DREAM GARDEN
A man-made tributary sweeps through lush planting and under a sinuous pathway to the Thames in this clever riverside design
Lush planting, a winding stream and a curvaceous pathway in a riverside scheme with beautiful views.
WHAT WAS THE CLIENTS’ BRIEF FOR THIS GARDEN?
The garden was formerly the playground of a school, which the clients had converted into a five-storey home, and it is one of the few properties in London that connect directly to the River Thames with no towpath or road between. Despite its late-victorian façade, the interior of the house is very modern, and the clients wanted a garden that would sit well with this while being sympathetic to the exterior and setting. They also like country gardens and asked for this look to be included.
HOW DID THE LOCATION INFLUENCE THE DESIGN?
I was keen to make the most of the setting because, in spite of the garden’s position, the view from the house was unpromising: murky water framed by trees, with an apartment block opposite. The views from the large lower-storey windows were paramount, but the design also needed to work when seen from above. These factors inspired the curvaceous path, which leads the eye left and right, rather than straight out to the river.
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE KEY FEATURES?
To create the effect of a river tributary, I made a rill that narrows towards the end to give the illusion of greater distance. This is intertwined with a yew hedge and stone path, which create a sense of flow. We were also legally required to integrate a bund (retaining wall) to prevent flooding. To disguise this, the path slopes gently to the top of the wall, meeting the steps that lead down from the ground-floor terrace. It is faced with dry-stone Purbeck walling, which introduces a country garden look. At the heart of the space is a wooden deck, while another seating area with a barbecue at the end of the path marks the final destination point beside the river.
WHAT DICTATED YOUR CHOICE OF PLANTS?
The river can be grey and lifeless during winter, so a strong evergreen structure was crucial. Grasses play the role of waterside reeds; roses, salvias, hardy geraniums and spring bulbs enhance the country feel; while water irises line the rill and prevent the water from turning green. I kept an existing privet hedge along one boundary, and laid a gravel border planted with a copse of Amelanchier to screen the view from houses on the other. The bund is close to the kitchen, which made it the ideal place for sun-loving herbs; they’re planted into the top of the wall.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR COMBINING MATERIALS?
I always use a finite number of materials to create a harmonious design; too many, and it will look chaotic. You can also include the same material with different finishes or in complementary colours. Here, for example, we have rough Purbeck stone walling with complementary smooth honed sandstone paving that picks up the grey tones in the Purbeck stone to create a unified look.
HOW DID YOU MAKE THE MOST OF THE SPACE? The curvaceous path encourages exploration and makes the garden more interesting; it also creates a longer journey through the space and forces the eye to focus on different plants and features as you move from left to right. This tiny deception makes a garden seem bigger by using its full width. Stepping down into the seating areas increases the sense of privacy and introduces different levels, which also helps to create the illusion of more space. I’ve used the wall by the river as garden furniture, too, transforming it into a high-backed seat from which to enjoy the best views.