Set in Gipsy Hill, this is the elongated back garden of a Victorian family home. To  make it a more inviting space, the garden was divided along its length and a pergola designed to run across the midpoint. Underneath the pergola, Pittosporums were trimmed into boxes and laid out among wildflowers. This also served to give the children’s play area a space of its own.

The clients are keen gardeners and were eager to keep many of the existing plants so a planting plan was devised to complement them. Evergreens were incorporated to enhance the garden’s structure. Flowering perennials and annuals change the feel of the garden through the seasons.

The side return was an important section as it provides a focal point from the dining room. Green walls were designed for this, as well as bamboo planted in troughs. The view from the dining room towards the garden was framed by the position of the lateral beds and the pergola.