The garden is below the level of the drive with steps leading to the front door and terraced borders to one side.  The area is therefore shaded, and rainwater collected on the rather dull concrete paving that had to be power washed several times a year.  We lifted the paving and put down a weed membrane before using Chard Flint gravel to cover the area.  A path was created to the front door using Dalian Rustic Riven Slate paving from Mandarin Stone in Clifton.  The area now drains better and looks more attractive with copper/rust coloured pots and containers picking up the colours in the stones.

After having an extension built, the back garden had become somewhat neglected and overgrown.  It is still work in progress but the overgrown shrubs and trees have been pruned and reshaped, and the weeds, brambles and overgrown ivy removed.  The next stage is to finalise the new planting.

The clients run a wellbeing business and wanted a pleasant space for their clients to sit.  The fencing needed replacing and we added trellis to increase the privacy.  The fences and trellis were painted a mid grey to enhance the lovely stonework in the walls; grey is also a good background colour for the green of the plants.  There a number of overgrown shrubs and a border in need of a serious weeding.  We planted a section of herbs and other medicinal plants to create a healing  theme.

This garden has yet to be built as the client has been undertaking significant building work.  The garden had become untended and presented some challenges in terms of slopes and differing levels, not helped by building put into the garden for the extension.  There is a large area that wraps around the side of the house so the concept plan creates different areas.  Immediately to the rear of the house a sunken patio with a rill running down the steps has been designed.  The plan envisages that the side area is developed as a more informal area with wildlife pond and meadow planting.  A small discreet area that catches the morning sun will have a ‘zen’ feel using water, rocks and gravel as well as Oriental style planting.