The brief for this South West London family garden was to provide a space for dining and relaxation that reflected the contemporary nature of the new house extension and maximise the size of the garden, while making good use of the sunny areas at various times of the day. The resulting garden does that perfectly and is a great example of urban chic.
The garden designer, Shelley Hugh-Jones, worked closely with the architect and clients ensuring that the internal and external spaces complemented each other. Materials such as polished concrete, London stock brick, and timber were repeated both inside and out. A major consideration was to reflect the planting scheme and lighting with the house décor.
Belderbos Landscapes landscaped the garden. The side entrance aided the construction and planting as materials did not have to go through the house. Good teamwork helped along by fair weather allowed for a smooth and successful project.
The garden is landscaped over two levels; the change in level is highlighted with a band of pebble tiles that are lit up at night. Cantilevered, timber seating wraps around a gas fire-pit on one side and a small lawn bordered by clipped Pittosporum tenuifolium and Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Lime’ is behind the seating. A large dining table is housed on the opposite side.
The main focus is the dramatic black pebble sculpture ‘Dark Planet’ by David Harber nestled amongst Polystichum polyblepharum, Euphorbia robbiae, Pachysandra terminalis and Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’. At dusk, light permeates through the fissures between the stones adding drama to the whole scheme.
The tones of the cedar battening provide warmth and together with the pleached hornbeam trees along the back of the garden, they provide privacy and structure. Clipped Prunus lusitanica (Portuguese laurel) hedging creates an evergreen backdrop to the dining area and large planting border. A large multi stemmed Amelanchier lamarkii rises out from the surrounding planting of Salvia ‘Caradonna’, Euphorbia robbiae and frothy Geranium ‘Rosanne’ and Geranium phaeum ‘Samabor’. This softer planting provides a lovely contrast to the clipped domes of Buxus sempervirens that punctuate and surround this large border.
Shelley Hugh-Jones
020 8673 2458
Belderbos Landscapes
020 8940 2832
