Garden Design - Stanmore, Harrow HA7
This large garden will be landscaped to maximize its potential and make the most of the natural rising slope. The design features a series of levels and distinct areas, linked by a sinuous path.
Directly adjoining the house is a large patio laid in mint fossil sandstone. This patio is bordered opposite the house by a long curving retaining wall separating the upper and lower garden. This wall will feature an integrated bench with decking seat, which will merge into a curved bed as it travels to the left. This bed will benefit from a bespoke water feature, comprising three stainless steel tubes set as spouts into the side of the retaining wall from which water will cascade into a pool below.
A decked circle set into the patio will provide a dedicated area for a café-style table and chairs, while curved channels dressed with decorative aggregate will be installed in the paving to provide additional interest. To the right hand side, a barbeque area with a built-in counter top and storage will allow for al fresco food preparation.
To the left of the lower area, steps will lead the user to the upper garden. A curved pathway constructed from compacted hoggin with granite setts edging, will runs arc in an s-shape up the garden around two large elliptical lawns. At the further end of the first lawn, a random-lay sandstone circle edged with granite setts will provide a secondary entertaining and dining area.
To the left of the path around the first lawn will be a large children’s play area. This area will house play-frames and a trampoline and will benefit from a deep mulch of play bark for safety. A secondary, secret pathway, laid with a colourful rubber self-binding surface, will run through the children’s area, starting at the steps and terminating at the second lawn finished in colourful rubber mulch. At the start of this path will be a small summerhouse and three timber archways to create a sense of mystery and excitement at entering a new and semi-secret area of the garden.
The sense of seclusion in this area will be increased by a series of screens installed in the planting bed between the main hoggin path and the play area. Constructed from upright new railway sleepers between which panels of rusted A142 re-enforcing mesh will be attached, the screens will sit between colourful perennials and tall grasses, to give the children’s play area a distinct feeling of separation and privacy.
After the circular sandstone patio at the right hand side of the space, the main path will sweep to the left around the second oval lawn and terminate in a circular hoggin patio in the top left corner of the garden. This patio will be enclosed by three curved raised beds around its circumference, which can be planted with a variety of vegetables. This productive section of the garden will also benefit from a fruit tree in the very corner of the space.
Planting will vary throughout the garden according the aspect and relative shade. The central, sunnier, section will feature perennials and grass borders and will be complemented by edging borders of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and perennials. The more shaded areas under the mature trees will feature woodland planting. The lower garden will feature architectural planting in-keeping with its more structured, formal feel, including tree palms and tree ferns chosen to create an air of drama.