Garden Design - Liverpool Street, London EC2
The design is based on a series of circles of various sizes, which will be linked together by way of a meandering crazy paved slate pathway. The first, and smallest, circle will take the form of a crazy paved slate patio directly in front of the French Windows at the end of the sideway. This shall measure approximately 5ft in diameter, will be edged with half slate tiles to create a clean edge, and is designed to accommodate a café style table and chairs from which to take morning coffee in relative seclusion From this area the slate pathway, also edged in half slate tiles, will wind down the sideway until it reaches the end of the house, where it will curve off to the right to join a second, larger (approx. 9ft), crazy paved circular patio in the area directly in front of the kitchen doors. From this second paved area, the pathway will wind left and continue up the garden to meet the final, and largest (approx. 15ft), circle. Unlike the first two circles, the third disc will not be paved with slate but will instead take the form of a ring of half slate tiles enclosing an area of lawn. This could be used for more formal dining occasions and would offer enough space to house a BBQ or chiminea as well as decorative pots and miscellaneous Victorian ephemera.
The lawn, paths and paved areas will be bounded on both sides by flush beds, which will feature a dynamic planting palette of principally blues and purples, enlivened with the occasional flush of pink. Dense clusters of flowering perennials will stand against a backdrop of evergreen shrubs, including specimen plants such as Betula Pendula, 'Prunus Amanogawa' and 'Acer palmatum var. dissectum' chosen to add a touch of drama to the space. The circular theme is echoed in the planting scheme with the inclusion of both standard and low-level topiary balls. As well as adding structure to the border, these will also serve to offset the sliver and plum leafed foliage, and will infuse the garden with a sense of style, ceremony and flair. The garden will also be given a practical slant with the inclusion of a herb garden containing both culinary and medicinal herbs. This will be situated close to the kitchen door for ease of use.
The boundary to the left of the space will be replaced with 4ft fence panels topped with 2ft trellises ( the first two panels nearest the house will be 6ft tall for added privacy). A 6ft x 4ft shed will be erected bottom left of the garden, and will be masked by, and integrated into, the planting. The shed, and all fences (both new and existing), will be stained a dark shade of brown to create an attractive and unobtrusive canvas to the flora and foliage.