Overview

Greenwood Plants supplied plants for the soft-landscaping of Graylingwell Park—a new-build development by Latimer Homes, on the outskirts of Chichester. We were excited to collaborate with award-winning garden designer and landscaper, Graduate Landscapes, on this project.  

The development offers two, three, and four bedroom homes in a picturesque, countryside location, surrounded by rolling hills, nature trails, and leisure facilities. 

Client:  Graduate Landscapes

Project:  Graylingwell Park

Location: Chichester, West Sussex

Our Approach

We supplied an extensive selection of high quality plants to enhance the grounds of Graylingwell Park, including perennials in borders surrounding the properties, such as Salvia nemorosa ‘Ostfriesland’ (Balkan clary ‘East Friesland’), Sisyrinchium striatum ‘Aunt May’ (pale yellow-eyed grass ‘Aunt May’) and Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Spessart’ (big-root cranesbill ‘Spessart’). Adored by bees and butterflies, Salvia nemorosa ‘Ostfriesland’ has spikes of violet-blue flowers on slender, purple stems; it adds a stunning pop of colour throughout summer and autumn. Sisyrinchium striatum ‘Aunt May’ is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial with sword-shaped foliage and clusters of pale-yellow flowers from June to July. Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Spessart’ has soft pink and white, saucer-shaped flowers in late spring to summer, and mats of semi-evergreen, aromatic foliage, that transitions to bronze in autumn. 

A range of evergreen shrubs were planted to create impressive frontages for the residents, such as Aucuba japonica ‘Rozannie’ (Japanese laurel ‘Rozannie’), Euonymus fortunei ‘Canadale Gold’ (spindle ‘Canadale Gold’), Fatsia japonica (Japanese aralia), and Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ (English lavender ‘Hidcote’). Aucuba japonica ‘Rozannie’ is a drought-tolerant, evergreen shrub that offers multiple seasons of interest with its glossy-green, lanced-shaped foliage; small, purple-red, spring flowers; and vibrant, orange-red, summer berries. Euonymus fortunei ‘Canadale Gold’ was positioned at the front of the residents’ borders, as it’s a smaller, semi-dwarf shrub that grows to around 1m in height. It brightens up the borders with its distinctive, golden, variegated foliage. Fatsia japonica is a medium-sized, low-maintenance, evergreen shrub that was positioned at the back of the borders because of its height and spreading habit. Its large, palmate, glossy leaves provide a real statement and small, white, globular flowers are an excellent nectar-source for bees in autumn. Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ is a firm-favourite of ours with its evergreen, grey-green foliage and dark purple, highly-scented flower spikes in summer. 

A mixture of ornamental grasses were included throughout the development, such as Carex testacea ‘Old Gold’ (New Zealand sedge ‘Old Gold’), Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ (blue fescue ‘Elijah Blue’), and Phormium tenax ‘Purpureum’ (New Zealand flax ‘Purpureum’). Carex testacea ‘Old Gold’ is a striking, evergreen grass that forms a clump of bronze foliage which transitions to a golden shade later in the year. Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ is an evergreen, compact grass with intense blue, needle-like foliage and short, blue-green flower plumes in summer that fade to buff as they mature. Phormium tenax ‘Purpureum’ was a lovely addition to the development and added a year-round focal point to the property frontages with its architectural, strap-shaped, dark purple foliage. 

Trees were also included within the development plan to bring multiple seasons of interest, including Malus trilobata (Lebanese wild apple) and Parrotia persica ‘Vanessa’ (Persian ironwood ‘Vanessa’). Malus trilobata is a deciduous tree that grows up to around 15m in height. It has lobed, maple-like foliage that starts out green and transitions to red—providing excellent, showy autumn colour. In spring, Malus trilobata has clusters of white flowers which are followed by green fruits; these often have a flush of red during summer. Parrotia persica ‘Vanessa’ is a deciduous, upright tree that has young leaves with bronze edges, which turn green in summer and finally transition to orange, copper, purple, and crimson in autumn, before they fall. Parrotia persica ‘Vanessa’ has an abundance of red flowers on bare branches throughout late winter and early spring; it’s an all year round performer. 

The Result

The high quality planting and landscaping has brought Graylingwell Park to life and we are thrilled with the final outcome. The selected plants fit harmoniously with the development aesthetic and country-side surroundings, and provide the homeowners with natural beauty throughout the year. 

The chosen plants for the development provide excellent benefits to the new homeowners, as well as wildlife. Many of the perennials are loved by bees and butterflies, and are excellent sources of nectar. The evergreen shrubs provide low maintenance planting with interest throughout the year. Ornamental grasses are a fantastic low maintenance option and bring interesting texture, movement and focal points to the development. Lastly, the selected trees bring multiple seasons of interest with their colour-changing foliage and they also provide birds with food, shelter, and nesting spots. 

Graduate Landscapes are delighted with the end result and we look forward to collaborating on more projects with them in the future!