My clients, a lovely Portuguese family, have a love for cooking and entertaining outside and wished to a create a garden which enabled them to indulge in these activities, whilst still retaining the feel of a garden, with as much planting as possible. I envisioned this as a Mediterranean Courtyard.
Originally imagined by my clients as a container garden, I recommended that lifting some of the exsiting paving to create flower beds would create more favourable planting conditions allowing for a greater range of plants.
The main challenge with this design, was how to include as many of my clients 'must haves' in a compact courtyard space, whilst also ensuring easy movement around the garden and maximising the planting.
Vertical planting space will be optimised with Cedar batten fencing on the right hand boundary and batten trellis above the existing brick walls, which will be painted a soft white to keep the feel of the garden light and airy. The house, existing back gates and bin stores will also be painted in a soft white.
A pebble coloured aluminuium Pergola with a louvred roof ensures that my client can cook, eat and entertain in all weathers and will be the hub of the garden.
In reference to my client's Portuguese heritage, a Portugeuse tiled raised bed incorporating a cedar cantilever bench has been positioned against the back wall to increase the feeling of seclusion under the pergola. This will be planted with fragrant climbers and herbacous perennials spilling over the edges of the raised bed.
The bbq will be sited on the right side of the garden over the newly created steps, allowing for easier passage between the kitchen and garden.
Planting will be predominantly drought tolerant Mediterranean gravel planting, in reference to my client's background and self seeding varieties will be encouraged to create an everchanging picture.
An Olea Europea will have the dual purpose of screening the back gates from the house view and providing a stunning focal point from the house and the dining area.
I look foward to seeing this garden come to life next year.
Watch this space.
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