Design a low-maintenance garden suitable for an exposed site, featuring an outdoor cooking and dining area, a water feature, and a compact herb garden.
To fulfill the client's wishes, the design incorporates multi-functional elements. The stone wall serves as a barbecue shelter, defines the kitchen area from the garden/seating space, and provides the backdrop for the water feature. Additionally, the stone wall cleverly houses the pond filtration system. The garden layout is thoughtfully designed around seven manhole covers, ensuring both practicality and aesthetic appeal. The garden's overall aesthetics feature clean lines and sharp angles, providing a modern touch, while circular beds and curved patio edging soften the overall look.
Seasonal interest is brought to life in the circular raised bed with the snowy Mespilus (amelanchier lamarckii), complemented by strategically placed Japanese woodland grass (hakonechloa macra) to emphasise the sweeping curves and add a delicate, frothy texture. Along the fence, a small espalier fruit tree is elegantly trained, adding both beauty and functionality to the garden.
A low-maintenance resin-bound aggregate is used for the upper garden area, offering a non-slip solution, while contrasting limestone paving is used in the lower seating area, also chosen for its low-maintenance qualities. Local walling stone is sourced to construct the feature wall and pond structure. A green wall along the boundary creates a compact space for growing salad and herbs.