Small Back Garden Design
Princes Road, Wimbledon
South-west London
A low-maintenance, geometric back garden design with gravel and kitchen gardens, fruit trees & storage
I designed this small gravel and kitchen garden design for a Italian and Dutch family who converted their extension with an impressive floor to ceiling casement window facing directly onto the garden.
With their grown up children no longer needing the trampoline, the couple felt it was time to fulfil their long-held desire for a kitchen garden where they could grow their own vegetables and a sunny terrace to enjoy outdoor dining.
Thr Original Garden
The Challenge
Overlooked by neighbouring flats, the garden felt small and uninspiring and was effectively a blank canvas.
As the garden was often waterlogged, we began by digging a 2.5m deep hole into the heavy clay soil to accommodate a submerged soakaway and aid drainage, allowing plants to flourish.
Once the underground work was complete, the garden was mapped out according to the design which drew on the contemporary geometry of the rear extension.
The design reduced the size and position of the lawn and brought the planting closer to the house whilst having a more functional ‘working’ kitchen garden and storage at the end.
The Newly Planted Garden
I decided to make a real feature of the garden right in front of the full-length picture window by creating a gravel garden. I concentrated on creating a beautiful view with planting in the foreground and at different points beyond to create a greater depth of perception and make the space feel bigger.
Whilst other areas of the garden have prescribed gravel paths and stepping stones, the gravel garden allows my clients to pick different ways to walk through the garden and immerse themselves in the planting.
Not only is the garden now immersive, but it can be viewed and enjoyed all year round from inside as well as enjoyed from the outdoor dining terrace.
Creating multiple ways to explore a garden is always critical to a successful garden design. This gravel garden enabled me to demonstrate this and has ultimately made the garden feel much bigger than it did before.
To maximise productivity, I incorporated fruit trees throughout the garden, including blueberry bushes which provide beautiful blossom in spring and fruit to enjoy in the summer, plus colourful foliage in autumn.
I also incorporated herbs within the planting scheme in sunny positions close to the kitchen, for easy access and use when cooking.
My clients are delighted with their oak framed raised planters and have enjoyed eating home-grown vegetables from their easy to access kitchen garden.
To discussion your small back garden design ideas with Felicity, please
Contact Felicity
07961 148012
or email: felicity@felicityorourkegardendesign.com
"A deeply talented garden designer as well as a delight to work with, Felicity has a wonderful mix of true passion for gardening and professionalism for delivering high quality design."