Janets Garden

Janet was a maintenance client who moved to a new house and inherited a bit of a blank canvas of a garden - a few old trees and shrubs dotted about plus a most uninviting looking swimming pool and a tumble down pool house - oh and an extensively paved terrace with rather OTT balustrade by the house. After we had spent a few months weeding and pruning she asked me to come up with a design for her new garden. The wish list for this was extensive and included making the swimming pool area secure for children, a new pool house and shed, space on the lawn for a marquee for entertaining and what was described as a 'tarty' vegetable plot. This turned out to be a small ornamental vegetable garden to include a relocated greenhouse! The new design needed to distract from the balustrade and allow for a possible extension to the kitchen. Planting needed to include many existing plants and be relatively easy to look after although some help was envisaged.

Key design features: curvaceous lawn providing space for a large marquee surrounded by re shaped borders their depth in proportion to the house and terrace; a new tree with small curved seat under provides a view across the garden; a curved beech hedge to partly screen an ornamental vegetable area with central bed and surrounding raised beds and greenhouse; swimming pool and surrounding paving and decked area secured with new gate and fencing - bravely painted dark grey as suggested - it looks great - and further screened by planting in front; informal stepping stone paths lead though wide borders to provide access and ease maintenance. Planting: many existing favourite plants retained or replanted from old garden and planting scheme provided for year round interest with a particular emphasis on Spring as requested and included both evergreen and deciduous shrubs including those with variegated foliage and different leaf shapes and textures.