This front garden, although elegant, had become very tired. The client wanted a garden that was interesting, risky, far from traditional and an extension of the house interior. Keeping that very open brief in mind, we started by removing the heavy piers and balustrade surrounding the claustrophobic front porch. The dining room windows were converted to French doors and the porch was extended to allow smooth transition between inside and out. A rhythm started to emerge on the page, gentle curves combining to produce a strong yet elegant mood.

New external colours were added to the house with the assistance of the owner and the interior designer. Various paving materials not only combine beautifully but also compliment the new house style, creating a stunning collaboration of home and garden.  Copper strips skillfully set into the exposed aggregate concrete, juxtapose the soft path edges and define garden structure as rails amongst the planting; a concept echoed beautifully in the copper-tinged Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Purpureus’ hedge.

The striking front fence provided the final piece of the material jigsaw; the HW350 steel structure fills many design components whilst complimenting the fantastic streetscape of established Platanus x acerifolia. Glimpses of the garden create a sense of intrigue without compromising issues of privacy and security. The entrance is announced by a subtle colour change to copper-clad gates, repeating design elements from the garden within.

Planting varies from austere hedging to billowing perennials and shrubs. Three existing birches were retained and under-planted with Loropetalum chinense ‘Burgundy’ to highlight the trunks. Two large, bizarre characters dominate the side fence. The first, Wigandia caracasana, reigns supreme in the corner with its large, deep green, wavy-edged leaves and violet, terminal flower-clusters. The second, Melianthus major, with its huge blue-grey toothed leaves, contrasts with the burgundy foliage of the long-flowering Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff'.

As with most Ochre gardens there is a lot going on, both in terms of structure and planting. The strong design gives a balance and comfortable ambience to the space without relying on more typical symmetry, often considered an essential element in structured gardens.