Terra Garden Maintenance

01/11/2026

A recent maintenance job in a garden originally designed by a landscape architect, focusing on managing overgrown vegetation, restoring access and maintaining the garden's original design.

A lot needs done and in time we can get it back to its previous glory by breaking it down into manageable steps, while learning what plants we have to work with and their habits.

Species differences between plants can mean different pruning times and management requirements.

Work included removing ivy (Hedera helix) growing against the building, clearing unwanted vegetation around the pathways, pruning and reducing Clematis (Clematis spp.), cutting back butterfly bush's (Buddleja spp.) and removing an overgrown New Zealand flax (Phormium spp.), while pruning some other things as I went throughout the area.

Some pictures I forgot to take of what was done, the work is more important.

The Cypress was felled, and it was cut into manageable lengths, stacked neatly, leaving the garden tidier and more accessible.

The work has helped bring the planting back under control while retaining the structure and character of the original landscape design.

31/10/2026

Today's work at Aberdalgie Church focused on completing the final grounds maintenance before winter.

All strimming and brush cutting has now been completed for the season, along with clearing fallen leaves from the memorial, entrance and surrounding pathways.
This helps improve access for visitors and reduces the risk of slipping on wet leaves during the colder months.

It's also great to see the progress being made with the recent dry stone dyking work. The Dry Stone Walling Association and its volunteers have done an excellent job restoring sections of the stone walls, helping preserve the character and heritage of the church grounds.

A lot of worthwhile work being carried out to keep this historic site looking its best and accessible throughout the year.

29/10/2026

Today's visit to Dawyck Botanic Garden was part of my HND Plantsmanship studies at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

A great opportunity to explore the diverse tree collections, stunning autumn colours and the garden's history.

We also learned about the great spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus micans), which has affected spruce trees, including Picea breweriana.

The garden has introduced a natural predator, Rhizophagus grandis, as a biological control to help protect its valuable tree collections.

23/10/2026

Native to parts of North and Central America, Nassella tenuissima belongs to the Poaceae family. It is a fine-textured ornamental grass that forms soft, flowing clumps of narrow green leaves. During summer, delicate, feathery flower heads emerge and gradually turn golden. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, tolerating dry conditions once established. Its movement in the wind makes it popular in naturalistic planting designs.

22/10/2026

Belonging to the Poaceae family, Molinia caerulea is a deciduous perennial grass native to Europe, parts of Asia and North Africa. It forms dense clumps of narrow green leaves, with tall, delicate flowering stems appearing during summer. The foliage turns golden yellow in autumn before dying back in winter. It prefers moist, acidic to neutral soils and is often planted for its height, movement and autumn colour.

21/10/2026

Native to East Asia and belonging to the Poaceae family, this ornamental grass produces soft, feathery flower heads that emerge pinkish-purple before fading to silver. It grows in upright clumps with narrow green leaves and reaches around 1 metre tall. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and grows in sun or partial shade. Its attractive seed heads provide movement and interest throughout autumn.

20/10/2026

A busy three days tackling a variety of established hedges, including some substantial boundary hedges, formal shapes and a few arched features.
The work involved reducing and reshaping overgrown sections, trimming the tops and sides, and maintaining clean, defined lines while preserving the character of the garden.
Some of the taller hedges required specialist access equipment and long-reach hedge trimmers to complete the work.
Regular hedge maintenance helps encourage dense, healthy growth, maintains the intended shape and prevents hedges from becoming difficult to manage.
A challenging but rewarding three days, with plenty of cutting and clearing along the way.

19/10/2026

18/10/2026

On 8th October, I had the opportunity to visit Dunira Estate in Perthshire as part of my HND Plantsmanship studies at SRUC and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE).

The visit focused on the estate's historic gardens, particularly the rock garden, which is currently undergoing redevelopment and restoration.
It was fascinating to see how this historic landscape is being brought back to life, with work taking place to restore areas that have changed or deteriorated over time while respecting the original character and heritage of the gardens.

The restoration of a historic rock garden presents some interesting horticultural challenges, including managing established vegetation, improving growing conditions, selecting suitable plants and preserving the original landscape features.

Visits like this provide a valuable opportunity to understand the relationship between horticulture, landscape history and garden conservation. It's particularly interesting to see how traditional gardens can be restored and adapted for the future without losing their historical significance.

Another worthwhile experience developing my knowledge of garden restoration, plant collections and landscape management, which I hope to apply throughout my horticultural career and through Terra Garden Maintenance.

17/10/2026

Native to central and southern Chile, this tall herbaceous perennial produces striking red tubular flowers arranged along upright flowering stems. It has lanceolate to elliptic leaves and can reach approximately 2 metres in height. Flowering during summer and early autumn, it attracts pollinators and adds architectural interest to borders. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and contains toxic alkaloids.