I wasn’t sure, and I'm still not sure, what to plant around my beautiful Stone sculpture. I wanted to enhance that corner of the garden with colour, but I didn’t want anything that would detract from the Stone’s natural beauty. The plants needed to be tough enough to withstand foot traffic, as I wanted to be able to walk around the Stone and admire it from all angles. Plus, the nearby hedge needed to remain accessible for pruning, adding another layer of complexity to the planning.

To make matters trickier, we laid down a lot of hardcore beneath the Stone to ensure the ground stayed level and could support its weight. While this was essential for stability, it left the soil around it compacted and difficult to work with. Improving the soil quality will be a long-term project that will take time and effort.

Choosing the Right Plants for the Job

For now, I’ve opted for a selection of hardy, low-growing plants that can thrive in tough conditions. I started with Carex varieties—'Fisher’s Form' and 'Snowline'—which should do well in the compacted soil and provide a soft, textured look around the base of the Stone. At the front, I added some cheerful Potentilla with vibrant orange blooms to create a lively border. To bring a bit of height and a splash of colour to the mix, I have also planted a couple of Astilbe. I’m looking forward to seeing how they perform next year, once they’ve had time to settle in. In the background, I placed three Corsican Hellebores. This particularly hardy variety is known for providing winter interest, and I’m hoping they’ll bring some life to the area during the colder months when the garden is so bare. This will be emphasised by the rose hedge which loses all its leaves though the winter and looks so forlorn, such a contrast to its vibrancy in summer.

The Stone’s Perfect Fit in the Garden

I love how the Stone sits in this space though— perfect against the backdrop of the bay, it feels like its always been there. I’m looking forward to seeing how this corner of the garden evolves over time. As the plants grow and mature, they should soften the edges and complement the Stone even more. It’s a work in progress, but that’s the beauty of gardening—it’s all about the journey and watching things unfold with time.