Forbidding rear garden now an attractive social space ...
_________________________________________________________

Synopsis
The rear garden to be redesigned was approximately rectangular, south-east facing and covered about 0.3 acres. The garden was on two levels with just over a 0.5 m rise from the 1/5th part nearest the house to the remainder of the garden. Each area was already approximately level. Drainage was poor in places. The area was quite exposed to the prevailing winds.


The patio area was uninviting, felt exposed and was undersized in relation to the house and plot.


Design Solution
The planting area at the top of the West steps is modified to become more Mediterranean in style. A small single sided avenue of columnar cherry trees adds further direction and some vertical interest and a degree of screening. Eastern border shrub planting is supplemented with some evergreen and scented shrubs. Towards the bottom of the garden, a triangular area of specimen trees is established which will provide particular Autumn and Winter interest and further shielding from neighbouring property. Together with Easterly shrub planting, this triangle of trees also provides some seclusion for the ‘hidden’ patio in the Southeast corner. A more functional vegetable and utility area is provided at the South and Southeast corners. A small fruit tree area is added at the Southwest end of the garden which also provides some shielding to the utility area. The existing sunken aspect to the western mid edge of the upper lawn is filled and given more purpose and interest by mass fern and grasses planting.


The original small patio is replaced and extended to form a more socially useable area but intimacy is improved by providing an arbour over the area formed by the existing patio. The arbour also softens the imposing aspect of the house rear elevations. A rectangular pond flush with the upper patio adds further interest and provides for the sound of water.

An upper patio area is provided as an annexed social area including a hot tub. This is now a platform for enjoying the upper garden and view to the South.


Click [here] to return to main page