ROUNDED APPROACH
Natasha and Gary’s creative, hands-on makeover transformed their featureless garden, introducing sweeping shapes, varied levels and lush, low-maintenance planting
Whenjackson
Natasha and Gary
bought their home, the back garden was long, narrow and neglected, with a concrete path sloping down the centre to a decrepit shed. ‘There was rickety fencing on either side, some horrible gravel, a scrappy bit of grass, and a few plants,’ says Natasha. ‘It needed a total redesign. We wanted it to feel wider, with different zones to make it much more interesting and inviting.’
The couple gathered ideas online and developed a new layout. Because the sun moves down the garden through the day, they decided on seating areas at either end, one on a sandstone patio and the other on timber decking. A curved, shingle path sweeps from one side to the other, linking the two areas and highlighting the width of the plot. ‘We built a new summerhouse at the far end, and rounded raised beds on either side of the path,’ says Natasha. ‘The large central one is lawn, and we’ve packed the others with low-maintenance trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs.’
With budget in mind, Natasha and Gary salvaged the few usable plants and, apart from laying the patio, they tackled all the restructuring and planting themselves. Given the garden’s incline, it was a challenge to get the raised areas perfectly flat and at the correct heights, but working with spades and spirit levels they achieved their aim. ‘It took us a long time, but we’re absolutely delighted with how it’s turned out,’ says Natasha. ‘The planting feels lush and there’s colour from early spring right through the year. There’s a bit of weeding and mowing, but the garden largely takes care of itself, so we can relax over lunch on the patio, and enjoy the evening sun on the decking.’
PERFECTING THE PATIO
Buff-coloured sandstone gives the patio a warm, rustic texture, contrasting with Mediterraneanstyle white raised beds linking the patio and lawn to the shingle path. ‘Gary built the raised beds from railways sleepers, making it easier to achieve smooth curves and incorporate the different levels,’ says Natasha. ‘There’s a waterproof liner inside, with metal mesh and render outside.’
Plants – Flamingo willow, Japanese maple, Olivia Rose Austin rose, Campanula garganica ‘Mrs Resholt’
TOP OF THE GRASS
The raised lawn was built up with earth dug out during the landscaping. Natasha and Gary used temporary spray paint and string attached to a stake in the ground to mark out the shape. Then they dug a trench, laying vertical sections of railway sleeper into concrete, to form the retaining wall. ‘We checked the shape from the upstairs window,’ says Natasha. ‘I scattered masses of crocus bulbs before the turf went down, so there’s colour in January.’
Plants – Flamingo willow, Japanese maple, Olivia Rose Austin rose, Campanula garganica ‘Mrs Resholt’, Clematis ‘Samaritan Jo’
PICKING PLANTS
Natasha and Gary saved spring bulbs, lilies and a large hydrangea from the existing garden, and plants given by friends and family helped fill out the beds. ‘We still spent quite a bit on plants to start with, but there’s a lot of selfseeders, like poppies and foxgloves, and perennials that come back each year,’ Natasha says. ‘I wanted unstructured, cottage-style planting, plenty of beefriendly flowers, and lavender, roses and jasmine for scent.’
Plants – Hosta ‘Sum and substance’, Clematis
‘Samaritan Jo’, Geranium
‘Rozanne’, arum lily, Rosa
‘Rambling Rector’, Rosa
‘Gertrude Jekyll’, foxglove, Iris ‘Jane Phillips’
GETTING TO WORK
Gary designed and built the summerhouse and decking. The summerhouse has insulation, lighting and heating and doubles as both storage and a work area. ‘A standard summerhouse wouldn’t have fitted as it’s quite an awkward space,’ says Natasha. ‘The decking was constructed from salvaged scaffolding planks, making it very affordable, and the slight overhang helps water drain off. I like the weathered patina and it just needs oiling now and then.’
Plants – Hosta ‘Sum and substance’, Clematis ‘Samaritan Jo’, Geranium ‘Rozanne’
THE FINISHING TOUCHES
Natasha zoned and accessorised the garden into contrasting areas.
The gentle sound of water creates a relaxing vibe around the patio. At the far end, she hung a decorative metal panel, adding light and breaking up the freshly painted fence.
‘It’s something I’ve had for years and didn’t want to use indoors,’ she says. ‘I would’ve liked a garden mirror, but was concerned birds might fly into it, so this works well instead.’
Plants – Flamingo willow, lavender, Campanula garganica ‘Mrs Resholt