From start to finish

Front Garden – overgrown and lacked privacy
Front Garden – overgrown and lacked privacy

Before

Front Garden – overgrown and lacked privacy
Front Garden – overgrown and lacked privacy
Front Garden – overgrown and lacked privacy
Front Garden – overgrown and lacked privacy
Front Garden – overgrown and lacked privacy
Front Garden – overgrown and lacked privacy
Front Garden – overgrown and lacked privacy
Front Garden – overgrown and lacked privacy
Front Garden – overgrown and lacked privacy

Large Family Garden Project in Hayes

Overview

This garden is on a corner plot, wrapping around the house on all sides. As you can see from the before images, the back garden had been damaged by the building of an extension with a wrap-around terrace. Also, the front and back gardens were almost completely cut off by a fence and poor layout.

The Brief

The garden was an awkward shape. A key element was to create flow between both spaces to create a more cohesive garden design between the front and rear garden areas. Whilst recreating a play area, eating area and a space to relax.

Design Concept

The garden is owned by a lovely Chinese couple which inspired me to consider the philosophy of Feng Shui. The principles of Bagua (the feng shui energy map) helped me address the issues of flow and cohesion, dictating the creation of specific areas in the garden.

The Process

I started the design phase with this project in August, and we finished the final planting phase in August the following year. I presented the design in September and then we started on site in November; so far so good! BUT by December, we had one of the wettest winters on record, and we had to down tools until February.

The Result

  • According to Feng Shui principles, East is the perfect location for friends and family, so I created a dining space in the front garden by the kitchen, which necessitated the addition of a screen for privacy and (due to the slope) a deck to give a level area for BBQing and entertaining.
  • The West area is connected to the energy of children and creativity, so it made sense to put the play equipment in the adjacent zone. From a practical point of view, the adults can keep an eye on the kids as they relax on the deck.
  • I created “flow” by removing the fence and adding a new pathway bisecting the path to the front door.
  • The addition of a water feature adds soothing sounds for relaxing and can be heard from the adjacent study/family room. As it is in the southeast zone, it’s also an excellent position for a water element as water energy leads to money and abundance.

In terms of planting, I added:

  • Spring and summer flowering perennials.
  • Plants with plenty of height so they could be seen from the raised living room adjacent.
  • Seasonal interest planting to the border around the lawn and pergola beds, which are viewed all year round.
  • Plus a white late flowering variety of wisteria to the pergola to extend the interest through the whole of May and into June.

*NB – Working on waterlogged soil can damage the soil structure, which is why I cringe at those Grand Design type projects on the TV where diggers are being driven constantly through a massive mud pit which will eventually be the garden!

Testimonial

“Carole helped us design the garden, draw a plant plan and implement the entire project. Carole spent a lot of time discussing our needs and preferences with us illustrating various options, which was very helpful, because we literally have zero experience and knowledge with gardening. During the build phase, Carole was always available for questions and to help coordinate with builders. Both my wife and myself are extremely happy with the garden this year, when the bulbs come out this spring and the plants grow much bigger! We are still in contact with Carole for maintenance and some random questions, and she is as helpful as always. We will recommend Carole to anyone who wants to improve their garden!”