IS IT POSSIBLE TO CREATE AN IDYLLIC PASTORAL FEEL IN A SMALL CITY PLOT? THIS SPACE PROVES YOU CAN SAYS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT ULA MARIA
GARDEN BY BUTTER WAKEFIELD
1. OFTEN ASSOCIATED with countryside grandeur, the use of topiary specimens in this Butter Wakefield design proves they can look just as home in smaller spaces. Placed among an abundance of flowers, their sculptural presence provides a sense of rhythm and order.
2. Country gardens are often dominated by subtle pastels. Pale lilacs and dusky pinks contribute to the soft, hazy atmosphere. Here Butter has paired pastels with fresh, zesty green foliage to help elevate the appearance of the soft-hued flowers. 3. THE QUINTESSENTIAL country garden will always contain wildflowers and so making room for them in a small city space is an easy way to get the look. From common knapweed and ox-eye daisies to cornflowers and poppies, there are plenty to choose from and by planting wildflowers you’ll also be creating important habitats for insects, birds and bees.
4. Butter has used a mix of pots and planters as a way of injecting the flair of the countryside garden into a small space. You could even create a mini cut-flower or kitchen garden using everything from large urns to tiny terracotta pots. Herbs such as rosemary, mint and thyme will also thrive in pots provided there is good drainage. 5. FURNITURE can be used to enrich the country garden aesthetic you are trying to achieve. Beautifully crafted timber or ornate metal furniture is most likely to work best. Although sometimes adding details such as throws and cushions will be all it takes to give your space a country feel, the truth is, the more comfortable the outdoor furniture, the more likely you are to use it.
From a childhood spent in rural Lithuania to winning the RHS Young Designer of the Year in 2017, author and landscape architect Ula Maria has developed an affinity with garden spaces that stimulate the senses and connect us with nature through our memories and experiences. Her book Green: Simple Ideas for Small Outdoor spaces (£20, Mitchell Beazley) is out now