For many of us, spending time in the garden can provide solace from the hustle and bustle of life, and studies have shown that being outdoors can bring a multitude of mental health benefits. The same can be said for taking on a garden renovation project, which not only provides us with an outlet for creative expression, but gives us the opportunity to create an outdoor space that can be enjoyed year-round.

Ksenia Zizina from Loch Lomond was excited to share her garden renovation with us after a much-needed makeover. She said, “My garden was neglected for a few years after we moved into the house. The pandemic and lockdowns in 2020 presented me with an opportunity to finally tackle the re-landscaping of the garden and fix sloping issues. Our main priority was to make it a recreational extension of the house, with as little maintenance as possible.”

Break It Down

Being a novice gardener, Ksenia was initially worried about the challenges she would face in taking on such a large project, but she decided to break it down into smaller chunks and focus specifically on one task: creating a perennial flower border, accompanied by evergreens, that can be enjoyed throughout the year.

She explained, “We live in a small terraced house with a garden facing north-east. I spent a lot of time reading books, researching online, visiting nearby gardens, and keeping an eye out for what was growing well in my area during different seasons.”

Perennial Border

Ksenia then got to work on creating a perennial border, and explained some of her plant and foliage choices, “I have five different types of grasses to provide structure, and the rest is filled with perennials that will bloom between early spring and autumn. The grasses create a lot of visual interest, which is even more dramatic in winter when they are powdered with snow.”

“I have a lovely display of Narcissus in spring, and I see the first bursts of colour in early July. Rudbeckia ‘Goldstrum’ extends the season with a pop of yellow up until October.”

Low Maintenance Space

Sustainability is an important factor for Ksenia, who chooses to keep her dry grasses until February in order to provide shelter for wildlife. When new growth begins to emerge, the old growth is cut, chopped, and re-used as mulch, mirroring the natural process where growth decomposes and adds extra nutrients to the soil. Thanks to this clever planting method, Ksenia only needs to cut and mulch the border once a year, fulfilling her goal of making her outdoor space as low-maintenance as possible.

Despite facing some challenges, like having to tie down some of her tall grasses to avoid breakage during strong winds, this journey has ultimately made Ksenia a better gardener, and she continues to learn as her border evolves with the seasons.

Positive Impact

“Although it’s just one small border, it has so much positive impact on my wellbeing, as well as providing nectar and shelter for pollinators and other wildlife. It’s packed with interest, the proportions of the plants change as they grow through the seasons, and every month of the year it looks different.”

You can follow Ksenia’s gardening journey on Instagram @smallgreyhouse.