Situation: Rear, urban garden.

Area: approximately 70m²

Aspect: South West facing.

Environmental conditions: Fully enclosed rear garden with walls of varying heights to all exposed sides. Direct sun on SW facing patio area and East-facing aspect. West facing perimeter/border part shade from neighbouring trees.

Garden uses/users: Self and partner. A garden to sit and spend more time in/relaxation. Used days/evenings/weekends, all year round.

• Hard landscaping materials to be slip and trip free (e.g. lightly textured, natural paving required, avoid loose stones/chippings etc. on any paths)
• Consider wider step or ramp design from patio to lawned area
• Handrails (e.g. at steps for patio area to lawn and level changes) – adjustable, blacksmith designed to incorporate into ‘look and feel’ of garden.
• Raised planting beds/areas and rockery with planting areas designed to be versatile but to avoid need for any low digging.
• Consider additional seating area(s) mid and rear of garden & shade for these areas
• Pathway(s) through lawn area to provide an even, all season, walking surface.

• Look and feel: ‘Wild’ and informal and not too manicured. Evoke memories of childhood garden rural/green. Seasons important. No straight lines, curved shapes and winding pathways.
• Materials: Natural materials including stone, slate, wood.
• Preferred Style: Cottage-style, but not so focused on highly floriferous plants.
• Colour palette: Purples, pinks. Colour green is important.

Easily manageable, low water requirements.

We designed the planting scheme using low maintenance plants, naturalising spring bulbs, grasses and trees/shrubs which were easily manageable, as well as having low water requirements. Annuals found in some cottage gardens are far from ideal as these can be high maintenance and need replacing every year – so we did not include these, rather, we focussed on using on hardy perennials with long flowering seasons.