Suburban GARDEN
North London
2022 | complete
An interesting yet easy-to-maintain garden in suburban London.
Different zones, including two terraces, make the most of this garden and its charming views over local allotments.
Garden Design brief
I was commissioned to create a design that incorporated two new patios, one directly off the house and the other at the end of the garden overlooking the allotments below.
The design also had to work around an existing garage that the client wished to keep.
Drawing the eye through the garden
To create more of a sense of space and width within the garden I designed undulating borders that draw your eye from side to side rather than straight down to the end as the previous strip border along the fence had done (see ‘before’ photo below).
The garden before works began.
After planting
Textural and scented planting
The planting focused on creating a rich tapestry of textures, including lots of different ferns and soft mounds of Japanese forest grass that would add movement to the garden throughout the seasons.
The planting also includes a selection of scented plants including Sarcococca, Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’, Trachelospermum jasminoides, Rosa ‘Desdemona’ and Lavender.
3d Garden walk-through
To help my clients understand the garden design, and give a sense of how it would feel to be in the space, I made a video walk-through.
Rosa 'Desdemona' for scent.
Establishing texture.
One year after planting textures have established.
Connecting garden and Landscape
I created a new focal point at the end of the garden by planting a Swedish birch; Betula pendula ‘Dalecarlica’.
This is an elegant tree with a light and airy silhouette that won’t block the view too much and will create some attractive dappled shade in the garden and connect the garden to the landscape beyond.
A bespoke pergola in powder coated aluminium was designed for the bottom terrace, which will support climbing roses and a grape vine.
Both patios were laid with Mirage sawn sandstone from suppliers London Stone, giving the garden a crisp contemporary feel.
Sawn sandstone gives a crisp finish to the terraces.
Sketch visualisation of new terrace overlooking allotments.
“Maeve designed and oversaw the landscaping of my fantastic new garden. She really understood my preferences and matched these with a suitable layout and choice of plants.
I enjoy the different seasonal colours that Maeve considered and, as a result, will spend more time in the garden appreciating it.”