That's Better!

This client had recently downsized to a smaller house and garden. She brought with her a pretty Arbor Seat. The garden has a lovely brick wall on two sides.  My original design had the arbor facing across the garden, next to the shed and subdividing the garden, so that more of the garden was to be "discovered". The client however wanted her arbor face on, so plan B was developed. She is delighted with the outcome. And of course it will look fabulous over the next year or two.

THE BRIEF

• Use existing Arbour Seat
• New shed for storage (painted Lilac)
• Keep plastic compost bin
• Raised bed for herbs and salads (for her to plant herself)
• Use a pair of existing matching square planters with white Hydrangea, within the design
• Work with existing patio space
• Plenty of scent, including favourite Rose "Joie de Vivre"
• A long wish list of plants

THE SOLUTION

• Position shed with door facing away from view of house.with access path behind it
• Put compost bin behind shed (out of sight of house), accessible from new path
• Position raised herb bed next to patio for ease of access.
• Include small storage area next to side gate with gate to screen dustbins, recycling etc, but planting around it, to provide greenery
• Advice on which plants on her wish list were appropriate, provided a good starting point, with more of my recommendations added
• Green and silver foliage plants, with dark accents from Sambus, Acer Palmatum Garnet, Heuchera, Sedum Touchdown Teak, and Cimicifuga Brunette.

The garden now looks so much more interesting. The existing lawn needs a good feed and weed, and rain, and in time the fences will be clothed with climbers including Solanium, Passiflora, Trachelospermum Jasminoides, Honeysuckle, Hydrangea Petiolaris, Clematis Montana, Climbing Iceberg Rose, as well as several blue and deep purple clematis.

(BEFORE PHOTOS AT THE END)

Small storage area hidden behind gate and trellis. Box hedging will be clipped into shape in this narrow border,
and an evergreen Jasmine will climb through the trellis, providing scent in  mid summer. On the left
is the shadier side of the garden, where Hydrangea, Camelia, Sambucas and Acer shrubs are interspersed with
perennial Phlox, Euphorbia Palustris, Fuschia, Dicentra Spectabilis, and deep pink Astrantia Claret. 

Geranium "Laura" looks pretty next to the dark leaves of  Acer Palmatum Dissectum Garnet,
and also against the Lavender colour of the painted shed.

Clematis will be trained to climb the end elevation of the shed

Rose "Joie de Vivre" budding up nicely in the raised bed. The client will fill this bed with
herbs and salad crops, and enjoy the Rose next to the patio.

The Arbor seat with pots of white Hydrangea either side.  The sunny side of the garden has Rose, Heuchera, Penstemon, Sedums, Stipa Tenuissima grasses,Miscanthus Morning Light, Verbena, Echinacea, silvery Artemisia Powis Castle, and silver Lamium. The silvery theme continues with a Pittosporum Silver Queen which in time will fill the back corner, and a  Magnolia Susan will provide central height and spring interest.

The view from the arbour seat to the left, will soon be full of soft colour with Alchemilla, Penstemon, Echinacea, Sedum,
Erigeron Profusion, Catananche, and blue Geranium Rozanne.

BEFORE......