Tel: 07971 9000 64 | toby@theurbangardeners.co.uk
Urban Garden Balham
Client Brief
These clients wanted to transform their uninspiring fully paved garden into a colourful and exciting space for themselves and their young baby to enjoy. They desired a seating / entertaining area and a large lawn area. They wanted the planting to give as much year round interest as possible, but with emphasis on more herbaceous plants and Grasses rather than standard shrubs.
Design & Solution
The design and layout of this garden aimed to incorporate as many of the client's wishes whilst still achieving a garden with balance, unity and rhythm. The final design provides the clients with a hardwood decked area in which to sit, relax and take in the view of the garden, surrounded by Lavender and Jasmine for heady scents. The decked area gives on to a lush new lawn, wrapped around by colourfully planted borders with a range of plants giving different forms and textures and interest throughout the year. A play area was sympathetically incorporated into the borders partially screened by Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin', all enclosed by new trellis along the rear wall defining the gardens boundaries.
The deck boards are Balau hardwood, giving a natural eye-catching contemporary look. From here views of the garden can be enjoyed through the informal curtain of Verbena bonariensis, edged with the aromatic Lavender angustifolia 'Hidcote'. Trachelospermum jasminoides were planted along the fence for their evergreen foliage and delightful scent.
The rest of the planting generally keeps to a purple and white flowering colour theme through the use of Huechera 'Palace Purple', Echinacea purpurea, Digitalis purpurea and Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert', with interesting and contasting forms and textures formed through varying uses of grasses and Ferns balanced and grounded by clipped Box Balls.
Two Betula utilis were planted to act as bold focal points and screening with their beautiful white trunks and peeling bark, one a multi-stemmed Jacquemontii. These were both up-light to extend their dramatic interest into the evening. These were under-planted with Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea', Digitalis purpurea, Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert' and Dryopteris affinis giving an exciting contrast of forms and textures.
The overall design and feel of the garden was one of a relaxed, natural and fun urban oasis with a simple and effective layout and an exciting array of plants to give interest throughout the seasons.