A more unusual request - a place for the telescope?

A new build with a blank canvas.

THE BRIEF

1. A patio for entertaining, to include somewhere to hang fairy lights
2. A separate seating area for a firepit ( a recent gift)
3. A separate paved area for setting up the telescope.
4. A Mediterranean influenced planting scheme (Tricky in clay soil, so needs careful plant choice).

The telescope space was a first for me!  With the customer identifying the best space for this within the garden (back right), this was the starting point. I prefer not to put paving against the fence into a corner unless it can't be avoided, so opted for a circular patio, cutting into the lawn space and allowing space of approx 2mtres behind for planting. A French Lavender Hedge echoes the circle shape, and behind it many of the "Mediterranean " influenced plants, in this south facing corner.  The customers ordered a Pod style swing seat to use on the "telescope" patio, when telescope not being used.

Typically silvery foliage and including Cistus, Potentilla, Sedums, Perovskia and Helanthemums.  For bulk and evergreen backdrop I used Arbutus, which is often found in the Macci of the Mediterrean. (the Strawberry Tree), and the contrasting smaller foliage of a Pittosporum which will fill the entire corner to around 3m height. Other  key sub shrubs include Euphorbia, with their glaucous foliage.

Crocosmia Emily McKenzie with the pod seat sitting on the smaller circular patio, which double up at telescope patio

The idea of somewhere for fairy lights then called for some verticals, but rather than a pergola which the customer had asked for, I suggested that a 3 post, 2 sided timber structure would keep the space more open and not restrict the width of the patio to the length of the timber beams. Climbing up 2 of the 3 posts is Trachelospernum Jasminoides. Slow growing, and with a beautiful scent, it will climb steadily, and twine around the posts and beams of the structure. (Many other climbers are too prolific for this type of situation.)

The evening patio with the firepit

Pretty cushions with Verbena Bonariensis catching the sunlight

Pink Veronica spires

Verbena repeating across the borders

Small unit pavers lead to the dining area where fairy light are strung around the timber posts

Box hedging lines the path edges.

From the Indian Sandstone path from the house, a path with matching small tumbled units lined with box hedge, leads to the main entertaining space.  On the back wall, a Honeysuckle will soon clothe the fence and brick wall, and meet up the Clematis Montana on the other fence.