Brief

 

To create a floral display garden using a meandering pathway to link three seating areas through intricate perennial beds. The planting scheme was designed for a succession of flowering from early spring through to late autumn. A simple hardscape design with a complex planting scheme.

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Problem 1

 

The original garden layout had been on a slight hill that sloped down across the garden from left to right. Although we could level the interior, there remained a marked height difference between the existing fences on either side - the right side being significantly lower.

 

The neighbours to the right would not agree to a higher fence, which would have matched our fence height on the left side. The land in their garden was considerably lower than ours so from their standpoint the original fence was already the correct height.

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Solution 1

 

Although fence height disagreements between neighbours are commonplace in urban garden planning, our priority was to ensure that both parties were happy with the outcome.

 

We did use a lower fence height on the right side but fitted an agreed additional 12” of open trellis to help offset the visual difference. We also planted a series of semi-mature, evergreen shrubs and climbers that would quickly grow above the fence line to disguise the height difference between the two sides.

 

 

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Problem 2

 

There were significant privacy problems in the garden from overlooking windows. The houses at the end of the garden had intrusive views over the plot and into the glass conservatory. The immediate neighbours on both sides of the property also had clear lines of sight through to the terraced seating areas in the middle and at the end of the garden.

 

Solution 2

 

Creating privacy in gardens is usually desirable and often a challenge. To eclipse the views from overlooking windows at the end of the garden, we planted a medium-sized, high-standard evergreen tree, which would provide continuous, year-round cover.

 

To provide seasonal screening for the terraces and obscure all remaining cross-views into the garden, we used three additional deciduous trees. Two of these were positioned to have the dual purpose of blocking views from both ends of the garden. The new trees collectively created a relaxed, private space for entertaining.

 

 

Trees used for obscuring views:-

 

Evergreen:

Chinese wax tree (high standard) - Ligustrum lucidum

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Deciduous:

(existing tree) False acacia ‘Frisia’ - Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Frisia’

Silver birch (multi-stem) - Betula pendula

Eastern redbud - Cercis canadensis ‘Red Force’

Serviceberry ‘Robin Hill’ - Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Robin Hill’

 

 

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Problem 3

 

Our client had a regular visitor who would require wheelchair access to the new garden. The original layout had uncomfortably narrow paths, a number of steps between level changes and a steep initial drop into the garden from the conservatory.

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Solution 3

 

We are increasingly asked to design gardens which are suitable for disability access and we always embrace the opportunity.

 

The first task was to raise the level of the new paving directly outside the conservatory doors to match the interior floor level. This enabled a smooth transition across the threshold to the main terrace.

 

Secondly, we needed to remove all the pre-existing steps and ensure the new terraces and central pathway were levelled to a single, paved gradient, rising gently towards the back of the garden.

 

Lastly, the winding path through the perennial beds needed to maintain a constant minimum width of no less than 90cm to provide a safe and confident journey for a wheelchair user to the terrace at the far end.