Sometimes a garden that has fallen into disrepair may need a complete overhaul to revive it. However, it doesn’t always take such a drastic move – a few smaller changes can reap great rewards in rejuvenating the space. The garden featured here is a case in point: it needed some renovation to bring it back to life. The rear gate leads through a hole in the hedge on to a path, which directly overlooks Redland station. During the day it is possible to glimpse the trains pulling to a halt at the platform. Apart from this, the garden is very peaceful and also well sheltered.
However, it had become run down and the structure of retaining beds was crumbling. The side beds were ill defined and the garden was semi-shaded due to the large rear hedge. Also the materials used to build the small retaining walls were a mixture of broken concrete and stone. The stone was laid dry and had lost the will to stand up! Mixed with broken concrete slabs, it looked a mess. Once we had taken down the walls and sifted out the concrete, we decided to reuse the stone, which was in good condition. Putting in sound footings, we relaid the stone using mortar placed to the rear of the wall, leaving the front face free of cement.
This gives the impression of a drystone wall, but adds the strength we needed to support the next layer. Over the top of the stone we fixed oak sleepers to complete the walls. In the original garden, a set of concrete steps ran through to the rear gate. We removed these and combined the oak sleeper cappings to form a flight of oak steps. The sleepers at ground level run around the sides of the garden to form small raised planters. This allowed the beds to be topped up with fresh soil. It also lifts the plants up a little closer to the precious light. Around the edges of the garden we laid a stepping stone path.
This gives dry access to the rear gate and also to the side beds, which helps with easy maintenance. The grass was levelled and returfed. Letting the grass grow between the slabs softens their impact. The house has a large picture window overlooking the garden from the lounge. Our client wanted to retain that view, but liked the idea of some planting close to the house to act as a filter through which to view the main garden. We built an oak raised planter under the window to take tall perennials and grasses.
The overall aim of the design was to give the garden a softer feel and a more unified look. The combination of stone and wood has helped to give the structure an organic feel. By using the oak to wrap around the garden and also to act as steps, the use of one natural material sets a theme, and helps to pull the garden together.
http://www.allgardendesigns.co.uk/
However, it had become run down and the structure of retaining beds was crumbling. The side beds were ill defined and the garden was semi-shaded due to the large rear hedge. Also the materials used to build the small retaining walls were a mixture of broken concrete and stone. The stone was laid dry and had lost the will to stand up! Mixed with broken concrete slabs, it looked a mess. Once we had taken down the walls and sifted out the concrete, we decided to reuse the stone, which was in good condition. Putting in sound footings, we relaid the stone using mortar placed to the rear of the wall, leaving the front face free of cement.
This gives the impression of a drystone wall, but adds the strength we needed to support the next layer. Over the top of the stone we fixed oak sleepers to complete the walls. In the original garden, a set of concrete steps ran through to the rear gate. We removed these and combined the oak sleeper cappings to form a flight of oak steps. The sleepers at ground level run around the sides of the garden to form small raised planters. This allowed the beds to be topped up with fresh soil. It also lifts the plants up a little closer to the precious light. Around the edges of the garden we laid a stepping stone path.
This gives dry access to the rear gate and also to the side beds, which helps with easy maintenance. The grass was levelled and returfed. Letting the grass grow between the slabs softens their impact. The house has a large picture window overlooking the garden from the lounge. Our client wanted to retain that view, but liked the idea of some planting close to the house to act as a filter through which to view the main garden. We built an oak raised planter under the window to take tall perennials and grasses.
The overall aim of the design was to give the garden a softer feel and a more unified look. The combination of stone and wood has helped to give the structure an organic feel. By using the oak to wrap around the garden and also to act as steps, the use of one natural material sets a theme, and helps to pull the garden together.
http://www.allgardendesigns.co.uk/