Low Maintenance Garden
This garden needed designing from scratch following major renovation work on the house. For the front garden, a simple layout combines the client's request for parking, pedestrian access and planting. The 3 narrow cypress trees (Juniperus Skyrocket) separate the parking from the rest, and also create a tree lined path to the front door to welcome visitors. Retaining a large area of lawn with informal hedge and ornamental trees means the view from the kitchen sink window will be green and peaceful.
A sandstone patio wraps all around the back of the house, and steps up to the lawn lead directly from the dining room French Windows. The steps are then also "wrapped around" the house in the form of terraced raised beds, built from timber sleepers. This makes the change in level feel more gradual and also displays the plants well.
There is a wide side passage which we can use to make a circular paved dining patio. The narrow beds will be lined with clipped Buxus Sempervirens and drought tolerant plants, and Olive trees in large tapered planters will remind the clients of their homeland.
On the far side of the house a narrow passage allows access to a hidden corner which has enough room for a small table and chairs to catch the morning sun and enjoy a cup of coffee.