Post category: Small Suburban Garden

 

Assessment

 

High walls (1.8 m), garden faces west, not overlooked.

 

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Case Study No. 7
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Hard landscaping:

 

The garden is in two parts; a slightly raised (20 cm) terrace paved with 40 cm square concrete slabs, and a lower area of stone paving with a formal pool and raised (15 cm) borders with low retaining wall of the same height. A low balustrade (60 cm) of concrete divides the two areas; two ten centimetre steps provide access.

At the end of the garden facing the terrace across the pool is a small loggia. Trellis fence on either side of the loggia hides service areas. Some containers relieve the flat, hardness of the paved area. Hidden floodlighting and white lights under water for dramatic night-time effect.

 

Planting:

 

Two columnar trees emphasise the lines of the pool, loggia and straight borders. Two others, on clean stems, have rounded crowns to contrast. The borders have a mixture of small shrubs, perennial flowers and a lot of bulbs for year-round interest. The pots on the paved area have colourful annuals and a few more permanent plants. Climbers decorate the walls and make use of the vertical space.

 

Garden style:

 

A very formal style with strong symmetry, the informality of plants providing strong contrast. A lot of hard materials – paving, balustrade and loggia providing a great deal of interest and setting off plants well.

 

Maintenance and cost:

 

Easily maintained when established; some watering. Expensive; loggia, formal pool, paving, balustrade, lighting.

 

Assessment:

 

Wooden fences (1.8 m high), sloping ground (fall 1 in 50), garden faces west, overlooked.

 

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Case Study No. 6
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Hard landscaping:

 

A low (20 cm) retaining wall built of broken concrete slabs, and capped with halved slabs, divides the garden. The soil excavated from the paved area was used to terrace the lawn area above. The area of 40 cm square concrete paving slabs was laid diamond pattern for ornamental interest.

Some beds of various sizes have been made by not paving out to the boundary. A flight of two (10 cm) steps has been made with the same paving slabs to provide access to the terrace area. A curved bed at the back of the terrace provides space for plants. Lighting would highlight the paved area at night, in particular the steps.

 

Planting:

 

A lawn area covers the top terrace. There are two specimen standard trees in this area. These two and a third in the back border, provide privacy for the sitting area. The border and paved area beds have a variety of shrubs and perennial flowers. Climbers help to soften the lines of the wooden fences, and provide additional interest.

 

Garden style:

 

A semi-formal style; the formal straight lines associated with the geometric shapes of the paving and steps, the curve with the more informal border. The steps lead attention to one side across the garden to deflect from its short length. The design could be used on ground sloping either towards the house, as here, or away from it.

 

Maintenance and cost:

 

Some maintenance; mowing, weeding and tidying. Reasonably expensive; paving, lighting, earthworks, especially if labour is hired.

 

Assessment:

 

High walls (1.8m), ground slopes towards house (fall 1 in 50), faces east, overlooked to rear.

 

Case Study No. 5
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Hard landscaping:

 

An area of 40 cm square concrete paving slabs, laid diamond pattern, joins the back of the house and is bounded by a low retaining wall (10 cm), the earth from the paved area being banked up. Some pots ‘break up’ the paved area.

A paved path links this area to a second small paved area hidden from view behind a hedge that divides the garden at an angle. One piece of sculpture is placed in the angle of the hedge, a second in the hidden part of the garden. Lamps dramatically light the sculpture at night.

 

Planting:

 

Three trees with clear stems, and the hedge, provide privacy. Borders on either side of the hedge are planted with shrubs, perennial flowers and bulbs for year-round interest. A small lawn is a foil for plants and sculpture. No strong colour is used, and mostly green plants are placed near the sculpture.

 

Garden style:

 

A semi-formal style with the paving in diamond pattern and the hedge picking up that line. The hedge (1.5 m) causes enclosure in a small garden, but adds mystery and variety. The pieces of sculpture distract from the feeling of enclosure, adding powerful interest in a small space.

 

Maintenance and cost:

 

Moderate maintenance; tiny lawn, weeding, tidying. Expensive; sculpture, paving, lighting. Semi-mature trees might be used for quick effect.

 

Assessment:

 

Wooden fences (1.8m high), garden faces north, overlooked. Trees are a priority.

 



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Case Study No. 4
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Hard landscaping:

 

An area of 60 cm square concrete paving slabs links the back of the house to the garden. A second small sitting area is hidden by planted borders on each side of the garden. Most of the garden surface area is taken up by these wide borders.

 

Planting:

 

The paved areas are linked by a curving lawn that takes its shape from the two borders. These are planted with five small to medium standard trees. Underneath these are shade tolerant shrubs and perennial flowers. At the edges of the paving where the borders finish, there are annual bedding plants to provide colour.

