The owners wanted a garden which is easy to maintain but which has interest for most of the year. A love of flower arranging will dictate, to a large extent, which plants are grown and will mostly be chosen by the client.
The overgrown shrubs and lawn were removed. There is a fine specimen Acer in the centre which emerged after others were removed and which has made a brilliant centrepiece. The gravel, cobbles and paving slabs provide cohesion and the beds are generous sizes to enable the owners to have a good selection of plants, many of which are useful in flower arranging.
Privacy is provided with pleached crabapples and the dustbins are hidden behind a trellis which will have a climber trained through it in time.
The summerhouse has been transformed from dull brown with a lick of pale coloured paint and there are a few choice pieces of sculpture around to add height and interest.
A fairly large paved terrace gives enough room for a table and chairs with pots for specimen and favourite plants.
The front garden has been given the same treatment, winter structure is provided by box cones in planters with box balls planted into the ground next to the paved path. This is broader in the centre so that it looks more generous and arrests the eye before going to the door in this small, shady space. Plants will have predominantly white flowers and with some variegated leaves to lift the dark areas.