Here are a selection of gardens I have created or improved
Replanting an established garden in Wanstead
The clients had bought and planted lots of different plants but didn't find it pleasing to the eye. They asked me to replant it, editing existing plants, moving some, removing others, adding new planting suited to the to soil properties, orientation to the sun and amount of shade. The aim was to create a more harmonious planting scheme.
Planting design for a north facing front garden
This client had recently had her front garden landscaped with weed-suppressing membrane and pebbles. A diagonal path leading to bins dissected the garden creating two distinct areas. The client lived in the first floor flat so the view from above became an important element of the brief. The area nearest the house is in almost permanent shade while the area nearest the street is in partial shade with additional shade from a deciduous tree in a neighbouring garden.
The planting plan makes the most of the light coloured pebbles to contrast the form and texture of the selected plants. New plants were placed to suggest two informal footpath routes from front door to side gate and bin area. Retained existing plants included a Hydrangea, Fuchsia, Sage and Rhododendron. New plants were selected for their suitability for moisture retentive soil in shade. These included a compact form of winter flowering Sarcococca to line the paved path to the front door, a flowering and fragrant evergreen Osmanthus hedge at the front boundary, ferns, Actaea, Tiarella, Carex and Japanese anemones. Structure and height were provided by three new narrow Silver Birch cultivars.
Front gardens have to work year round so the planting plan aims to provide structure and changing interest every month of the year.
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After
A new back garden in Walthamstow
In this garden, the clients had just completed a modern rear house extension with large glass windows and wanted to transform their small garden. The existing garden contained a shed in poor condition and very overgrown shrubs and climbers. The brief included a seating area to capture the evening sun and a space to grow some fruit, vegetables and herbs. An existing mature Olive tree and Camellia were retained.
To make the most of the space and maximise planting, the design avoids defined beds on each side with a lawn and places plants across the garden planted through a weed-suppressing membrane and light-coloured stone chippings to reflect light. A small pergola was included and new fencing specified to provide further vertical planting opportunities. A compact new shed was added along with two larch raised beds on the sunnier side for the clients to grow some tomatoes.
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After
A new back garden in Leyton
A complete redesign of a Walthamstow back garden
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After
The Steampunk garden
The brief was to transform a south facing concrete backyard into an welcoming, characterful and quirky garden using imagination to incorporate lots of planting into vertical surfaces and found objects collected by the clients
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Customer testimonial
I had the pleasure of working with Clive last autumn when he took on the task of bringing some warmth and life to my rather inhospitable east London backyard. From our initial meeting it felt like a collaboration with Clive sharing his knowledge and expertise, but also incorporating my ideas and (possibly exasperating) attachments to certain plants and objects. He encouraged me to take some bold steps (bye bye ailing pear tree) and the end result has just the quirky charm I was after - achieved exactly on budget. Clive is a calm, patient individual with a quiet passion for his craft and I’m very much looking forward to seeing the fruit of his labours in the spring and to working with him again to bring the garden to its next steps.
Michele, Leyton
A raised bed on the corner of a busy street in Walthamstow
I adopted this unloved brick raised bed from the Council and planted it with tough drought tolerant plants that can absorb toxic particulates in the air and support pollinators. A high proportion of plants are evergreen and the aim is to provide seasonal interest throughout the year. There is no source of water other than rain so these are tough conditions. There is regular littering and occasional theft or vandalism of plants. The planting continues to evolve as some plants thrive and others struggle. With support from Bee17 and Walthamstow Village in Bloom. Take a look at the bottom of Maynard Road / junction with Shernhall St.
