Case study: A low maintenance, Mediterranean-inspired garden in Forest Gate, East London
Garden size: 85m2
Garden aspect: South
Landscaper: Growing Gardens
Clients Clare and Chris were renovating their Victorian terrace with a contemporary but faithful restoration, and were hoping to give their garden a similar treatment of TLC. They were looking for a low maintenance garden, with a generous primary patio area, somewhere to sit in the shade, plenty of storage, a small lawn area for their baby to learn to crawl, and of course, plenty of planting.
Some might think this a tall order for the back garden of a Victorian terrace, but we were able to fit everything in with some careful planning and clever design.
Stepping out into the garden onto a large patio there is enough space for the entire family - and friends! - to dine, and still room for a barbecue and handmade feature plant pots. This main dining and entertaining area is divided from the rest of the garden with groups of irregularly sized CorTen steel planters, with herbs and other edible plants for the kitchen.
Continuing up the garden, burgeoning planting spills over the path, with a small lawn on the right for baby to take her first steps. On the left, a CorTen water bowl is set into a gravel border with drought tolerant plants. At the end of the garden, a shed and composting bay have been cleverly concealed within the same venetian fencing that lines the boundary.
In the corner next to the shed, a secondary seating area has been tucked away to provide some seating in the shade, concealed by a veil of willowy perennials and ethereal grasses. Bespoke integrated benches provide another vantage across the garden, looking through the veil of sheer planting over the whole space.
Another feature plant pot, planted up with a multi-stem Strawberry tree, provides screening from neighbours and relates to the mature trees above. Evergreen star jasmine lines the venetian fencing, softening the strong lines and providing scent during summer evenings; the perfect place to watch the sun go down with a glass of wine and a good book!
Our client, Clare, says: ‘Shaun transformed our garden from something that felt like a car park into a series of usable spaces. The garden is low-maintenance and there’s no “set up” with the integrated furniture - we can just step out and enjoy our entertaining space, somewhere to grow herbs, and then somewhere to retreat to. During the summer we could just wander out and go and have a G&T and look over this beautiful space.
When watching those home transformation / extension programmes, they often neglect the garden and it’s still just a strip of lawn with bedding down the side. I realise what you have created feels really alive and full of atmosphere.
I get such pleasure from going out into our garden, or even just looking at it from the house on cold mornings. It’s so easy to use - it’s not overwhelming for those new to gardening, and it is full of plants and flowers year round.’