 

Garden style:

 

An informal style with strong emphasis on woody plants because these are a priority here. Even in a small garden it is possible to create a woodland feeling by using a good number of trees and planting shrubs to hide the boundaries.

The curving borders disguise the length of the garden and give the impression of greater size. The garden will be shaded but this is part of the required style. The lawn will tend to be mossy because of the shade, but this is also in keeping with the style.

 

Maintenance and cost:

 

Very little maintenance once established; some mowing, weeding and leaf raking. An inexpensive garden, just plants and the cheapest paving. Semi-mature trees might be used for quick effect.

 

Assessment:

 

Medium height walls, garden faces west, somewhat overlooked all round.

 

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Hard landscaping:

 

Most of the surface area is covered with a layer of at least seven centimetres of fine gravel. This area has curved edges and is bounded by gently sloping borders, rising thirty centimetres above the general garden level at the walls. Part of the garden is paved with 40 cm square concrete paving slabs. The walls are smooth, plastered and painted.

An informal (2.5m x 1.5m) pool is lined with a flexible liner that is covered with fist-sized stone cobbles to hide it. Two sets of two large stones are placed where they contrast with the gravel and the planting. The gravel, cobbles and large stones should be all the same type of rock.

 

Planting:

 

Most of the planted area is covered with ground cover plants. Some trees feature as specimens, and to provide some privacy. A few well-chosen shrubs and perennials provide year-round interest. In the gravel for contrast, one spiky plant, and a flat one near the pool.

 

Garden style:

 

An informal modern style. This style relies on the value of the shape and texture of plants and hard materials. The flat gravel and sloping borders create an illusion of space. Smooth walls set off the plant shapes.

 

Maintenance and cost:

 

Practically no maintenance; just occasional raking, and weeding until ground cover is established. Relatively inexpensive; only the paving adds significantly to cost.

 

Assessment

 

Wooden fences (1.8m high) and walls, garden faces east, overlooked from second storey on most sides.

 

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Case Study No. 2
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Hard landscaping:

 

An informal pool and associated paved area are the dominant features. Stone paving is laid in irregular pattern to complement the informal lines of the garden. The pool (3.25m x 2.25m) would be lined with a flexible liner.

The paved area is placed away from the shadow of the house. Stone paving laid as ‘stepping stones in grass’ across the lawn avoids wear, and links the paved area to the house without upsetting the informality of the garden. Flower borders flank the lawn on three sides.

 

Planting:

 

The surface area is mostly covered by a lawn with edges in sweeping curves. Three small trees are used to frame the garden, ‘lift’ the walls and provide privacy. Mixed planting between the paved area and the lawn screens off that corner. The borders with trees have shade-tolerant plants. Containers with annual plants help to decorate the concrete path beside the house.

 

Garden style:

 

An informal style with flowing curves and materials that have no strong pattern. The partial division by the central border creates curiosity and adds interest. It makes the paved area feel safe and comfortable for sitting.

 

Maintenance and cost:

 

Relatively easily maintained; mowing and some weeding, not demanding in terms of neatness. Moderately expensive; the stone paving is relatively expensive, and the pool would also add to the cost.

 

Assessment:

 

Medium height walls, garden faces south, not particularly overlooked, flowers and colour a priority. Problem – to hide a garden shed.

 

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Case Study No. 1
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Hard landscaping:

 

Garden sheds, oil tanks, coal bunkers and dog kennels tend to spoil small gardens. A ‘false’ wall of concrete screen blocks is used here to hide the garden shed and compost / service area.

The surface area is partly paved with 40 cm square concrete paving slabs. A service path leads from the paved area and is flanked by two flower borders. The slabs step out two courses into the lawn area to break the line of paving and to make a wider sitting area. A curving border surrounds the lawn on its other sides. Three clay pots break up the expanse of paving.

 

Planting:

 

Lawn covers most of the surface area. One small standard tree provides some privacy for the sitting area and helps to ‘lift’ the flat lines of the walls. Climbers help too. The borders are planted mostly with perennial flowers and some shrubs, including evergreens, for year round structure. The pots contain bedding plants for colour and variety. The borders hide the path; a pillar-shaped tree helps to disguise the entrance to the service area.

 

Garden style:

 

An informal style suitable for growing a wide range of plants, especially perennial flowers. Good use is made of the vertical space of walls and the flat surface area of the garden is not broken up unnecessarily.

 

Maintenance and cost:

 

Considerable maintenance; mowing, weeding, tidying. Not expensive; only the false wall and paving would be costly.