Smaller Gardens
Smaller gardens are often a greater challenge than larger ones.
Front garden, Victoria Road, Topsham
This small, un-used and unloved garden at the front of a charming period house in a conservation area faces onto a pedestrian thoroughfare. My clients wanted somewhere lovely to sit which set off the architecture of the house. Incorporating a simple but stunning wooden sculpture, a formal structure of box hedging is filled with a voluptuous mixed planting of evergreen shrubs, perennials and bulbs. Scented and aromatic plants make this both a welcoming front garden and an inviting place to sit.
BEFORE
A tiny oasis in Topsham
My clients had a difficult space between the back of their modern mews house and a sloping 'cliff' face of natural sandstone and gabions. They wanted a place to sit outside, a peaceful green oasis which looked good from the upstairs sitting room as well as at ground level but which would also allow for a car to be parked in it when they had visitors. A low brick wall to match the house retains planting areas packed with herbs, bulbs and other evergreens. A multi-stemmed birch gives interest throughout the year, using the background of evergreens in neighbouring gardens to good effect. There was even room for a small, bespoke bubble fountain to retain attention within the garden and to encourage the birds to bathe.
A suburban garden in Exeter
This small, open, sunny garden is only twenty minutes walk from the centre of Exeter yet is a calm, green oasis incorporating a small pond, borders packed with choice plants surrounding a lawn, a small terrace with a raised pool and fountain and cordoned apple trees hiding the greenhouse, shed and washing line. A quiet, peaceful haven which has also been known to come alive with parties.
