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it’s a decade since Vicky Twyman and Mark Mckown moved into their 1930s home with the aim of creating an exciting outdoor space for their two young daughters, Uly and Niamh, to play in. The couple, both artists, knew they’d have an enormous task turning the 27m x 7m plot in Norwood, south London, into the perfect playground, but first they had to tackle the brambles, concrete paths and an old garage that jutted into the garden. Over time, they tamed the overgrowth and screened the garage, to create a safe haven where the children could play. A trampoline dominated the centre of the garden, while at the far end there was a lawn and a treehouse in an old apple tree. Then a few years later, when the children were a bit older, the couple drew up new plans to create a more adult-focused space with linked sections for relaxing and entertaining, plus an artist’s studio for Mark to work in.
Vicky and Mark worked together at every stage of this garden’s transformation. ‘Gardening has become a bit of an obsession with me, whereas for Mark it’s an ongoing project that he cheerfully does,’ explains Vicky. ‘He prefers sitting in it, whereas I’m always looking for things to do – I love the fact that a garden is never finished, and is a constant source of enjoyment and learning.’
CREATING DIFFERENT ZONES
Today’s design sees the north-east-facing space divided into three areas separated by screens, trees and shrubs. By the house, a wooden deck leads down to a gravelled area that extends into an outdoor dining space about halfway down the garden. Beyond, lies a lawn enclosed by raised beds and mature planting. Finally, at the farthest end, Mark’s studio is set among hot-coloured borders.
‘It’s been a bit stop-start because we’re on a tight budget and also, being working parents, we’re always short of time,’ says Vicky.
Many of the features are salvaged, including a discarded wooden ladder-turned-succulent-display, a galvanized water tank rescued from a friend’s farmyard, and raised beds made from scaffold boards.
Originally, the area beside the house was laid to lawn, but the grass was suffering because of the shade cast by nearby trees. ‘For years, Mark had been suggesting we replace the grass with gravel, but I’d flatly refused,’ admits Vicky. ‘Now it’s done, it’s completely right, because the gravel solves the problem of scruffy looking grass, and links the various different areas beautifully.’
SECLUDED SPOTS
The decking that connects the house to the gravel garden has been planted with flowers favoured by renowned gardener and plantswoman, Beth Chatto. These include coneflowers, salvias, agapanthus, euphorbias and ornamental grasses. ‘It’s become my Beth Chatto tribute garden,’ notes Vicky.
From here, the gravel path leads on to an outdoor dining area that's secluded and partly shaded by an old plum tree. It’s a lovely spot to sit in during warm weather – while on cooler evenings, the firepit comes into its own. This section is separated from the lawn by a border of black elder, bamboo, fatsia and rhus, planted in raised beds made by Mark. Splashes of white come from variegated spindle, mophead hydrangeas and agapanthus – a particular love of Vicky’s. ‘I bought just two plants seven years ago, and they’ve seeded themselves around ever since.’
DARK DRAMA
While the plum tree is very productive – each year Vicky makes copious amounts of delicious jam – it also turns the ground beneath into dry shade. ‘I mulch once or twice a year to help keep in moisture,’ she adds. Despite these being the most
challenging of growing conditions, Vicky makes it look easy, with a wonderful mix of leafy plants, such as tree ferns, euphorbias, hostas and an oak-leaved hydrangea, as well as heucheras with their white frothy flowers, and an evergreen spindle ‘Silver Queen’ with white-margined leaves. ‘And, in shady areas, I always throw in a few ferns,’ she says. ‘Being artists, our planting is all about leaf colour and texture – the flowers are our final consideration.’
During the winter months, interest comes from those leaf textures and a scattering of hellebores, while spring brings the excitement of fruit blossom, tulips and the lime green foliage of acers. A rampant Clematis armandii, loved for its dark, glossy, leathery leaves, bears many fragrant creamy white flowers. ‘It comes right up to the kitchen window now,' says Vicky.
MINDFUL FOCUS
Inspiration for her garden has come via an eclectic range of sources – from planting on roundabouts and seeds advertised on Ebay, to roadside tables of random treasures, Vita Sackville-west’s garden at Sissinghurst and Monty Don, with his powerful message about the benefits of gardening. ‘I find it so helpful for mindfulness, for focusing on being in the present,’ she says.
This is an intensely personal garden, especially so because within two days of the family moving into this house, Vicky’s father died from a brain tumour. ‘Now, the garden reminds me of him, and his death has inspired me to open it for the National Garden Scheme in aid of charity.’
Something that started out as an outlet for grief, has become a vital part of Vicky’s life. ‘It’s my “go to” place that gives me head space, and in the summer I’m often out there until well after dark,’ she says. ‘I’ve even joked to a friend that while some women buy handbags and shoes, I buy plants.’ HB
Visit the garden at 7 Norwood Park Road, London SE27 as part of the National Garden Scheme’s open days on 11 July (1.30-5.30pm). Booking essential at ngs.org.uk