This is what a Folly is for
Hot Tubs in Garden Design
For some time now I’ve wanted to take on the challenge of how to incorporate a hot tub sympathetically in a garden design.
Our Folly at The Stoneworks Show Garden provides the perfect setting and backdrop to meet all your outdoor living ideas.
Many of the 18th century Follies were used for dining and entertaining. We think this alfresco garden scene fits the bill perfectly.
Nowadays many people are extending their living areas outside with Garden Rooms and the like. An Outdoor Kitchen is a must have addition.
Here it is, our BBQ surround complete with Ice Bucket and work surfaces. Now we can set about decorating it and setting it up as a working outdoor kitchen.
We have built a delapidated wall linking last years’ Potting Shelter Garden to the Ruined Bell Tower with a broken doorway leading to the Spiral Steps.
Here is a video of how to fit a ruined window head;
For more details about our Gothic Windows please click here
Recently we have added the Ruined Spiral Steps Wall and the Outdoor Kitchen either side of the Ruined Bell Tower
We featured ‘How to design a Hot Tub into your Garden’ in this corner where the table is now
Then we set a scene for ‘How to add a Zing to Afreso Dining’ using the same space and a collection of eclectic props
To cater for our Alfresco Dining came ‘How to add Character to the Outdoor Kitchen’ in the lee of the Ruined Bell Tower
Last but not least came our ‘Hang or Chill in a Boho Garden’ with a more arty, musical bent, set in the entire surroundings
In early 2021, with ongoing Covid restrictions in mind and no Chelsea Flower Show in May, I designed a Chelsea/Hampton style Show Exhibit to build and stage here at the Stoneworks in Wells as a permanent, living and growing exhibit.
The Start - why, how & when?
Summer 2021
The Reveal
The planting is finished now on the Garden….
…and the existing roses blend perfectly with the Peter Beales additions
There’s a lovely selection of plants selected with Lynn Riches Garden Design
The next project is to pimp the Potting Shelter
The Plants
The Plant List:
Achillea ‘Summerwine’
Alchemilla mollis
Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Jewel’
Geranium ‘Rozanne’
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Lime’
Lavandula augustifolia ‘Hidcote’
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’
Nepeta x faassei ‘Pursian Blue’
Pittosporum tenufolium ‘Silver Ball’
Rosa ‘Bonica’
Rosa ‘Chevy Chase’
Rosa ‘Minnehaha’
Rosa ‘Our Beth’
Rosa ‘The Fairy’
Salvia ‘Love and Wishes’
Salvia x jamensis ‘Nachtvlinder’
Stipa tenuissima
Verbena rigida ‘Santos Purple’
Spring
Here is a selection of videos from our Stoneworks Show Garden Spring Updates. A charming Gothic Folly complete with cottage garden planting to enhance it, and a couple of spring gardening tips.
Winter
The Potting Shelter by Candle Light
A cosy spot for Mulled Wine and Mince Pies
Autumn
Entrance
Dog gates flanked by Barley Twist Candlesticks
Water Features guard the steps
Potting Shelter
Antique Chair
A few Gardening Essentials
Wall Sconce
What a lovely place to potter
This is a start, but plenty more to do
Central Bed
Our Romanesque Seat (WRS02) nestling between two natural stone Amphoras
Features
Ruined Bell Tower
Surely these steps will come in handy somewhere
Still a work in progress
Another couple of climbers to be featured on our Show Garden
Another Rose lesson from Ian
Peter Beales’ rose guru Ian Limmer explains his recommendations
Out into the splendid Peter Beales Rose Garden to preview our selections
Our thoughts are turning to the planting now. Back in the Spring preparations were underway – with an environmental twist.
More from the early Spring preparations with another environmental tip.
Visit to Middlecombe Nursery
Here are some of the plants we’ve selected
We’ll have some of these Achillea ‘Summerwine’
Starting to place the plants
Windows
It’s now time to start on the windows at the Stoneworks Show Garden. Things should start speeding up now so do keep tuned both here on our website and on social media!
Before fitting the window jambs on the Stoneworks Show Garden we attach some stainless steel builders band for an extra secure fix. This can be very useful for all components; Gothic Arches, Secret Door etc.
The jambs are now bricked up giving us a stable platform to start on the window head installation. The first part of fitting the Quatrefoil Window Head; fixing the mullion.
It’s time to fit the Quatrefoil Window head at the Stoneworks Show Garden. This is the fun bit! After all the careful preparation, putting the window head on brings the whole thing to life.
We often add an extra detail under our windows to give the wall a more characterful 3D feel; first our Stone Roof Tiles
Second comes our String Course completing a more interesting look
Once the Cills are in place we fit the Jambs (side sections) next
Followed by the Mullions (centre sections)
Now we are ready for the Window Heads
We need to brick in the sides of the Heads straight away to hold them in place securely
Then we can concentrate on a little more detailed brickwork
Here is the finished Quadruple Light Gothic Window complete with Roof Tile/String Course detail and with Celebaration Friezes below
Roofing
Finished roof complete with reclaimed gutter and down pipe.
Flooring & Paving
Last Paver
Causeway
Plinth & Walling
Our stone plinth sections laid all round and the start of the brickwork
Parapet and Celebration Frieze details liven up the lower walling
A lovely String detail using our Stone Roof tiles runs through the brickwork
In position to make a start on the Windows now
Plinth & Brickwork
Preparing to fit the Balustrade Crosses
Fitting the Balustrade Crosses
Plinth & Walling to Windows
Prep
The base of our recently dismantled Garden Room is the starting point
The first job was to empty the middle of the raised plinth
Extending the foundation where the Fireplace once stood
Extending the blockwork
Digger
Removing Hearth
Cleaning off the last remnants of brickwork
Finished Groundwork
