Holcombe
Julie and Kevin approached me in the summer of 2015. They had already completed much work to their delightful terraced house near Dawlish with sea views… However the garden had been put on hold while the interior work was completed. The client wanted to create an outdoor space that provided colour and interest throughout the seasons and to make the most of the stunning sea views.
I was inspired by the Turquoise in evidence in the paintwork and features of the house… so I recommended echoing this colour by applying a turquoise stain to the new shed … indoors was a beautiful painting with an Alice in Wonderland feel to it. I have attempted to echo this with topiarised shapes as a backdrop to the herbaceous plants …The Shrubs have still to mature before we fully achieve this look … For now verbena bonariensis creates a stunning display using the shed as a simple but effective contrasting backdrop. Herbaceous perennial plants including hardy geranium, sedums, dahlias and anthemis form a tapestry effect and will be complemented by bulbs in the spring, intersown with forget-me-nots and aquilegias to impart a wild, tapestry like feel to the planting…
I chose a diagonal design which emphasizes the longest lines of the garden, making it appear bigger. We replaced an outdated crazy paving patio with a handsome sandstone one, and added extra space for taking in the views with a triangular deck made from reconstituted plastic boards that require much less maintenance than the wooden counterparts and last longer. In the farthest corner a small triangular barbecue area has been created that can be enhanced with a variety of pots for colour in the spring. An architectural looking agave plant provides focus in a modern square planter currently… these plants can be successfully grown in this mild coastal area … a triangular lavender raised bed has also been incorporated close to the BBQ area, attracting bees and providing wafts of intoxicating fragrance in summer…’