Time for a grown up garden

I see a lot of small gardens where a trampoline is the focal point, and am always much relieved when the client agrees it's time for it to go! Top of this family's list was somewhere to store their bikes, and have good, easy access to them.

BEFORE photos at the end

THE BRIEF

Bike Storage
Vegetable raised beds
Improved view from dining room (currently look out onto dustbins/recycling)
Improved view from the kitchen sink
Compost area
Improvement on what they have
Colourful planting, with Magenta and Purple as favourites
Rotary washing line

THE SOLUTION

After a fair amount of research both by myself, and the client, it was agreed that the shed they had was actually the best option. However, the position of the shed was not making the most of the garden space, and behind it had become a dumping area for compost, not actually very accessible to use.

Reposition the existing shed, into the back corner
Build new raised beds using timber retaining walls
Provide a gate and fence to screen necessary utility area for dustbins etc
Break up the patio area by using some small units to add texture, which also suggest a "route" to the bike shed
A timber arch near the kitchen window will frame the view, and have a colourful climber to add to the scene.
A new compost area, with two timber bays tucked near an existing tree with a paved access means that it can be easily reached, turned, and emptied into a wheelbarrow, when ready to use.

Colourful planting includes grasses for height and texture, and shrubs including Buddleia, Cistus, Hydrangea, and Daphne. Perennials include Geranium Psilostemon, Lobelia, Asters, Phlox, , Geranium Rozanne, Sedum, Echinacea, Alchemilla Mollis, Erysimum Bowles Mauve, Wisteria, Clematis, Bright pink Jasmine.

Lots of pinks and purples will flower from now until October

Shady border with Evergreen Camelia (red), Sarcococca Confusa for winter scent,
Anemone September Charm, Astilbe. Red Primula for spring colour.
Towards the back a Griselinia Hedge will screen the new compost area.

Entering the garden from the side gate. The pergola with have Golden Hop growing over it all summer.
Easy route with plenty of space to the bike shed in the corner. The path at the shed is edged with
Lavender to one side, and Oregano to the other side.

Next to the raised vegetable beds, a new storage area where "stuff" can be hidden from view.

The new patio area, broken up with smaller units to add texture and suggest a path to the bike shed.
The planting along the back wall is full of brightly coloured plants, which will transform the garden during the summer months.

Purple Anemone for spring colour. Will disappear amongst the perennials in a few weeks
and the space taken over by Phlox, Sedum, Verbena, Penstemon to name a few

The shady border, where Red is the spring colour but will be
replaced by pink flowering Dicentra, Astilbe, Aquilegia and 'Fuschia

Amongst some tree roots, Euphorbia Robbiae will find its way, along with
Geranium Macrorrhizum

Bright Pink Anemone with Stipa Tenuissima Pony Tails. The Anemone will die back
and be replaced by bright pink Lobelia just coming though the soil now

BEFORE....