NEWBUILD - Stoke Row

A client whose garden I designed several years ago, recently moved to a newbuild house with a sizable garden. Pretty much a blank canvas. I was delighted to be invited to design their new garden.  The plot has interesting undulations, so it was crying out for steps as well as preserving part of the rolling bank of lawn........ for potential future grandchildren to roll down!

The garden is already looking good, and I look forward to updating the photos as the years progress.

THE BRIEF

• Pond for Koi Carp
• Greenhouse
• Summerhouse
• Shed
• Japanese Inspired Area, to include spring blossom and Acers amongst the scheme
• Pathways through the garden
• Vegetable Beds
• Planting to include lots of favourite perennials and loads of Lavender
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• THE LAYOUT PLAN 1:100 scale
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  The beautiful new greenhouse was much too pretty to hide out of view! Since it was to
  be constructed with a brick base, the same brick was used to construct the steps and the pond.

  

  Cottage garden style planting here with pathways edged with box and Lavender. Each square bed has Roses, and
  is underplanted with a variety of herbs and ground cover perennials such as Ajuga, Stachys and Gyspsophilla.

  
  
  
  
  The Japanese "inspired" area has a granite water feature as well as a Japanese lantern.  Several large rocks were placed by the landscaper before the planting went in.  The view here is through one of the Amelanchier Trees used in the garden which will provide spring blossom as well as fiery autumn foliage. Two upright Prunus Sergentii were also also used at the pinch point in this part of the garden, and will act as "Sergents" marking the entrance to the Japanese area. Planting includes several evergreens including Fatsia Japonica, Pittosporum, Ilex Golden King, Spruce, and Cedars. Grasses included Stipa Yakushima Dwarf, Hakonechloa macra aureola. Perennials include blue Iris Siberica,  Trycirtis (toad lily), Japanese Anemone and late flowering Aster Divaricatus.
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Silver coloured granite sets edge the lawn as well as the silvery crushed shingle path, which leads to the shed.

The client, like myself, loves old cottage garden favourites. Here is a snapshot of what is in flower at the time of planting. (mid May). It will of course all look very different as the seasons progress.

Astrantia Major

Erigeron, will tumble over the edges of the walling

Hydrangea Paniculata will grow to 2mtres, but in spring these  PhloxBlue perfume are the stars. Geranium Phaem (right) has deep purple flowers and contrasts well with the soft purple of the Phlox

In the Japanese area, the fresh greens of the low growing conifer sit well with the emerging foliage of Euphorbia Dixter which will be tinged with orange. In a couple of years time the rock will be nestling amongst these plants.

In the far left corner a group of Variagated Cornus will bulk out, and their red stems will catch the low
winter sun. Viburnum Tinus will fill out the back corner, and Viburnum Davidii will add ground cover to about 1.5 metres. Yellow Phormium, another favourite of the customer, will add further structural interest. Around the edges Nepeta Six Hills Giant will add a frothy note, as well as pink Geraniums. Upright Verbena Bonariensis and Foxgloves add height.

Several Acers are joined by Heuchera, Hemerocallis, Astillbe and Ligularia. All flower,
but the main emphasis is on foliage.

Another request was for Fuschia. Blousy pink ones were included, as well as this more subtle
white variety called Hawkshead.

BEFORE AND DURING

The pond construction was undertaken by Maidenhead Aquatics. The landscaping by Treetop Landscapes

Other than the patio and timber walling, pretty much a blank canvas

loved this rolling bank, some of which has been preserved. It also seemed like the idea
location for the split level pond.

The builders timber steps. I didn't care for these, so they were changed to paving which continued into a pathway, which then became the brick pathway.