Garden Design Essex: Garden of the Month May 2013
This Essex Garden Design takes inspiration from 1960s motifs, seeking to divide the garden into three separate areas with a recurring circular theme throughout. Flooring in the space will take the form of three interconnected rectangular sections.
Each section will be edged with black limestone setts laid in a stretcher pattern (end-to-end) and will contain a mixture of black limestone paved circles and hoggin circles of various sizes, to create an ornate and visually stimulating focal point to the garden.
Each circle will be edged with black limestone setts to create clear definition to the design. The space around the limestone and hoggin circles will be planted with creeping thyme, that will spread to over time to create a soft sea of colour and fragrance around the hard surface areas. The paved areas will also benefit from three stunning stainless steel sphere water features (3 different sizes). Each sphere will be installed with a black sett circle edge to surround and finished with a mulch of blue glass chips around its base. The garden will be given a sense of privacy and intrigue with the addition of 6 bespoke screens installed at intervals around the patio areas. Constructed from blue perspex panels installed on timber posts, these screens will create an impressive and colourful backdrop to the space.
The timber pergola will be given additional screening with a series of funky ’70s disco-inspired hangings installed on the overhead beams. The pergola will further benefit from a suspended 60s styled rattan ball chair.
Lush, tropical planting will help screen the garden from the houses beyond. A large cordyline australis in a tall zinc planted will take pride of place in the centre of the large hoggin circle. Three 80cm box balls will continue the circular theme through the planting beds, interspersed with tall grasses and a selection of herbaceous perennials.