New home, new family garden

The solution was an innovative layout that maximises the space and places a new circular seating area in a sunny spot. Brick edging to the paving and path provides greater definition and leads the eye in a curving sweep to create an illusion of space and a flow to the garden.

Pleached ornamental pear trees, Pyrus ‘Chanticleer, are planted to give privacy from neighbouring properties and a variety of evergreen and flowering shrubs, climbers and perennials provide interest and colour and help to screen the boundary fencing.

To maximise the budget, some of the existing patio paving was lifted and re-used to extend the children’s play area and a bespoke playhouse was designed and built to create shade and keep toys tidy. A free-standing vegetable bed was installed near the kitchen window to give a fun way to introduce children to gardening.

On-going maintenance is kept to a minimum with the choice of planting and an irrigation system consisting of controlled drip-lines in the beds and pop-up sprinklers in the lawn.

The overall effect is modern, clean and tidy whilst still having distinct areas of interest for grown-ups and children to enjoy all year round.