A Modern Family Garden Design Southgate London

The client has lived with her husband and 2 children at the property for a number of years. She works from home and has a garden office at the end of the garden. The garden is split into two levels – the area directly adjoining the house is on one level and the remainder of the garden on another (raised) level. The client recently had an extension built to accommodate a kitchen and this has compromised the usefulness of the small lower section of the space, as there is now not a lot of room for seating. The majority of the garden is laid to lawn and is generally well kept and the client is not particularly keen to change the rest of the space. She does however wish to create a sociable area to accommodate a fair number of visitors. She prefers soft curves to angles and would like something modern and fresh.

The main focal point of the garden two semi-circular rendered block raised beds, finished at both ends with built-in circular planters and painted a colour of the client’s choice. The floor surfacing within the arc of each bed will be a 3 metre black limestone paving circle. The left hand raised bed will face directly across the garden, while the right hand raised bed, which will also benefit from an integrated curved bench seat, will be angled so that it faces the corner of the kitchen extension.

Curved terraced steps, constructed from attractive Yellow Balau hardwood decking and designed to accommodate the change of level in the space, will join the two raised beds. Flooring in the lower section adjoining the house will be in black limestone paving in a random lay pattern. A feature of the lower section of the garden will be a kidney-shaped daybed, also constructed from durable Yellow Balau decking. Three tall tapered fibreglass planters lined along the side wall, over which three printed weatherproof canvas will be displayed, will add further interest and colour to the space.

A curved path, laid with black limestone paving, will arc up the garden, bisecting a large area of Yellow Balau decking to the right and an oval lawn to the left, to terminate in a third 3m diameter black limestone circle in front of the existing summer house in the top left corner of the space. Bespoke decorative screens, comprising large rusted mesh panels on timber posts, installed towards the end of the path will add height and screening to the end of the garden.

Latin Name Common NameAcer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ Japanese MapleAcer palmatum var. dissectum 'Garnet' Japanese MapleAconitum nepellus MonkshoodAllium christophii Ornamental onionAllium 'Mount Everest' Ornamental onionAnemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert' Japanese AnemoneAstrtantia major MaterwortBuxus sempervirens Box ballBuxus sempervirens Box ballCamellia japonica 'Nobilissima' CamelliaCordyline australis Cabbage TreeClematis armandii ClematisClematis montana var.grandiflora ClematisClematis var. purpurascens 'freckles' ClematisDryopteris erythrosora Buckle FernEchinacea purpurea ConeflowerFestuca Glauca 'Elijah Blue' Blue FescueGeum 'Prinses Juliana' AvensHeuchera 'Obsidian' Coral BellsHeuchera 'Chocolate Ruffles' Coral BellsHydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris HydrangeaIris 'Jane Phillips' IrisLavandula angustifolia 'hidcote' LavenderPapaver orientale'Beauty of Livermere' Ornamental PoppyPennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' Fountain GrassPittosporum tobira ‘Nana’ Japanese Mock OrangePhormium tenax New Zealand FlaxSedum spectabile 'Brilliant' Ice PlantStipa tenuissima Mexican Feather GrassVerbena bonariensis Verbena
Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of Landscape Juice Network to add comments!

Join Landscape Juice Network

Open forum activity

Ben Hattersley replied to Ben Hattersley's discussion Pricing for School grounds maintenance
"Yes it seems to be mine field! The school arent happy with the current contractors and to be honest i wouldn't be either. The main concerns of the school are that they are paying for the contract but very little gets done.
Because i try stay away…"
5 hours ago
Jim Mileman is now a member of Landscape Juice Network
8 hours ago
Honey Badger replied to John F's discussion Cherry Blossom Tree
"Can't say I've ever seen silver leaf in 22 yrs because I don't prune prunus in the winter. The only dease I've seen on cherry is a die back due to old age. With exception a fungal thing that was poor soil related and did recommend to customer not to…"
16 hours ago
Noel Dempsey replied to John F's discussion Cherry Blossom Tree
"It's not advised to prune cherry trees until the weather is warmer to prevent disease."
yesterday
John F replied to John F's discussion Service Schedule Stihl Cordless Hedge Trimmer ?
"Many Thanks everyone . Sorted now , just removed the 4 torx screws and lifted gear box cover , original grease a bit dried out so cleaned it up removed debris and re greased gears .
Screwed cover back on and works as it should .
A nice…"
Monday
Billybop replied to John F's discussion Service Schedule Stihl Cordless Hedge Trimmer ?
"hi John yes its definitely a diy job to me, and i am not mechanically minded whatsoever. The higher end HSA trimmers have actual greasing points where you take the bolt out and put the grease in. The less expensive models you unscrew the plastic…"
Sunday
Greg is now a member of Landscape Juice Network
Sunday
Honey Badger replied to John F's discussion Service Schedule Stihl Cordless Hedge Trimmer ?
"I think ap range you just rub a bit of grease on the cogs every 16hrs. The combi heads I fill up with grease a few times a year, was recommended to me by a stihl engineer. In the winter I clean out all the old grease. I sharpen my hedge cutters with…"
Sunday
Graham Taylor replied to John F's discussion Service Schedule Stihl Cordless Hedge Trimmer ?
"I'm sure this is just a trick to extort money form customers.  As said, the gearbox will need greasing periodically and the blades sharpening with an angle grinder now and then .   They have these ridiculous checklists that say for example, "check…"
Sunday
Peter Davis replied to John F's discussion Service Schedule Stihl Cordless Hedge Trimmer ?
"I don't have the battery one but on both my stihl combi hedgecutter & another battery one, I remove the gearbox cover every few weeks & grease all the gears & bearings.
I don't trust the grease nipple system & removing the cover allows a general…"
Sunday
Intelligent Gardening replied to Ben Hattersley's discussion Pricing for School grounds maintenance
"and he can bid for other contracts once he has the set up."
Sunday
John F replied to John F's discussion Service Schedule Stihl Cordless Hedge Trimmer ?
"Hi Billy That's a good point greasing the gears , essential I should imagine , I wonder if it's a DIY job . ?  
Thanks never considered this ."
Saturday
Billybop replied to John F's discussion Service Schedule Stihl Cordless Hedge Trimmer ?
"hi John never had any stihl AK only the AP stuff, I can imagine greasing the gears but apart from sharpening blades as you say, what is there to service really, probably more of a checklist they tick off"
Saturday
John F posted a discussion
Just curious I have purchased most of my cordless machines on line so had no reminders to have it serviced and it all runs fine .One machine I purchased from a supplier dealer with a showroom and it's perfect for light trimming no problems at all a…
Saturday
Andrew Towell and Steve Oakley joined Landscape Juice Network
Saturday
Miro Lazarini replied to Ben Hattersley's discussion Pricing for School grounds maintenance
"Well said Ben Carter. We do some schools in Sw London and these are just fillers, not much money to make as the schools budgets gets smaller and smaller. What I do now is I give my price with good margins and if I get  the contract, good, if not I'm…"
Saturday
More…