Home // Public Realm Strategy

Trees: Structure

Function:

Structure space - divide it, focus views, shade and shelter. Ornamental, blossom, seasonal change.

Layout:

Regular rows or on an orthogonal/diagonal grid

Tree: Orchards

Function:

Productive - providing top fruit, berries, nuts. Seasonal change.

Layout:

Regular rows or on an orthogonal/diagonal grid. Use appropriate rootstock and formative trained stock for std, 1/2 std, bush, espalier, cordon and required final size. Match pollinating groups.

Hedge & Planted Fences

Function:

Low level windbreak, structure space, divide a quiet area from a more active area, productive - fruit, berries, nuts, blossom, seasonal change.

Layout:

Linear features

Shelter breaks/ woodland

Function:

Windbreak - generally or for orchards, shade, structure space, focus views, privacy, contain activity. White chalky bark, seasonal change, reference to traditional Kent orchard windbreaks.

Layout:

Rows, informal groups, regular blocks

Climbing plants

Function:

Productive or ornamental perennial climbing plants. Hops can be used to flavour beer.

Layout:

Train up vertical supports. Dwarf hops to 2m height, commercial hops to 5-6m.

Ornamental shrubs

Function:

Productive - hazel nuts, Ornamental, winter stem colour, low level structural (contain balls in kick-about spaces etc..) - year round presence

Layout:

Rows, drifts, blocks. Multi-stem hazels, coppices dogwood or salix to promote winter stem colour.

Herbs and shrubs

Function:

Productive and ornamental, fragrance, flowers, seasonal changes

Layout:

Rows, drifts or groups

Other edibles

Function:

Productive and ornamental

Layout:

Wild strawberries can be planted in gaps between paving, along the base of pergolas etc.. Rhubarb can be grown in rows, or in raised bed