How to plant a low maintenance gravel garden in Cornwall
Made popular by the late Beth Chatto in particular, growing in gravel is inexpensive way to garden in Cornwall and the South West, and perfect for gardeners struggling with poor, dry soil. Once plants are established it’s a low maintenance design solution too.
Gravel gardens work particularly well in small front gardens in Cornish towns and villages which need to look good with minimal maintenance, and where a tiny lawn is unnecessary and might be annoying to mow. They also suit coastal gardens, where salt-laden winds and thin soils are a challenge for conventional planting. The crunch factor makes for enhanced security, too.
What you need
A sunny spot and free draining sandy or gravelly soil are important. With Cornwall's mild climate, Mediterranean and coastal plants like silvery lamb's ears and glaucous-green globe thistles, which are an essential part of the look, can thrive.
When to think twice
For gardens with thick clay soil or a high water table, which is common in many parts of Cornwall, then perhaps think twice. Firstly it’s likely that lots of gravel for drainage will need to be added (which in most cases typically doesn't work as intended.) Secondly a gravel garden could look odd surrounded by lush green plantings chosen for the wet that have completely different visual characteristics. Here embrace the opportunity to grow jungly moisture-loving Rheum and Ligularia for example instead.
When to plant in Cornwall
The best time to plant is early spring rather than autumn. Young Mediterranean plants hate sitting in winter wet, and Cornwall's mild but rainy winters can be hard on them before they establish.
Basic Design Rules
Always aim for a healthy ratio of plants to gravel; two-thirds plants to one-third gravel is perfect. Otherwise it’ll just look like a deserted beach.
Evergreen perennials, shrubs and conifers are particularly important. Aim for at least 60-70% spread evenly throughout.
There are numerous gravels available but choose something neutral that will harmonise rather than contrast with the planting. Being a natural look, consider local materials and use these. Sourced locally they'll be cheaper too. In Cornish gardens small granite or slate chippings are ideal. Similarly, in the Cotswolds, buff-coloured Cotswold stone is most appropriate.
Size is important and typically aggregates shouldn’t exceed 20mm (1”). Anything larger is hard to walk on and the shoots of perennials will struggle to push up through it in spring. For children rounded gravels are more comfortable, but if cats are a problem choose rougher, angular types. For acid soils, limestone chippings must be avoided.
If gravel meets a lawn an edge is required or the gravel will spill over and blunt mower blades. Granite setts, bricks or cobbles are ideal and suit Cornish properties well. Rusty steel metal edges could work too, just remember that in most cases these are designed not to be seen.
A gravel garden can be created in one of two ways. The first uses semi-permeable landscape fabric under the gravel, which is more suitable for front gardens or those that have little time for gardening as it keeps weeds down and stops perennials from self-seeding. The second method uses landscape fabric under paths only. To start with this might mean more weeds in beds and borders but because plants spread more quickly this way, they’ll soon crowd them out.
If you'd like help with creating your colourful Cornish gravel garden? get in touch.