Gardens

Three Birmingham gardens

Billesley

What they had:
The bed was divided into two, there was a lack of cohesion. There were very few plants and it was too shady for some of the sun loving plants that had been planted in the bed.

What they wanted:
+To feel protected and surrounded by foliage when they were in the hot tub
+To keep all the evergreen plants 
+To hide or soften the brick column 
+Lots of bold foliage

The result:
I used shade loving plants with a tropical feel. I added another Fatsia and another Cordyline for cohesion, cannas for their bold foliage and a pot of evergreens on the the column for year round interest

Acocks Green

What they had:
A very overgrown garden with some lovely established fruit trees. A 10 foot wall at the back. Large self seeded sycamore and cherry. four concrete posts in the middle of the garden (one supporting a fig tree)

What they wanted:
+ To be able to entertain big parties
+ To screen the concrete wall
+ To take out the sycamore and cherry
+ To keep all other existing plants
+ A seating area and hammock 
+ One low maintenance bed
+ A vegetable patch

The result:
We planted bamboo to soften the wall, removed the concrete posts and built a right angle pergola to support the fig and break up the space. We pruned the fruit trees, removed the cherry and built a wildlife pond around the stump, made a low maintenance bed, dug french drains and laid a utility lawn.

Balsall Heath

What they had:
An almost entirely paved, sloped garden on two levels with very few plants. A pretty east facing brick wall. Houses that overlook the garden at the back

What they wanted:
+ Bright, abundant flower beds
+ Raised veg patch
+ Shed
+ A good sized lawn
+ Seating in early and late sun
+ More privacy from the houses along the back of the garden.

The result:
A pergola was used to divide the garden a provide more privacy, Veg at the back in the sun, the top half of the lawn was levelled, a prairie inspired planting plan, campanula planted in the wall and bee friendly roses on the pergola