COLUMNIST: KATIE REYNOLDS
Wind is a common problem in many gardens. With high winds becoming more frequent, and the damage of Storm Arwen still evident across the Scottish countryside, it is a weather condition that a number of our gardens face, my own garden included.
As with all garden design, the best approach is firstly to do some site analysis. Have a good walk around the garden to see where the most exposed areas are. The prevailing wind direction is south west in Scotland, so establish where this is in your garden as this area may need the most attention. Having said that, depending on your site, there may be walls or structures which are channelling wind to create additional exposed spots.
Protecting your garden as much as you can is a good solution, but it is important to approach it in the right way, otherwise you can accentuate rather than reduce the issue.
A solid structure such as a building or garden wall is not going to stop or slow the wind, instead wind is merely deflected as it travels up and over the wall.
Likewise having a narrow opening creates a funnel effect, forcing the wind to rush through the space at an even faster rate. It is better to aim to diffuse the wind than try to block it - it will not stop the flow, but it will slow it down. A slatted fence is therefore much more effective than a solid one.
Even better though would be a shelter belt, made up of a series of trees and shrubs, this ensures that approaching wind is diffused as it travels through the leaves of the planting. A mixture of deciduous and evergreens is best. Layer them as thickly as your garden size will allow, so that the wind has to travel through a significant filter before reaching your main garden area. Good options include pine, juniper, rowan, birch, oak, whitebeam, cotoneaster, holly, blackthorn, or elaeagnus.
Once the boundaries have been considered, resulting in a more protected site, the inner part of the garden can now be designed. If your plot is a reasonable size, then dividing the space into rooms will create more sheltered pockets.
Using hedging to define the perimeter of these rooms will further protect them from the wind. The hedging within the garden does not need to tower above you, if it comes to just above head height when sitting down then you benefit from the protection without blocking out natural sunlight.
When designing an exposed garden, I aim to create even more seating or dining areas than I usually would. By having a variety of different places, you have more options, meaning that there is always somewhere to sit depending on which direction the wind is coming from.
Another way to escape the wind in your garden is to create a sunken area. This could be a sunken garden, a seating area, or a fire pit. This sheltered area will form a microclimate away from the wind and separate to the rest of the garden. Do be aware, however, of drainage when digging down - especially in our Scottish climate - you do not want to inadvertently create a pond instead of a sunken fire pit!
Selecting plants that look good despite getting blown about is essential, so consider the form and height of your chosen plants. Good options include alchemilla, rosa rugosa, hardy geraniums, dogwood, ornamental grasses, and heathers which can all withstand harsh winds.
When considering the planting for a windy site, be aware of sizing. It is much better to buy smaller plants, trees, and shrubs than more mature ones, so that their roots can get established in order to have the best chance of thriving. Be aware that growth rates will be slower and may not reach the heights that a more sheltered site would.
In terms of care, you will need to stake planting for the first few years given the conditions, and prune them regularly to prevent wind rock with top heavy plants. In an exposed site it is a good idea to mulch planting more than you normally would, as wind can heighten moisture loss for plants.
Finally, be sensible with any accessories in your garden both from a maintenance and safety aspect. If you would like a trampoline, sink it into the ground to prevent it blowing away (this also looks much better from a design perspective!).
Likewise, choose a dwarf wall option for a greenhouse with toughened glass so that it stands the best chance in a storm. Do not place out pots with tall plants in exposed sites and avoid lightweight furniture - I like to use vintage wrought iron for very exposed sites as it is heavy and can stay out all year.
I hope that this has given you some ideas and guidance and demonstrated that even the most exposed of sites, can present a canvas for successful garden design.
Katie Reynolds Design is a garden and interior design studio for residential and commercial clients in Aberdeenshire and across the North East.
Katie works on a range of projects from city flats to country houses, public gardens to coastal properties. Follow Katie on Instagram and Facebook for or visit www.katiereynoldsdesign.co.uk to browse some of her recent projects.