A garden for the whole family

Families make many conflicting demands on a garden. Children need space to play and keep pets, while adults want an attractive environment in which to relax and entertain friends. The design of a family garden needs to reflect these different requirements and be flexible enough to evolve as the family grows up.


Child friendly plants

There are many easily grown, non-toxic plants soft enough to do no harm if children fall against them, yet resilient enough to survive garden games.

Shrubs for sun
Acalypha, bottle-brush, buddleja, calliandra, cistus, fuchsia, hebe, lavender, murraya, rosemary, santolina, senecio and spiraea.

Shrubs for shade
Camellia, cornus, euonymus (evergreen), grapto-phyllum, hovea, hydrangea, kerria, Philodendron selloum, viburnum, vinca.

Perennials for sun
Achillea, agapanthus, artemisia, calamintha, coreopsis, geranium (cranesbill), heliotrope, kangaroo paws, salvia and catmint (Nepeta).

Perennials for shade
Ajuga, Alchemilla mollis, clivia, bergenia, brunnera, epimedium, Japanese anemone, lamium, Viola hederacea and V. odorata.

Cuddly plants
Bunny's ears (Stachys byzantina), Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa), Salix lanata, Salvia argentea, Verbascum olympicum.