Welcome to Seeds of Wisdom; our gardening blog.

I have been writing for many years on horticulture and now we are excited to pull all that work into one place and create a library of Mimosa’s generous gardener knowledge that will help you grow more abundantly.

This month we have some styling tips, a horti – focus on rain gardens and some great UK businesses we’d love to share.

Hope you enjoy it.

Love Lucie x x x

Why not consider our Autumn Elevate

A Garden is not just for summer; in between the rainy days or even in those deluges, there is room in the garden for some cosy Autumn vibes. At Mimosa Design we are working with UK businesses we love to showcase what your garden can be with a few aspirational additions.

“Autumn mornings: sunshine and crisp air, birds and calmness, year’s end and day’s beginnings.”

– Terri Guillemets.

I love autumn in the garden. As a garden designer and horticulturist, it is my time to dream and create while nature lulls itself to sleep. Even on this, one of the wettest autumns on record in the South of England, I have collected leaves, sat out with a mug of tea, and dreamed of what was beautiful this year and what might be even better next!
At Mimosa Design, we love your outdoor space and want to help you use it more. Often, it is the biggest space within your home footprint, and there is so much opportunity to make it more usable and easy in the cooler seasons. The rain has been a constant companion this year, so there are a few design ideas to make provision for you in the garden on rainy days, too. Love Lucie x x x

Autumn Edit

How to use your garden in autumn; patio heaters, blankets, cosy autumn days, lights and planting schemes to brighten your SAD season blues.

We have been talking to lots of local and UK businesses about what they think elevates our autumn experience and we are showcasing our favourite brands.

Here they are, our 5 top choices:

1. Hutsmith
We absolutely love Hutsmith garden rooms with their ethos of “Using sustainable resources and exceptional designers, our cabins will help bring you closer to nature”. What a joy to create a retreat like this in your garden.

2. Ceda
Wood fired hot tubs are quite the circular system for a Microwoodland garden and we love this timber clad garden bath from their range. “The spirit of outdoor living originated here hundreds of years ago and is as strong now and important as it has ever been. From the Great Romantics to Wainwright, we all carry an appreciation of the natural world and are inspired by its raw beauty that invigorates the soul.” Yes! Bring back our primal romanticism for the perfect relaxation in the garden.

3. Coolheat Solution
Emma at Cool Heat Solution talks of her passion for aesthetics when choosing brands to work with “we understand the importance of creating a comfortable and welcoming environment for your home, garden, business, or commercial premises.” Let’s bring ease and comfort to our aspiration home spaces.

4. Hudson lighting
This company is doing a lot for the environment that lights us up! – with a focus on the Dark Skies Movement (What is Dark Skies Movement) “The Dark Skies movement was started in Flagstaff, Arizona, with its roots going back to 1958!” Hudson also detail how in “February 2021 our customers made us aware of the issue with lighting impacting wildlife and insects – the issue known as dark skies. This issue also ties in well with other wildlife conservation”. We love ensuring that nature’s cycles are respected and space is given for wildlife in our gardens.

5. Derek Elliot – Out of the Woods
Out of the Woods was set up in 1979 by Derek Elliott and has been based in the heart of the Cotswolds since 1981. Derek is a fabulous designer with an intention to make the right piece of furniture for the right place. I have a core belief that a garden becomes a garden with a human dwelling place, and a seat from Out of the Woods is the perfect combination of art and functionality.

Interested in how you can design any of these products into your garden get in touch

Whilst we are on the subject of design we have chatted to Claire Nicholls who owns and operates Chinnor based Helo Interiors so, for cosying up your interior Claire says:

“The nights are drawing in and there’s a chill in the air (when it’s not raining!). It’s the season to embrace cosiness and see our homes as a warm hug after a long day. The season’s popular colours of rich burgundy, deep blues and natural greens are perfect for this time of year. These moody colours coupled with soft, tactile textiles and the soothing glow of low-level lighting are a match made in heaven.”
We love her look here with the cosy details:

Horti – Focus: RAIN GARDENS

This month, our horticultural article will be focusing on rain gardens. With all the recent rain, it’s the perfect time to explore plants that thrive in soggy conditions. 

Rain gardens are designed to capture and manage excess water, often directing runoff from drains or garden sheds into a contained area. This helps maintain moisture during dry spells, creating a sustainable environment for specific plants. 

Here are some top plant choices for your rain garden: Zantedeschia aethiopica and Iris sibirica. Both perform beautifully and add a tropical flair to UK gardens. Astilbe chinensis prefers dappled shade and wet soil, making it ideal for these conditions. Ligularia dentata, known for its large leaves and striking yellow spires, it thrives in wet, shady spots. 

Larger leaves indicate a plant’s need for more water, as each cell requires moisture to stay strong and upright. 

For areas surrounding your rain garden, consider drought-tolerant plants like Lysimachia nummularia. This ground cover can thrive in dry conditions while harmonising with the lush plants nearby. You might also incorporate alpines or create a rock garden on the outer rim to blend different garden styles. 

Finally, I encourage you to explore non-invasive global plants that can enhance biodiversity, turning your garden into a vibrant ecosystem rather than a barren space. Get out there, find your perfect plants, and enjoy the beauty of a rain garden

Here is our rain garden that we designed for RHS Malvern in 2019