As a Result of Your Recommendation!

If you are one of our growing number of satisfied customers sitting enjoying the sunshine in a Lime Orchard-designed or built garden, then we would love you to tell your friends about your experience!
If your chat then turns in to a friend calling Lime Orchard about their own garden then we would like to say thank you! Quite simply, if we undertake a garden design or build worth £1000 or more from your recommendation we will send you a £50 gift voucher to spend on your garden. Plus we will give your friend a £50 discount off of their garden design or build proposal!

To claim, we must receive a completed application form prior to the design or build going ahead with both your details and the details of your friend. Give us a call on the number below and we will send a claim form to you. Terms & Conditions apply, available on request.

Contact us for more information

Kerb Appeal

Don’t just consider your home’s kerb appeal when you are looking to attract a buyer! Make your home the pride of the street by lavishing some extra special care on the so often neglected front garden. Although the front garden creates a lasting first impression for anyone visiting your home, it is usually the area of outdoor space which receives the least attention.

Hours are spent pondering how to create the ultimate back garden retreat but the majority of homeowners only spare a thought for the front garden when they are looking to sell. This could be due to the fact that often the front garden space is difficult to manage and hindered by expanses of concrete or gravel – but with careful planning and creative flair it is possible to work wonders. Some simple ideas include:

    * Position a couple of imposing bay trees either side of the front door to create an immediate impression of grandeur
    * Arrange a selection of fragrant flowers in beautiful pots within your front garden area to encourage a welcoming ambience
    * Introduce a splash of bold colour to exterior walls by potting up some hanging baskets – and if you have a colourful front door, choose some bright zesty flowers to complement it
    * Go for a style makeover of just the bed or border at the front of the house. Rethink your choice of plants and the layout of the bed

– for the simplest of transformations why not contact Lime Orchard to come up with a full planting plan for the bed which includes plant variety recommendations, position and suggested size of each plant – and of course a totally professional ‘installation’. Call 0845 539 1467 (local call rate) or visit www.limeorchard.co.uk for further details.

Alfresco Dining

One of the greatest delights of summer is enjoying dining alfresco, whether it’s a formal entertainment opportunity or a casual family meal eaten au dehors, you need to ensure that you and your guests are not only sitting comfortably – but that the outdoor setting looks suitably stylish!
This season’s hottest trend is for mixing and matching the brightest colours, so whether you are thinking of investing in some super-sized oh so cosy bean bags, or funky new seat cushions or even a selection of dashing new tableware, opt for some bold colour clashes.

Fuchsia pink paired with a hot red or sparkling turquoise will add a dramatic touch, or try an out there orange with zingy green. The mixing and matching doesn’t just relate to colours either, combining different materials is also very much on trend, so a glass table can look super stylish matched with ultra contemporary (and practical) plastic or metal chairs. And if you are looking to introduce a little designer chic into your outside space, a moulded sofa-come-bench for the garden is the very latest ‘must have’ cool garden furniture accessory.

Staycation - here to stay?

With the amazing weather that we’ve been experiencing over the last couple of months, combined with the aftermath of the much debated credit crunch, the ‘staycation’ seems set to … stay!.
So rather than rushing around cashing in your sterling for euros, making holiday cover arrangements for the pets – and buying all those last minute travel essentials, why not make better use of your time and money by investing in your outdoor space?

Think how much pleasure you and your family will get from a revamped garden – certainly more than the short and sweet two weeks enjoyment derived from on the average summer holiday. And don’t forget any improvements made in the garden will not only enhance your family’s ability to spend more time in the outdoor room, it will also add value to your property.

According to popular web site UpMyStreet.com, a well-kept garden is a valuable asset with 73% of UpMyStreet users preferring a property with a garden than one with a guest room and 8 out of 10 people saying they were willing to a pay a premium for a property with a garden (according to Halifax, buyers are willing to pay a £10,000 premium to secure a property with a garden).

And if you needed any further persuasion regarding the merits of putting your hard earned cash into your outdoor space rather than towards a trip overseas, think about the positive impact you will contributing to our natural environment, by - quite literally - going green!

RHS Chelsea Flower Show - Highlights from 2011

From The Daily Telegraph

Eight gardens struck gold at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with The Daily Telegraph winning Best in Show (pictured). Designed by Cleve West the winning garden bucked the current trend for going tall, by taking the visitor into an intimate sunken garden surrounded by warm yellow walls, flowing water and delicate trees. The three 10ft high columns with one lying on the ground, at first glance appear to be ruins but in fact are a mixture of the old and the new in concrete and terracotta.

