Garden Designers & Landscape Gardeners
Garden Buildings in South & East England
The City Walled Garden
The Real Garden Company provided lots of advice and personal attention to detail to make sure that the garden was exactly what we wanted, and that the design took account of our preferences and our budget. Infinite care was taken with the build and planting, and helpful advice has been provided since the work was finished about the aftercare of the plants, all of excellent quality, and establishing well. We think our garden now looks pretty special!
These photos were taken just after construction was finished. Most of the plants have yet to settle in and mature so you can see more gravel than would usually be visable. We adapted to budget changes during the design and construction of this project and as a result the planting was reduced and will be developed with the client in future seasons, having already made a few additions in the months since completion.
We believe that good design is about maximising our clients resources and adapting to their circumstances, which may change at any time during the project. This is especially true when building work is being carried out. We have found that large property developing companies and individuals alike need to make adjustments such as this and pride ourselves on making positive responses to the needs of our clients in these circumstances.
Without sacrificing the integrity of the design we were able to change the style of the path, cut out third and fourth small patios and reduce the amount and maturity of planting in this garden. We were still able to achieve the big changes in ground level, requiring the use of 7 tonnes of natural stone, and the essential sitting areas close to the house. We were able to keep the curvaceous paths and steps, finish the surfaces with maintenance saving ground cover sheet and gravel and plant the key plants.
A Garden On Two Levels.
These photos show the stepping stone path on the top level and the red patio on the lower level of the garden. We needed to build a wall behind the patio to retain the garden which naturally sloped down towards the house. Instead of using brick or sleepers we used rockery stone so that we could easily achieve a curve to match the patio. Being so close to the patio doors it was important that the wall compliment the sandstone patio and provide much visual detail and interest. The rocks in this stone wall will grow moss, change colour when dry or wet, woodland plants and ferns will grow out from between them. It will be a living wall.
In the right hand photo you may be able to see some bamboo planted on each side of the gate at the back of the garden. Within one or at most two seasons this will block out the view of the rooves beyond and give the garden a protected micro climate. In the foreground of this photo we plan to plant a pair of dwarf Japanese Maples as focal points for the whole raised level. We will also add other plants that will drape over the stones. In the left hand photo you can see the segmental shapes of the stepping stones giving rise to the curves of the path. With the planned planting in this area you will not be able to see 80% of the gravel now visible.
Maximum Curves And Circles.
At RGC we try to understand our clients lifestyles when designing their gardens. We take into account their daily environment, their preferences for holiday locations, how they realx, socialise and many other factors. One of the most common 'lifestyle ailments' our clients need alleviation from, is the urban environment - the straight lines, hard edges and surfaces, grey, white and black, unnatural daily city surroundings. It is our duty as designers to build as much therapy into our work as possible, and provide an environment that is the polar opposite to the urban environment.
In this photograph the only non natural material you can see in the garden is the mortar used to point between the paving slabs, the only straight lines are those of some of the slabs, some are cut to have curving edges. Unusually the extension of this house (around the patio in the distance) is curved, which has an important effect on the garden. The curvature of the house wall makes this corner of the garden feel intimate and enclosed. It creates the feeling of a courtyard. We situated our patio to reflect the curvature of the wall and take a central position in the 'Palm Court', as it will be known when the four Trachycarpus fortunei palms around the patio mature.
The curves of the stepping stone paths between the two patios add to the fluiditiy of the shapes in the garden; the circular patios and the curving rockery stone wall. Paths close to the house need to be practical and provide a direct route between the house doors opening into the garden; in this case no less than four doors and one gate exiting the garden. The curvature of the paths here is derived from the shape of the upper level of the garden, and the wall retaining it. They are not random shapes or squiggley lines made up on a drawing board, but are linked to the overall form and structure of the garden.
Two circles are better than one. In a small garden it is good to create different sitting areas that take advantage of the different hours of sunlight, views or position in relation to the house. Here the red patio in the foreground is quite shady and is close to the woodland stone wall. It is more suited to a brief stop for a cup of tea, being just outside the main patio doors. The green patio in the distance is larger and gets sunlight in the afternoon and evening, this is more suited to entertaining. A bench and some seats to be added to the back of the garden will provide further seating during the day to read or stop off further away from the house.
