The new-build plot was unusually shaped with different angles and high walling enclosing the whole area.

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The client wished for an easy to maintain garden with various seating areas to catch the sun as it moved across the site throughout the day.

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Fortunately, although a new build, it was sited in the ground of an old golf course and had the benefit of established trees to the side which provided extra greenery.

 

We created the design around the client’s specific brief- easy maintenance, minimal planting, a love of ornamental grasses and plenty of seating areas to enjoy the sun.

Overall construction was a collaborative project, undertaken by the client’s three sons and us.

 

The site sloped upwards and across so the ideal remedy was to terrace the whole area with a few gently graded steps to access the higher level. Beautiful light (porcelain?) tiles were used, giving the paved area the illusion of more space and light. The subtle hues in the slab colour picked up the redness of the house beautifully.

 

A graded central stairway was placed directly opposite a large pergola to draw the eye away from the change of angles in the high boundary wall and instead to the beauty of the structure, planted with favourite climbers of the client.

 

The plot aspect meant the left side had slightly more shade whereas the middle and right were far sunnier. The client had transferred several plants from her previous garden, including several large well-established Acers and hydrangeas, ferns and hostas. A particular love of Japanese-style gardens meant these could all be accommodated, with some additional well-chosen plants, to the left side.

Clump-forming bamboos were placed behind the pergola- in time these would provide further height and bulk to disguise the unusual angles of the perimeter walls.

 

The sunnier planting area was planted in the main with ornamental grasses and a few sun-loving and drought resistant perennials such as agapanthus. An ornamental stone mulch was laid from the pergola across to help supress weed growth. The remaining area of upper terrace was turfed. The finishing touches- a number of the client’s own statues and chimney-pot planters were placed within the planting and a much wanted egg chair sited under the pergola- a now to relax and enjoy!