An eco garden
The brief was clear, it needed to be as environmentally friendly and nature friendly as possible whilst allowing a small space for a lawn. So we have created raised areas where the rubble from the existing garden can be buried. We have proposed reclaimed brick paving installed with max permeability, green oak for the pergola and furniture, composting bins, deep flower beds and minimal lawn. The rusty steel reinforcement mesh left over from the house refurb will be fixed to the fences to allow climbers to take over. This garden is a cement free zone with plenty of nooks and crannies for beasties and plants to find themselves a home.
Inspired by…
….the incredible Mexican architect Barragan. We have designed brightly painted rendered walls to form raised beds with an incorporated water feature simply because you can’t not, water is such an integral part of his architectural spaces.
Planting is big, lush and striking. We felt it was important that amongst the tall planting you would have a sense of being immersed in nature and lost inside your own space .
Thinking ahead
This garden has been designed with the view that at some point in the near future there will be a garden office to the rear of the space. We felt this needed to be considered now rather than just allowing a big enough space as it will completely change the feel of the garden.
As the client has small children we have incorporated a lawn but without it swamping the whole plan as can so often happen. We have wrapped deep planting areas around the lawn creating a layering of plants as you look from one end to the other.
Secret Hideaway
This client inherited a very long skinny south facing garden with the classic lawn down the middle and flowerbeds to each side. Whilst retaining an extensive lawn was a top priority we have managed to create deeper planting areas to break up the linear feel. Planting tall feature plants and trees in these areas adds to the feel of breaking up the space without sacrificing the open area too much. At the end of the garden is a secret hideaway, surrounded by climbers and dwarf Silver Birch to create a feeling of being wrapped up and hidden away from overlooking windows.
Making Rooms
This was a fascinating garden to work with, it has a stunning garden room within the space and a very big beautiful old apple tree bang in the middle of the open area. Although its south facing there is plenty of shade so when the sun is shining there is a satisfying dappled light over the majority of the ground. We have created 3 separate zones or ‘rooms’ which have a different aesthetic using various floor finishes with lush shade loving planting blending it all together. The garden room looks out onto a moss bed with 2 tree palms to give the feeling of finding oneself submerged in an ancient woodland.
Hammock lover
This little north facing garden is home to an enormous but very important hammock which has taken centre place in this design. The north end where the sun shines for most of the day is a seating area with warm terracotta herringbone brick paving. We have created deep planting areas with rich, lush planting, with bold architectural foliage which wrap around a moss lawn. Here the client is really not keen on a high maintenance grass lawn so we suggested moss which will work well here as it is particularly shady. We love finding alternatives to grass its a challenge but where there is a will there is most certainly a way.
Room to grow
This generously proportioned garden allows space for everything and everyone. We’ve incorporated a paved seating area with a pergola, screening off the neighbours with non invasive bamboo, plenty of lawn area for the little ones to play, a secluded seating area under the shade of a fruit tree, a mini allotment for beginners, a playhouse and a shed with an integrated greenhouse area for all your potting needs. This garden really has it all!
Space for us all
Whilst still very much a work in progress this project will transform a neglected space into a garden for the whole community to enjoy!