A very challenging brief for a small front garden design with a big wish list.
The following was required within 6 1⁄2 square metres:
● Store the bins, but hidden from sight
● Plant a tree
● Have a hard surface
● Soften the boundary with the neighbours
● Create space to store a bike
This small front garden design had a huge client wish list: The bins were not to be seen from the house, nor did they want the bin collectors to enter the small front garden. They wanted a tree and as much planting space as possible, while still having a hard standing area and bike post to park their bikes.
As such, this design was a great exercise in combining beauty with functionality, a challenge I really enjoyed. I gave a hard landscape as requested – a black limestone paving area, softened with careful planting choices. A space-saving bike dock was built into this area.
I also softened the boundaries, using Ceanothus (California Lilac) Concha on one side and a willow hurdle woven with Trachelospermum Jasminoides (Jasmine) on the other. The Jasmine emitted its gorgeous scent on hot Summer evenings.
I chose a betula pendula (silver birch) tree, for several reasons – most crucially its non-tenacious root system (meaning it won’t interfere with the foundations of the home). It also reaches up as far as the first floor, so that – in line with the clients’ wishes – beautiful leaves, rather than the houses opposite can be seen from the bedroom window.
Small London Front Garden
A very challenging brief for a small front garden design with a big wish list.
The following was required within 6 1⁄2 square metres:
● Store the bins, but hidden from sight
● Plant a tree
● Have a hard surface
● Soften the boundary with the neighbours
● Create space to store a bike
This small front garden design had a huge client wish list: The bins were not to be seen from the house, nor did they want the bin collectors to enter the small front garden. They wanted a tree and as much planting space as possible, while still having a hard standing area and bike post to park their bikes.
As such, this design was a great exercise in combining beauty with functionality, a challenge I really enjoyed. I gave a hard landscape as requested – a black limestone paving area, softened with careful planting choices. A space-saving bike dock was built into this area.
I also softened the boundaries, using Ceanothus (California Lilac) Concha on one side and a willow hurdle woven with Trachelospermum Jasminoides (Jasmine) on the other. The Jasmine emitted its gorgeous scent on hot Summer evenings.
I chose a betula pendula (silver birch) tree, for several reasons – most crucially its non-tenacious root system (meaning it won’t interfere with the foundations of the home). It also reaches up as far as the first floor, so that – in line with the clients’ wishes – beautiful leaves, rather than the houses opposite can be seen from the bedroom window.
Before
After
Gallery