A contemporary gravel garden design in New Cross, South London
When Potwell first arrived in the garden of this rental property in New Cross, the entire plot was a patch of weeds. In this shaded, north-facing garden, the only plants that were thriving on the clay-heavy lawn were creeping buttercup and green alkanet.
Potwell was asked to provide a new design that would transform the garden from a weedy mudpit into a usable space, while trying to keep maintenance low so the tenants were free to enjoy the space as much as possible.
Our design for owner Clare was a contemporary gravel garden, using limestone gravel to create an open space flanked by seamless borders in gentle curves. The gravel acts as a mulch, reducing the requirement to weed and water - and sounds great under your feet!
Clay and shade tolerant plants - such as Viburnum and Bergenia - were selected to provide year-round interest, and require little pruning or deadheading. All four seasons have been considered - there are even scented flowers in winter from two species of Sarcococca. These shrubs and perennials, planted young, will bulk up to fill the borders over time.
At the request of the current tenant, a small lawn area was included in the north east corner of the garden to cater for their dog, where the garden still catches some sun in the afternoons. Here a rowan tree, Sorbus aucuparia, has been planted to provide height, seasonal interest and forage for birds. As it matures it will partly screen off the gate at the back of the garden, and relate the garden to the neighbouring trees. Corten steel edging, which is used throughout the garden, is used around this sapling with a mulch to protect it from the lawn while it establishes.
The shed was originally designed to be partly concealed by planting, with shrubs softening the corners. However, the shed’s foundations were found to extend out much further in every direction under the lawn, due a larger shed previously on the same spot, so could not be turfed or planted over due to drainage concerns. Instead, a contrasting Cotswald gravel has been used in this area, which in future will include pots to flank the shed. The different colour gravels, lawn and corten steel edging contrast with each other, visually dividing the garden up into separate spaces, creating the visual illusion that it’s bigger than it really is.
The finished result is a low-maintenance open space, with evergreen shrubs and perennials providing gorgeous flowers and delicious scent year round. Clare’s tenants - and their dog - have a brand new outdoor space to enjoy, and Clare has peace of mind that her rental property has a beautiful garden for all her future tenants, too.
Our client Clare says: ‘The garden has been transformed! It has gone from being a problem to a space that is beautiful and functional. We started by asking for something that was basic and low-maintenance, but what Shaun designed was so much more thoughtful and creative, whilst maintaining all the practicality that we had requested.’
