The owners were keen gardeners but their outside space was not working.
They requested a terrace and a seating space so that they could make more use of the garden.
An Indian sandstone terrace was laid to lead the eye towards the new seating area.
Here, a large cantilevered bench was built into a retaining wall, providing a perfect spot to enjoy the garden. The retaining wall also incorporates a small pond with a fountain, and a large raised bed. The raised bed provided an area for abundant textural planting.
The focal point was a beautiful Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ with large purple heart-shaped leaves. Surrounding the Cercis, and selected to provide colour throughout the season, is a fusion of perennials with flowers in muted shades or red, orange and yellow.
The left hand border was planted for foliage interest in a ‘black and white’ theme. Finally, a decked walkway leads to a small, hidden, pebbled area where swaying grasses add to the mystery of this area and their delicate shadows reflect onto the back, rendered wall. The garden was planting in September 2004.