A narrow, wraparound garden that required transforming into a usable, private outdoor space that would also deliver visual pleasure to the owner all year round.

A pergola was added to the narrow side return to make it into a more inviting contained space between indoors and outdoors. A meandering path created a sectioned journey from the house to the small garden studio at the bottom, with the lines of the borders offset to dissolve the boundaries defined by the half-height old brick walls.

Having travelled widely in South America, the client was excited by the prospect of using interesting plants such as aeoniums. Spotlighting draws out the highly-textured surfaces and accentuates the water, while showcasing dramatic plants such as trachycarpus and dicksonia. Cannas and ginger lilies add a splash of colour, and evergreen flowering creepers star jasmine and clematis are delicately draped over vertical spaces.

Mirrors, a corten water bowl and soft lighting are the finishing touches to create an atmosphere of tranquility and escape.