View Garden

Location: Erinvale, Somerset West
Completed: July 2020

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​BRIEF: Since this small garden is the only view from within the house, it was an important space for Barbara and Martin to optimise into a beautiful view garden. Barbara had a particular yearning for a soft, romantic feeling with Mediterranean influences and a sprinkling of whimsy.

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CHALLENGES: A massive hedge on the neighbour's property means that the garden is in total shade in the winter yet it receives many hours of baking sun in the summer. An unsightly retaining wall requiring coverage. 

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SOLUTIONS:
We removed the lawn which didn't serve any purpose, was not coping with the climatic extremes and also did not provide visual interest
We then installed a Mediterranean-styled gravel garden, with a special focus on species which could tolerate winter dormancy while flourishing in the summer sun.  
We planted a mix of Ivy Geranium and Asparagus fern which has effectively covered the retaining wall so that it is now a beautiful backdrop. It is also home to a number of Robins who nest inside it. 

The pièce de résistance was a cozy seating area, making this garden the ultimate summer retreat.​​​​​​

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