Garden 1 - A Small garden in Oxted

Often when new houses are built, the last thing that builders consider is the garden. Their main brief seems to be finding ways of burying left over building materials, ignore the garden plans, make sure the profit margins are kept up and finally to get out quick!

How do you convert a bodged garden with a sloping lawn and the requisite minimal patio into something that is enjoyable, wonderful to sit in and is also well designed at every level?

The remit for this design was to build a garden on three levels to be divided by retaining walls. Although there are separate levels in the garden, each one interacts with another to create a functional, yet integrated design, well within the budget of most families.

The top level has been designed for the whole family to enjoy sunny days on a patio with planting overheads and a circular lawn. The area is completed with summer planting.

The middle level comprises mainly foliage planting with at its centre, a Phoenix palm. An ascending path bisects the two planting areas.

The bottom level includes a spacious morning patio. The so important storage shed is tucked away to avoid too much attention. From the patio, the path starts its ascent up the garden..

All hard surfaces on paths and patios are synchronised and finished off with brick edging to complete a well-balanced garden. Planting is varied and has been chosen for all year round display.

Garden 2 - Large family Garden, Burgess Hill

A family garden becomes exciting, when it caters for both young and old. There ought be a space for recreation for those who still have the energy and there should be a place to reminisce away from the hurly-burly of others carried along on the fast track. There also should be borders to savour and enjoy plants throughout the year.

This garden is now four years old and has all the bearings of a mature garden. The planting now fully complements the paths and patios. The large lawn is enjoyed by the all the family. The secluded patios provide solace for those seeking refuge away from the teaming masses.

The garden is lavishly planted with a wide selection of trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials and grasses.

Trees such as Catalpa Aurea, Silver birches, Amelanchiers and Liquidamber play an important part in linking up the smaller plants. Evergreen and deciduous shrubs sustain our interest throughout the year, even in the coldest months of winter. Extensive flower borders, paths and patios fit around a circular lawn.

The initial crazy paving paths in Yorkstone, have been extended to the new semi-circular patio and secluded patio further away from the house. This style of paving still looks good when you use the best materials with excellent pointing.