However, it was the jewel-like colour scheme of reds, pinks and yellows - including bizarrely parsnips - that earned the designer the title the ‘Heston Blumenthal of gardening’ awarded for his propensity to gravitate towards experimentation.

Every year, a number of key themes emerge from the show and 2011 was no exception. Popular trends witnessed at this year’s event were the inclusion of sculptures, water features and garden offices in the show gardens.

Another popular theme was the use of trees clipped into strong architectural forms and a departure from neat, manicured beds to more natural wild flower planting. Water features on display ranged from Mediterranean inspired pools to gentle flowing country streams, whilst sculptures were used on a tactical basis to create an architectural focal point or as means of introducing a contrast to a lush green landscape.

Garden offices on show were very much in keeping with the growing awareness of environmental issues, incorporating ‘eco-friendly’ features such as solar panels and the effective recycling of waste materials.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show - best ever for 2011?

When the curtain closes at the end of May, RHS Chelsea Flower Show recycles 98% of the material used in the show gardens. So while the blooms may remain dazzlingly colourful, the main event is most definitely green!

The organizers of this year’s prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show are promising that 2011 is destined to be one of the best RHS Shows in history. 2011 marks the 98th anniversary of the world famous event which is now widely recognized as one of the most celebrated annual shows in the world and the undisputed showcase for horticultural excellence, with visitors flocking from across the globe both to visit and exhibit!

Over the years the show has gone from strength to strength starting with around 244 exhibitors in 1913 to today’s overwhelming 600, including gardens, nurseries, floristry, educational displays and trade stands. RHS Chelsea Flower Show now regularly attracts 157,000 visitors every year, in addition to widespread international media attention.

2011 will see the unveiling of 17 show gardens, 15 smaller gardens and a hundred of the world’s best growers and nurseries. Unsurprisingly many of the inspirational gardens at this year’s spectacular show highlight the importance of sustainability and urban greening.

The B&Q Garden demonstrates how we can all make an environmental difference regardless of the size of our garden. The garden also increases awareness of environmental issues in a theatrical and imaginative way.

The ‘Monaco Garden’ reflects the character, personality and vibrancy of Mediterranean Monaco drawing attention to environmentally sustainable solutions to enhance urban living. Roof space, vertical walls and alternative energy sources combine to provide a green way of living ideal for busy urban spaces.

Reclaimed material features in many gardens with the stunning Cotswold stone walling and paving in ‘The Daily Telegraph Garden’ showing that reclaimed materials can still be breathtakingly beautiful, while recycled wood planks, wind turbines and galvanized containers to collect water are also on show at Chelsea this year.

This year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show takes place 24-28 May 2011.

Nottingham's Got (Gardening) Talent!

A Mansfield school has beaten off stiff competition to win Lime Orchard’s design competition, which invited Nottingham’s nurseries, primary and secondary schools to put forward ideas their best ideas to create an inspirational outdoor learning space.

The Joseph Whitaker School, in Rainworth, Mansfield stepped up to the challenge laid down by Lime Orchard to dig deep and come up with a winning design entry - which was supported by a stunning 4 foot by 4 foot 3D model of their garden depicting a polytunnel, shed and chicken coop with accompanying chickens!!

The project was spearheaded by Sue Harpham who runs the Joseph Whitaker School (JWS) Community Gardening Club. The Gardening Club represents an important support activity for special children in the community, children living with either physical and / or learning difficulties. Commenting on the school’s success, Sue Harpham says “We are thrilled to have been selected to win this prestigious award, which underpins the significant role the JWS Gardening Club plays in the local community. Participating in the Gardening Club in the evenings, at weekends and during school holidays enables our special children to develop valuable life skills and boosts their self-esteem and confidence within the group. By winning the prize of a £2,000 professional garden design fee consultation we will be able to realize the true potential of our garden space and further enhance the scope of our WASP (We are Special People) activities”.

Minster Secondary School and Bleasby Primary School in the Southwell area were also both selected as runners-up in the competition, each winning £100 and a free initial garden design consultation.
The competition, proved hugely popular with schools and nurseries across the county and Lime Orchard managing director Judy Behl said “we were overwhelmed by not only the number of entries but also the incredibly high standard of entry and the obvious amount of work each school put into their submission. It was extremely difficult to choose just one winner but we felt that the superb work that The Joseph Whitaker School does in terms of using their school garden as a means to provide a much needed community facility, made this fantastic entry really stand out from the crowd”.