“For Riverstone residents, I thought it was important to use plants which are emotive and familiar and yet give the planting a contemporary feel. To achieve this, we have used old favourites including roses and lavenders as well as more modern grasses and perennial plants.” – Andy Sturgeon

“The microclimate of London is advantageous to the type of plants that can be grown,” says Andy. “The warmth of the city allows us to grow some quite exciting exotic plants which would not survive outside of it “ he shares. “It also makes it easier to provide interest throughout the year because there are plenty of plants that will actively grow and flower even in the depths of winter. I still make sure the distinct seasons are celebrated through the planting because I believe that contact with the natural world and the environment is vital for people who live in cities.”

“The warming planet also makes shading more important to reduce the local temperatures, and even to cool buildings, so strategically positioning trees is an important aspect of our design,” says Andy. “Gardens are green lungs, and we can combat pollution not only with the volume of planting we use but also the physical barriers that plants can create to separate people from roads.” 

In preparing a garden for the height of summer, “The key thing to do is to grow plants which do not require large volumes of watering,” says Andy. “A mediterranean palette is useful because plants like rosemary and lavender, which are silvery in colour with small leaves, are adapted to reduce water loss through the foliage.”

If a balcony or terrace is the setting of your outdoor space, Andy has practical watering advice too: “Pots sadly need a lot of regular watering but if you have some then you can add water retaining granules.  It is also important to water early in the morning or in the evening to prevent the water from evaporating before it gets down into the soil.”

According to Andy, no matter what space you have there are a few key rules:

1. Year-round interest has to be number one.  Something needs to lift your soul in the depths of winter.
2. Use plants which are all-rounders not one trick ponies.  For example, a shrub could be evergreen and have good flowers and berries.
3. Don’t underestimate scent.  This is even more important in small spaces where the scent of plants linger in the air.

“I have always used Chelsea as a test bed for design ideas, materials and plant palettes,” shares Andy. “Chelsea you get first-hand experience for those elements but you also get immediate feedback from the public – and from critics – so it is a great opportunity to learn how people respond to certain things.”

“I have always endeavoured to design gardens at Chelsea that people want to be in, so they all have an intimacy which directly translates to real gardens. This tends to come from the ratio between built elements and planting.”

Visit our gardens for yourselves. Our team would be delighted to arrange an informal tour of our residence(s) and gardens.

At Riverstone, we believe that exceptional living extends beyond your front door. Our London residences are designed for those who want to enjoy the very best of later life – from beautifully tended private gardens to a full programme of events and amenities. If you’re considering a move that truly enriches your everyday life, we’d love to show you what life at Riverstone looks like.

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Water early in the morning or in the evening to prevent evaporation. You can also add water-retaining granules to pots to reduce how frequently they need watering.

Andy Sturgeon recommends choosing plants that offer year-round interest — evergreens for structure, fragrant plants to make the most of enclosed spaces, and all-rounders like shrubs that offer both flowers and berries across different seasons.

The key is layering plants that perform across all seasons. London’s warm microclimate makes this easier than elsewhere in the UK; there are many plants that will actively flower even in winter. Andy recommends using a mix of familiar favourites (roses, lavenders) and contemporary grasses and perennials to create interest that evolves throughout the year.

A Mediterranean palette works well: rosemary, lavender and other plants with silvery, small leaves have evolved to reduce water loss and will thrive in dry summers without extensive watering.