbold

Chelsea Flower Show: Some Self-Seeding Inspiration

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Svend Rumbold

It’s been a while since my last post – there’s been a lot going on, but simply not enough time to compose some coherent words here (you can follow some of our current projects on our Facebook page). One of … Continue reading →

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A Contemporary Cornish Garden

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Svend Rumbold

A couple of weeks ago (it was the October 2013 “hurricane”) I was in Cornwall to set out the first batch of plants for a newly built garden, and I thought you might like to see hear a bit more … Continue reading →

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Trees and Planning Permission

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Svend Rumbold

As some of our readers may be aware, most local planning authorities in the UK require that planning applications address the retention of existing trees on and around the site.  There is a British Standard BS5837:2005 “Trees in Relation to … Continue reading →

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Building Beehives

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Svend Rumbold

Last week Tim ran a weekend course at his workshop, teaching how to build beehives, and it prompted considerable discussion about the health and viability of the UK’s honey bees. The importance of bees for plant pollination is enormous and, … Continue reading →

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Wildlife Gardening

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Svend Rumbold

Gardens, like so many things these days, are subject to changing fashions.  Recently, as a garden designer, I’ve seen a groundswell of interest in gardening for wildlife – insects, small mammals, amphibians and of course birds. The key to attracting … Continue reading →

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SLANT Garden Design Competition 2011

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Svend Rumbold

I am delighted to report that we (Alex Lehne and Svend Rumbold) were awarded a Certificate of Merit for our short listed design “Magic Bavaria” in the SLANT Open International Garden Design Competition.  (As some of you may know, Rumbold-Ayers … Continue reading →

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Is it too late to plant herbaceous perennials?

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Svend Rumbold

Last spring Judy and I were invited to visit a newly created garden in Warwickshire that had been planted up the previous autumn, and we were shocked to see many apparently hardy plants had been killed by last winter’s frosts.  … Continue reading →

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Summer Planting

Posted on August 13, 2011 by Svend Rumbold

Ok, so I’ve been neglecting this blog for a couple of weeks…. well sometimes I have to do some real work.  I guess most people consider summer to be June, July and August, so I’ve left it a bit late to … Continue reading →

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Oxford College of Garden Design 2011 Student Exhibition

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Svend Rumbold

A couple of overdue errands in Oxford provided the perfect excuse to visit the Oxford College of Garden Design 2011 Student Exhibition yesterday.  It was a great opportunity to catch up with people I hadn’t seen in a while, and … Continue reading →

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Highs and Lows of Chickens in the Garden

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Svend Rumbold

Keeping a handful of chickens in the garden has increasingly become the “in thing” in recent years.  We too keep a few hens, and have just acquired two new ones following the loss of the second of our original “ex-batts” … Continue reading →

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