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Some
Garden Examples
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BEFORE |
6
MONTHS LATER |
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Site
Description:
The
south-west facing garden had recently been designed
by the clients and had a strong architectural feel. Hard landscaping
was yellow travertine paving, hardwood timber decking and rendered
retaining walls painted a bold purple. The garden was on three
levels and overlooked by flats on the back boundary, although
the existing semi-mature trees would in time create more privacy.
The paved lower level around the house incorporated a semi-raised
pond with a small water cascade from a higher decked terrace.The
middle level comprised a deck area with matching timber balustrade
and a steeply sloping bank with dry stream bed. The top level
was laid to lawn with raised beds made from lovely reclaimed
timber sleepers; already existing in garden. Many of the existing
shrubs evergreen and leggy. Most were removed, leaving a few
for maturity.
The Brief:
A bold, contemporary planting scheme to complement
and enhance the new rear garden design.The soil was stony, heavy
red clay. Low maintenance was important. A beautiful specimen
tree was required on the lower level to be seen from the kitchen
window. Plant palette to include architectural plants, some
exotics, orange and purple flower colours.
The Planting Design:
Stars of the garden include a stunning Himalayan birch
(Betula utilis jacquemontii) for the shady lower level, it's
bark shining white even in the depths of winter. Additionally,
large specimens included, black bamboos near the boundaries,
a Chusan Palm (trachycarpus fortunei), Yuccas and a wonderful
mature Tree Fern.
Additional perennials included
Miscanthus grasses to screen the deck area, hostas, irises,
Kniphofia 'Tawny King'. Weed suppressant groundcover plants
were chiefly geraniums, tiarella (Foam flower) and ajuga.
Lots of climbers adorn the newly stained fence including clematis,
Japanese Glory vine (Vitis coignetiae), and honeysuckles for
scent.
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Winter bark
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