on landscape architecture

What input can a landscape architect provide when undertaking a construction project? Can an architect not just “colour in the green”? The short answer is no: a key difference between architecture and landscape architecture is the impact of the existing site on the overall design.

After visiting a recently completed project, we wanted to give our thoughts on the significance of time in what we do as landscape architects. In short, we have to consider the long game and acknowledge nature’s cycles and processes.

They can take a long time to design, secure, install, approve, etc. and most don’t ever even pay them a thought, but foundations are the number one consideration in construction.

Does a fear of trees stems from our lack of control over nature? Trees are an essential component to both design and the environment but they can grow too big and become a hazard. The key is choosing the appropriate species for the space.

Site boundaries are a key differentiating factor between landscape gardeners and landscape architects. While both may possess the technical drawing and horticultural expertise, landscape architects must consider how the proposed development will impact or “sit” with the surrounding area.

Briza media is a wildflower meadow favourite and a beautiful one to look out for. Grasses often get overlooked, but they have their place and role to play.

Fallopia japonica was introduced as an ornamental plant to Britain in the 1820s and a short time later to America. It’s caused nothing but problems since! To kill it, some break the stem and inject concentrated glyphosate into the base with a syringe, but this can actually retard the growth and effectively make it dormant.

Borago officinalis, as with all plants containing 'officinalis', has a load of medicinal properties, so you may well spot the botanical name in herbal remedies. It grows to just under 2m and has such a loud, hairy presence before it's gone for another year!

Digitalis purpurea is a biennial, meaning it has a two-year life cycle. In the first year, it throws out tufts of leaves. The following year, It develops the flower spike, sheds seeds, and then promptly dies after its dramatic showy season. We’ve always thought there was something very rock 'n' roll about that.

Papaver rhoeas flowers briefly but the remaining seed heads are lovely little decorative features themselves. The common poppy is not high in morphine or opium (that's its cousin, Papaver somniferum), but the common poppy does still have medicinal properties.

Convallaria majalis is a lovely little plant, with so much culture and folklore surrounding it. It needs damp shade, but not too damp and not too much shade, and can be hard to keep happy.

Polygonatum multiflorum is another great architectural plant to give structure to a bed or border with subtle shades of green. The great thing about perennials is that they generally don't get taller and taller every year: they simply multiply and fill out a space with more stem and flowers.

Euphorbia are a whole family that include cacti too, and their unique flowers make them easy to identify. Carl Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist who established our naming structures and orders for vegetation (taxonomy), named this family in honour of the Greek physician, Euphorbus.

Epidemium, or Barronwort, Horny Goat Weed, or Bishop's Hat is a great little groundcover, coming into its own at the moment. Lovely delicate heart-shaped leaves that do well is sun or semi-shade.

Lunaria annua is a great annual you might be lucky to spot along a roadside or in hedgerow. It's native to Asia and the Balkans, not Ireland, but it is a welcome addition, probably because it's not so invasive. Florists love this fellas both for the flower and seed pods.

Tussilago farfara, often mistaken for dandelion, grows in wet sites and is a member of the daisy family. Every part of it is edible, and it’s known for its medicinal properties.

Pulmonaria officinalis is a great little, semi-evergreen plant for an awkward shady part of a garden. Plants with "officinalis" or "wort" in their botanical or common name, respectively, implies that they have medicinal properties.