All Gardens was established in Dulwich 23 years ago by Tom Phillips, who moved to Bristol in 1990. Here, he describes creating a haven for a Bristol artist.
MANY gardens in Bristol are lying on sloping ground. This provides a challenge to the garden designer, as well as an opportunity to sculpt the ground in a creative and interesting way. Our client, 79-year old Eileen, had just relocated to Bristol from the Wirral. Her new house was designed to a high specification and she wanted her garden to match.
As an established artist she was open to the idea of colour in the garden. The initial design sketched out at our first meeting was thought to be on the right lines and a three-dimensional sketch was worked up to show the changes in levels and a proposal of the colour scheme. Work started in July of 2011 and was completed late August with a budget of £15,000.
Due to tight access via external steps, 18 tons of soil had to be bagged and transported to three skips using a conveyor belt. Similarly, all sand and blockwork was brought into the garden by the same method. Initially we had proposed beach cobbles for the lower garden. Even with a stepping stone path running through it I realised that this surface was unsuitable. We had used artificial lawn in a couple of projects where grass was not possible due to heavy shade. Initially reticent, I was very impressed with the quality of the new grass products and so suggested one of these as an alternative and Eileen, always very open to new ideas, went with it.
We had to incorporate three antique terracotta planters into the design and the clash of old classic pots with modern false grass gives the garden a surreal quality. The planting was crucial. I chose plants to compliment and contrast with the bold blues finally chosen for the walls. Orange and yellow flowering plants were chosen in places where they could be bold compliments to the blues. When the foliage develops, the differing tones of green will add a calming layer which will soften some of the walls.
The other aspect of the planting design was to incorporate some height, with trees to provide privac screening from neighbours while not blocking the views from the garden. A small early flowering cherry and dwarf apple were chosen for the upper garden and a wisteria grown on tension wires will provide a supple summer screen to the house directly behind.
Designing for someone who has an open mind to most ideas is a delight. Often through existing structures. ie. sheds and extensions, the designer is juggling with a list of ingredients to help busy people make the most of their garden space. This is challenging but rewarding when a final plan works. In Eileen’s case she wanted something attractive to look at and a place in the sun to enjoy her views.
We gave her a built-in oak bench surrounded with plants, an evergreen lawn she never needs to cut and flowers we hope will paint their own pictures through the coming seasons.
Contact Tom on 0117 951 1923, email allgardendesigns@gmail.com or visit www.allgardendesigns.co.uk
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