‘WE’VE MADE THE MOST OF OUR SMALL SPACE’
With clever planning and planting you can create an oasis of calm in the smallest patch, as this garden shows
When Judith Strong moved to her Victorian house in south-west London, the 18 by 7 metre walled garden was a rectangle enclosed in narrow borders. ‘I became increasingly frustrated because there wasn’t enough space for all the wonderful plants I wanted to grow,’ says Judith.
A gardening friend suggested an octagonal lawn edged with triangular flowerbeds, as it would be more interesting and provide plenty of space for planting. ‘Another advantage of the eight-sided lawn is that it reinforces the garden’s formal framework, especially in winter when the potted box balls in each corner really stand out,’ says Judith, who has colour-themed each flowerbed. ‘At first glance, it may not look very organised because my planting style is informal,’ explains Judith, ‘but a colour theme helps focus the mind – I chose hues that I like living with and they flow from one bed to the other.’
Judith loves entertaining outdoors, so she created a stylish patio with handmade terracotta tiles near the house. A decision was made to keep an old apple tree that overshadowed the patio. ‘The tree adds great character, so it was incorporated into the scheme,’ she says. Even though it’s a shady spot, Judith has successfully established epimediums, corydalis, Solomon’s seal and bugle beneath the tree. Another place for relaxing is the raised terrace at the end of the garden. It has a Lutyens-style bench and is the perfect sport for catching the evening sun.
One design decision Judith is particularly happy with is the placement of urns on each side of the lawn. ‘They create the impression that the lawn is wider than it actually is,’ she says. A paved path connects each space. ‘In summer, the plants flanking the path shoot up and partly screen the lawn,’ says Judith. ‘That way you just catch inviting glimpses from the sitting room, rather than seeing the whole garden in a glance.’