Yvette's Garden

When we bought the house, the original back garden was standard and boring - just a large rectangle with straight lines of plants (overgrown camelias and hebes) following the fences and skirting a patchy lawn…

After several “pottering around attempts to fix things” I completed a course online and did several designs. At last, one was chosen, and the garden was landscaped in one go.

We hired a digger and family and unsuspecting friends joined in. Cement and up-cycled bricks bought online were the only extras needed to get this done! Ten days later, the hardscaping was completed, and a new lawn was rolled out. The sense of accomplishment as we finished up is hard to beat – even today!

Next came the planting. Priorities were to plant up slower growing trees and key structural plants as they would take longer to establish.

Then the area was divided into smaller projects – to be tackled one by one. It took a while as time and money allowed. After 1 year all was planted up and 5 years on the garden was fully established with very few casualties along the way.

Looking back at the old photos it’s good to see that every “issue” has been resolved or accommodated - cold, dampness, dullness, slope, and lack of seating or entertainment areas are no longer concerns. The outcome is even better than anticipated with the design a 100% success.

A few functional concrete pathways lead to the shed and wash line.
Overhanging trees cast heavy shade from midday in summer and even earlier in winter.
The whole section sloped down to the house and there was nowhere level to sit.

IDENTICAL TWINS

BEFORE: The old paths are gone, and some new planting and paving ideas are tried out. But it's still not right. With frustration at an all time high, a real design was needed!
AFTER 5 years: A spring view. The crab apple's in bloom, the plants are thriving and it's just as it was planned... green and serene.
BEFORE: Nothing to see here! Only a tired fence, crumbling path and a view directly into the neighbours.
DURING: The first brickwork is in and good weather is always a plus especially when there's so much soil-to-mud potential.
DURING: The first summer and the twin pots of clipped topiary are in! Getting the right plants in right from the start for all year interest is crucial. Still waiting to find the "right" gravel that will combine well with the terracotta colours.
AFTER: Just 2 years on the garden is transformed. Sun loving spikey Astelia and rounded lavender create interest in the sunny morning corner. Spaced properly they fill the space and don't compete.
AFTER: Big and bold twin topiary (transplanted into even bigger pots) enhance the modern traditional style. A large proportion of evergreen plants provide year round interest.

A SUNNY SPOT FOR MORNING COFFEE

BEFORE: Too cold to use the patio even in summer and the fountain the size of a small motor car didn't add real value either.
AFTER: Nothing beats this sense of achievement! Completing what was planned. The view from entering the garden from the side gate. Inviting, welcoming.
BEFORE: Old patio lifted creating a new shade garden opportunity.
AFTER: Well laid hardscaping provides corner detail and leads from the lower seating into the shade garden.
AFTER: The landscaping is done and the tallest features are in. Two trees in memory of parents were selected for colour and year round interest. The contrasting lower plants are doing well a year or so after planting.
DURING: If you can hire a digger and someone who actually knows how to drive it, do it!
DURING: The archways are up and will provide vertical structure and a sense of enclosure, and frames for climbing plants (or children).
AFTER: The planting is in! Morning sun - afternoon shade lovers, and chosen because you just can kill them!
AFTER: The first spring! The excitement as the weeping cherry blooms first. The acer will follow in a few weeks with crimson leaf.
After about 5 years. And not ashamed to borrow the view of the neighbours features too!

CONSERVATORY AND HOT WEST FACING GARDEN

BEFORE: Old, cold and never used. The conservatory was a wasted space lacking looks and appeal.
AFTER: The new walkway along the conservatory has low level planting. The conservatory is below lawn level - not screening the outward looking view is key.
DURING: The new deck is 20cm above the original brick pavers, aligning with the back door. This completely transformed the flow and view over the garden.
DURING: Decking laid left to right widens the look.
AFTER: A new corner pergola, focal point pot and climbers will screen the view of the neighbours from the conservatory.
AFTER: Warm and inviting. A whole new space created to use all year round.

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Yvette's Garden