Planting design for a South African-inspired garden in Brockley, South London

After speaking with owners Jo and Roger, we learned that they really enjoyed their travels to South Africa - particularly the intensity of colour in Namaqualand’s desert blooms. They wanted a garden they could share with family and friends, with areas for dining and entertaining, as well as a new area to sit together out of the sun. From this brief, we produced moodboards and a planting plan, introducing crocosmias (another South African native), ornamental grasses, and warm and fiery rudbeckias. Grasses including Panicum, Miscanthus and Stipa tenuissima were used to add movement and contrasting textures to the existing shrubs, and imperial fritillaries added fiery oranges right at the start of the season.

The south facing aspect of the garden allows for a multitude of plants to be grown - shade loving ferns and Japanese forest grass at the back, progressing into sun–loving planting nearer the house, before the shade of a Bay tree shelters the area down the side return, where more ferns and shade lovers can be found.

The aspect, however, meant that the lounging and dining areas receive a lot of sun, so on hot days there was little to no shade. A new gravelled seating area at the back of the garden provided reprieve from the sun, as well as creating a new vantage point to appreciate the garden from. The area was divided from the rest of the garden with a row of Miscanthus, acting like a sheer screen, creating a secluded retreat to enjoy a glass of wine and a good book.

A CorTen steel planter was also placed in front of the shed by the seating area, planted with verbena and perovskia to screen it from view. Additional planters were thoughtfully placed around the garden to accentuate focal points and dress the facade of the house. We also worked with Torc Pots to have bespoke planters produced to support a teak bench. Holes in the bench allow climbers to grow up through the bench, cladding the wall in greenery and scent.

Our client, Jo, says: ‘I really enjoy working with Shaun. Having been a ‘cautious’ and slightly disinterested gardener, I always worked on the basis of a tidy garden, and thought a few pots were fine. Shaun has gently taken me out of my comfort zone to produce a much admired garden, which is a perfect family quiet space or worthy of a splendid party. He has incorporated my preferred colours and some (a few!) of my own design ideas. I have learned that patience with a garden is a virtue, and that gardens evolve as they develop, and as our understanding of the space and plant species grows. I actually now enjoy gardening as opposed to just tidying!’