Kim Graham
Garden Design Studio

Setting the scene

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This site is small, but I wanted to make sure it felt like the family had different areas to enjoy. I think this makes the entertainment area feel intimate, the kids area and play shed feel separate, and there is space left to move around and take a journey through the site to the oil tank.

 

Dealing with drainage

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The first thing I addressed was the drainage of the site. I know decking half of the area would mean some rain water run off, which is why I added a soakaway under the site. The green roof shed and water butt will help alleviate the water run off from the buildings. The use of both flagstone pavers and a ground cover or gravel means that rain water is still able to pass through the earth. Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ will be used as the ground cover surrounding the flagstone pavers; it is able to thrive in moist to wet soil, and can handle the heavy foot traffic of playing children. The raised beds were used with the poor drainage in mind. Putting these in meant that we could choose the specific plants we wanted, while adding dimension to the site.

 

Practical considerations

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The narrow path down the left side of the house is lined with flag stone pavers and gravel – I knew this area would be tricky, and didn’t want to obstruct the space. A tall narrow 50 liter water butt sits on the corner of the house, and is connected to the gutter of the house.  

A 5cm wooden plank will be laid in line with the house along the ground. This is to keep the gravel and the ground cover separate.

 

Entertainment for children

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The first bed has a climbing rose and a short, compact evergreen grass in it. The rose will climb over the west wall adorning it with beautiful pink roses from early spring till first frost.

The sandpit was kept very small; this is because the kids will grow out of playing in the sand pit in the next 5 years or so. I wanted it to be small enough to create a focal point by placing a large pot and specimen plant on top of it when the kids no longer use it. The lid of the sand pit can be lifted and securely attached to the wall; there is a chalk board on the inside of the lid, which I'm sure will provide hours of entertainment.

The next flower bed is full of the same ornamental grass as the first bed . This grass is short, compact, evergreen, soft, and doesn’t mind shade, which is why it was chosen.

The shed is the kids play house and the roof will be converted into a green roof. The shed was put at this angle so when the mother is lying on the swinging couch she can see the kids playing. Behind the shed I added a Prunus ‘Spire’ which is a columnar small tree with pink blooms. This ties in well with the pink roses and the neighbors flowering cherry tree.

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The illusion of space

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The back of the bed against the NW wall will be cladded with wooden paneling running horizontally. Attached to the wooden paneling will be a large mirror; this will make the space feel larger, and three terracotta pots with Deschampisia flexuosa ‘Tatra gold’ in them; this will frame the mirror, drawing attention, creating a beautiful focal point in the garden. The raised bed will be filled with Vica minor f.alba ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ a white flowering, shade loving ground cover. This will trail beautifully over the edge of the bed.

 

Screening

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The oil tank is hidden by a timber slatted gate and wall. The ground was laid with a weed suppressing matt and topped with gravel for ease.

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Powerful planting

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The middle main flower frames the outdoor lounge, giving it an intimate feeling. This is the only flowerbed which is not tiled. It will have a mixture of Deschampisia flexuosa ‘Tatra gold’, Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’, Lavandula angustifolia 'Clarmo', and Stripa tenuissima. This will compliment the pink flowering rose and the cherry trees in a cohesive and beautifully simple way. The lavender offers a beautiful scent near the seating area, and the Echinacea was chosen for its colour and pollination activity.

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Adult entertainment

 

Either side of the fire place will be wood storage which will cover the full height of the wall, and frame the fire place beautifully. The tiling around the fire place brings it together and enhances this as a focal point.

 

Drift planting

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The last two flowerbeds flanking the entrance to the deck from the house are both full of Deschampisia flexuosa ‘Tatra gold’. This is to create repetition, cohesion, and because this grass looks amazing planted in batches. It is also evergreen, low maintenance and doesn’t mind the shade.

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Bringing the design together with detail

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The decking boards runs diagonally to make the seating area feel longer. The pergola adds to the intimacy of the seating area, and once adorned by the climbing Jasmin will really make this space feel cozy and smelling amazing. Adding festoon lights to the pergola will also give another dimension to the space at night, making it useable and accessible during the evenings and in winter.

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Lasting impact

 

Even though this space is small, I wanted it to be as eco-friendly as possible. I did this through the use of pollinator loving plants, collecting rain water, keeping some areas of the ground permeable.

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Design and write up by Kim Graham