Walled Garden, St Johns
The brief was to create a garden with Mediterranean planting including herbs. The Clients wanted to include a Lounge Zone and a Play Zone for their young son.
The garden was divided into two separate zones, the Gravel Garden which includes a Lounge Zone, then a Play Zone at the rear end of the garden. These areas needed to work with the existing lower level terrace and courtyard which had been built by their builder before they moved into the house.
Gravel Garden : Borders with feature planting built with brown steel and Scandinavian treated timber create a tranquil view from the lower terrace and house. Four specimen trees were planted strategically to block out views from neighbouring flats and a summerhouse.
Play Zone: A play area for the Clients' young son was created using play bark, this area can change over time as their son develops new hobbies and interests. The existing Wendy House was moved to the area and stained dark green to tie in with the existing trellis and side gate. A bespoke oak swing was built in the gravel area. When the clients' son grows out of the swing we can train climbers over the oak posts to create a pergola.
We used natural materials: Cotswold pebbles and timber to keep the design timeless. The pebbles provide excellent drainage as well as complementing the architecture of the Victorian house, the beautiful walls which surround the garden and the existing terrace tiles.
We planted a mixture of native and non native plants to create a sustainable garden with good biodiversity. Low maintenance hardy Mediterranean plants feature in the sunny areas of the garden. We planted softer tones of flowering perennials to complement the house interior. The colour scheme changes throughout the seasons.
I was lucky enough to have Nicola lead the design and build of our garden project in SE London. I contacted her after seeing (and loving) another garden she had designed nearby. Thanks to Nicola’s vision, we have transformed a dark, turfed, and barely used space into a much loved, thriving Mediterranean themed garden with pebble walkways, raised beds and a play area for our son.
I have very little knowledge of plants and design, and am time poor, and Nicola was the perfect garden designer - listening carefully to the brief for the garden, taking a detailed survey and doing research, before sharing a very detailed presentation of ideas. Her knowledge of plants is unrivalled, and I love her style (using soft, beautiful planting to create a look which isn’t too formal and is interesting year-round). Over a couple of meetings we decided on the design and she was so helpful in making excellent recommendations for every aspect of the garden, and even helping with choice of outdoor furniture etc. She knew exactly what would work perfectly for the space.
Nicola was fantastic at all stages. She has an excellent network and recommended professionals to help with the build (tree surgeons, garden builders, landscape gardeners) and was on site to supervise the work. Nicola has incredible attention to detail and very high standards for her work - which meant I could completely trust her to oversee the build and planting which was an enormous help. She is an excellent communicator and very proactive.
Our garden has thrived in the months since planting and Nicola has been so kind and supportive with our gardener and in answering queries. She genuinely cares about her projects and their progress.
Nicola is absolutely first class at what she does, and also delightful to work with. I would wholeheartedly recommend Nicola as a garden designer and am so grateful to her for our beautiful garden. I am excited to plant our spring bulbs later this year!
Isabel, St Johns
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The garden had already been hard landscaped, I was asked to create a planting design for this small courtyard garden.
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