Completed: 2006
Photographed: 2007
This small London garden was dominated by a large pair of Dawn Redwoods whose root systems engulfed the garden; there was an imposing high retaining wall at the bottom level and a struggling lawn.
The clients were building a contemporary glass and steel annexe to their basement kitchen, as well as a ground floor office that would lead directly out into the garden. We created a dining terrace at an intermediate level which helped overcome the awkward level change and which became an extension of the living space inside.
A dramatic gnarled, ancient Olive tree was planted as a focal point in the centre of the garden, flanked in the background by a pair of Himalayan Birches, replacing the Dawn Redwoods. Their ghostly white bark contrasts with the deep green colour of the rear wall. A green and white planting scheme with blue accents was designed. Climbing white roses and blue passion flowers were planted to cover a new bespoke boundary wall trellis.
