This garden needs to provide space for working out and a large gym, space to enjoy the evening sun and a social space for a large dining table for 10 from which to enjoy talking long into the evening. Calming green in all its shades is the favorite colour, used extensively inside and in the front garden with pops of warmer colours to remind of travels abroad.
Plants do not have to be high maintenance and there are a wide range of plants to chose from that create wonderful atmosphere and interest throughout the year yet easily cared for. Small, narrow beds require effort to keep to the allotted space. Far better to create beds with space for plants to reach full size. You can simply leave them from one year to the next giving you time to sit with a glass of wine or work out.
Narrow vertical screens and plants have been used to create soft divisions within the garden to provide the three key spaces needed and to screen the BBQ. To avoid difficult height drops sloping paths and planting beds take up quite a bit of the change of level and by reducing the amount of retaining walls keeps costs down, and reduces construction, preserving precious soil. A built in seat acts to retain soil, a good trick especially where space and budget are at a premium. Three large tree ferns are positioned to soften key views and create privacy.
Images Copyright: Elks-Smith Rendered Design images
