My first design commission during lock down started with a Virtual Design Consultation with my clients using Zoom. They had sent me some photographs and a floor plan of their balcony on the corner plot of a new riverside apartment block and we discussed the brief and their likes and dislikes.
Key to the brief was the choice of planting. The balcony, which is South facing on one side and East facing on the other is quite windy and exposed. The other key considerations were the safety of a toddler who needed to be able to play on the balcony and two cats.
My solution is a simple but bold design which complements the contemporary architecture and blue tiled pillars. Large corten steel coloured planters will be placed, to allow for easy movement around the balcony, and will be planted with wind and sun tolerant plants including an Olive tree underplanted with Agapanthus, Lavendar and creeping Rosemary and a pom shaped topiary tree on the Eastern balcony. The planting on the Eastern side is supplemented by evergreen shrubs Sarcococca, and Skimmia confusa with the colourful flowers of Bergenia Eroica.
Storage is provided by two metal boxes either end of the balcony and a foldable bamboo sunlounger is sited on the South facing balcony in front of a driftwood and metal sculpture commissioned by my clients.
I look forward to creating this garden in the coming weeks.