NORTH-FACING SPACES

CLEVER PLANNING AND PLANTING WILL MAKE THESE TYPES OF GARDENS WONDERFUL PLACES TO BE

TAKE the time to observe your garden and work out how best to use the space. The key thing about a northfacing plot is to make it work to your advantage. Before planning a design or choosing any new plants, first work out where the sun hits the garden and at what time of day. ‘Draw a sun diagram and track how the sun moves around the space,’ suggests designer Catherine Clancy. ‘North-facing gardens will always have areas without any light and areas of sunshine that are often towards the far end of the garden that are perfect for a sunny seating area and sun-loving plants.’

FLIP THE LAYOUT TO

SUIT THE SUN

Dropping the idea of having the seating area near the house is often a good plan with a north-facing garden as the far end is usually the place that catches most sun. ‘The design of a garden needs to work with the orientation of the space,’ explains garden designer Charlotte Rowe. ‘This is especially important when the garden is north-facing as full advantage needs to be taken of the zones that catch most sun.’

EMBRACE SHADE-LOVING PLANTS IN RICH GREENS

A tapestry of green planting adds long-lasting interest and makes a restful combination. On first appearance, a dark corner might appear gloomy and unwelcoming, but when filled with lush foliage it’s transformed into a calm and inviting space. ‘Shadeloving plants like lush green ferns, Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) and soft tree ferns (Dicksonia antarctica) are a great solution for shady spaces,’ says garden designer Tom Massey.

In the garden pictured here, which was designed by Farlam & Chandler, planting fills every possible crack and crevice between paving and around the seating areas, which allows the space to feel like a green sanctuary in the city all year round. ‘In this shady courtyard we created a sociable L-shaped built-in bench,’ says Harriet Farlam. ‘Don’t be put off by the aspect of a north-facing garden. Instead, celebrate the diversity of plants you can use and the escapism they offer from the heat of the sun.’

RETHINK THE LAWN

If you have a small north-facing garden, then consider getting rid of the lawn. Grass needs sunlight to thrive, so you may find your lawn may not look like the verdant stretch of green you had in mind. Instead, increase the size of flower beds and use masses of planting to give you an alternative lush green look. ‘You will need a range of plants,’ says Catherine, ‘including some to suit the shady borders and some for the sunny areas. White flowers like Hydrangea paniculata will glow in the shade, while climbers can be used to cover a shady wall. Add green texture with ferns like the dwarf variety Polystichum tsus‑simense (Korean rock fern) and shade-loving grasses and shrubs.’