From the drawing board

Last week I presented three different concept designs to a residents association in Leatherhead who are looking to improve the entrance to their estate.  The area in question is a large grass verge area which is currently quite overgrown.

The area is also home to three large and unattractive Lime Trees which have been pruned really badly over the years.  The decision has already been made to remove the trees, but they now want some help to replace them with something more appropriate.  We agreed that I would offer them three different concept design ideas to consider.

It wasn’t until I surveyed the plot that I realised just how big it is, almost as big as my garden in fact, so I felt that each design should allow movement through the space as well as provide a welcoming entrance to the estate.

Concept One

Concept one is the most formal.  This scheme links back to the brick and flint arches that are positioned either side of the road as you enter the estate.  The archways at the back of the area mirror the entrance but also provide a frame for a bench seat.

The pathways are informal but allow movement around the space and will make maintenance easier. The planting would be low and structural, with some topiary to mirror a large clipped Yew in the garden of a neighbouring house.

Concept Two

Concept two is simpler in design, with the main feature being an ornamental tree in the middle of the plot.  This would be something that offers interest all year round, blossom in the spring, good autumn colour and nice bark for winter interest.

Again, the pathways allow residents to walk through the space.  The planting would be low maintenance, but interesting and predominantly evergreen for year round interest.

Concept Three

Concept three is the least formal.  Three ornamental trees would be planted with woodland style informal planting.  The trees would be more appropriate for the space, something like Betula utilis var. jacquemontii which has amazing white bark, or Prunus serrula which has gorgeous mahogany bark.

What happens now?

All three designs were presented at a recent meeting and the decision has been made at this stage to take out the Lime trees initially and then clear the site.  This will allow them time to consider all three options and establish which scheme best fits in with all the residents.

So, I have been “stood down” for now but will look forward to hearing from them when they’re ready to move on to the next stage.

I ran my first workshop at The Decor Cafe yesterday which was lots of fun.  It’s always great to meet people who are passionate enough about their gardens to want to create it themselves. Read more

I presented the planting design and construction costs to my client in Leatherhead last week and we should be all ready to start the build phase of the project in March. Read more

I went to see a new client in North London before Christmas because they wanted some help to improve the front of their house.  Front gardens can often be challenging because they are predominantly functional spaces, but they must also provide curb appeal because they are the window to your home. Read more

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The run up to Christmas is always a bit crazy isn’t it!?  There was a moment last week when I didn’t quite know how I was going to get everything done, but I’m now really looking forward to spending some time with my family at the only time of the year when everyone takes some time out. Read more

The front garden of my Wandsworth project has been finished for a couple of weeks, but as it was so dark by the time I’d finished the planting, I wasn’t able to take any photographs. Read more

I presented the concept design to a client in Walton-on-Thames last week and I am now working on the final drawings so that we can go out to tender for the build phase of the project. Read more

I went back to my project in Sutton yesterday and it’s looking really fabulous, even if I do say so myself! The planting has filled out so much in a year and it’s really starting to feel as though it’s no longer a new garden. Read more

I just looked back at my October highlights and saw all the photographs from our holiday in Cyprus – it sure feels a while since we got back, but I guess that’s the thing with holidays, they soon become what seems like a distant memory! Read more