Louise and Phil Pankhurst are in their early fifties. They both work full-time, but like to spend time in the garden at weekends and on summer evenings. They want a garden with a Mediterranean style that will suit their sunny climate and remind them of a recent trip.
Phil Pankhurst is an information technology specialist at the university nearby. Louise is the director of a charity. They want a garden with lush-looking evergreens, and light, airy foliage. With council permission, they want to get rid of the gloomy Leyland cypress trees. Because of their busy working lives, they want no time-wasters in the garden, such as regular pruning. Their young grandchildren often come to stay, so the garden has to be safe for them to play in. Most importantly, they want somewhere pleasant to sit and relax, and where they can entertain their friends - possibly upgrading the existing terrace, giving it more privacy from the neighboring properties.
The Old Garden
Most of it is grass, with a few overgrown flowerbeds. The terrace off the house has no safety rail, making it dangerous for the grandchildren to play there. The boundaries are sharply defined by rickety fencing and Leyland cypress trees, which take a lot of light from the garden. There is little privacy from neighboring yards.
Deciding Their Priorities
How much time?
4 hours on average each week.
Essential ingredients?
Easy-care garden beds with year-round interest; a secluded area for entertaining, with built-in barbecue; child-friendly plants.
Likes and dislikes?
They like relaxing in the garden and using the terrace on summer evenings. Any garden tasks where the grandchildren can help are enjoyed. Dislikes include anything that steals a lot of time at weekends, such as watering lots of containers and weeding.
The New Garden
Climbers on lattice and a few potted shrubs and flowers create an arbor of tranquility on the terrace. The lawn is curved, making mowing easier, while an automatic watering system helps keep down the workload in the garden beds.
Intimate terrace
Siting the terrace next to the house makes for easy entertaining. Climbers bring greater intimacy.
Lush pots Exotic 'Mediterranean' plants, such as the palm Trachycarpus fortunei, need little water.
Easy pruning
Although vigorous, the wisteria is easy to prune on the balustrade. Trim in summer, cut back hard in winter.
Boundary Higher fencing gives greater privacy but does make the garden seem smaller. For a feeling of extra space, it has been mostly disguised by planting.
Effective planting
Evergreen shrubs help to suppress weeds and give beds an all-year structure, while deciduous trees let in plenty of winter warmth and light, and even supply free mulch.
Sweeping lawn
The gentle curve of the lawn makes maintenance easier and helps to set off the rest of the garden design.
Stone focal points
The pineapple finials provide an instant focal point and they mark the top of the flight of steps.
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