UK Garden Tour: A Leafy Backyard That Looks Lush in Every Season
A Kiwi couple in London gets a new, evergreen garden designed by a fellow New Zealander for adults and kids alike
With small children, Jess and Reuven Young needed to incorporate play equipment in their garden in London, UK, as well as have plantings that would stand up to footballs being kicked around; but they wanted a space the adults could enjoy too. The garden they inherited from this home’s previous owner just wasn’t cutting it on either score.
The plot had been tended by a rose lover, but its shrubs had become overgrown, and the lawn had lost its shape. And far from being a suntrap, the terrace was positioned in the shade. “It looked chaotic,” says garden designer Tracey Parker, who transformed the space into a haven for the whole family.
The plot had been tended by a rose lover, but its shrubs had become overgrown, and the lawn had lost its shape. And far from being a suntrap, the terrace was positioned in the shade. “It looked chaotic,” says garden designer Tracey Parker, who transformed the space into a haven for the whole family.
Containing a space for dining and a barbecue, the pergola is an area where the couple can relax, swapping the old shaded terrace for evening sun. “It gives structure,” says Parker. “There were some trees [here before], but this leads the eye down the garden.”
The slatted screen conceals the barbecue. “There was actually some debate about where to put [the barbecue], but if you’re eating here, it makes sense [to have it near the table]. We wanted it to be screened, though,” says Parker.
The plants by the pergola include Stachys byzantina (lamb’s ear), Choisya, and Pittosporum. “They’re plants that would bounce back if they were whacked,” says Parker.
As well as roses, she planted three varieties of clematis on the pergola: C. ‘Frances Rivis’, C. viticella, and C. cirrhosa ‘Freckles’, which is winter-flowering. “[I included it] to make sure there was something you could see out of the picture window in the winter months,” says Parker.
The slatted screen conceals the barbecue. “There was actually some debate about where to put [the barbecue], but if you’re eating here, it makes sense [to have it near the table]. We wanted it to be screened, though,” says Parker.
The plants by the pergola include Stachys byzantina (lamb’s ear), Choisya, and Pittosporum. “They’re plants that would bounce back if they were whacked,” says Parker.
As well as roses, she planted three varieties of clematis on the pergola: C. ‘Frances Rivis’, C. viticella, and C. cirrhosa ‘Freckles’, which is winter-flowering. “[I included it] to make sure there was something you could see out of the picture window in the winter months,” says Parker.
Overall, the garden’s colour scheme is one of blues, pinks and purples. The plants that can be enjoyed from the dining area include purple Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’, pink Antirrhinum (snapdragon), and Geranium ‘Azure Rush’. “They’re easy to look after and are all long-flowering, which was important,” says Parker.
Redoing your garden? Find a landscape architect or garden designer to help create your dream outside space
Redoing your garden? Find a landscape architect or garden designer to help create your dream outside space
The couple were keen to save as many of the existing roses as possible.
The play equipment was positioned at the back of the garden. “I wanted it away from the prime view,” says Parker. “Play equipment is awkward, because it’s only [needed for] a certain number of years. With children, you have to be flexible. In future, that area might contain a kitchen garden.”
The stepping stones that lead down the garden path are timber lookalikes.
The stepping stones that lead down the garden path are timber lookalikes.
This before image shows how the original garden didn’t have much structure. The shrubs were overgrown and lots of plants had self-seeded in the space.
The area under the home’s large rear window is shady, so Parker opted for plants that would thrive here and create texture. They include evergreen ferns Polystichum setiferum (soft shield fern) and Blechnum spicant (hard fern), as well as Alchemilla mollis (lady’s mantle), and hellebores.
She also planted a small herb garden in the container under the window. “Starting small while the kids are small,” she says. “Eventually, it will move to the back [of the garden], but it’s handy for the kitchen, and there’s enough light to grow [plants].”
The terrace here is made from the same composite decking as under the pergola, and the colour blends harmoniously with the brick of the house. The white doors lead out from the playroom, while sliding doors open from the new kitchen extension. The adjacent rose plant was an existing one. “The builders took great care to save that and re-tie it,” Tracey says.
She also planted a small herb garden in the container under the window. “Starting small while the kids are small,” she says. “Eventually, it will move to the back [of the garden], but it’s handy for the kitchen, and there’s enough light to grow [plants].”
The terrace here is made from the same composite decking as under the pergola, and the colour blends harmoniously with the brick of the house. The white doors lead out from the playroom, while sliding doors open from the new kitchen extension. The adjacent rose plant was an existing one. “The builders took great care to save that and re-tie it,” Tracey says.
The same timber-look stone ‘sleepers’ as those used near the pergola were laid to allow access through the bed to the herbs.
The view from inside the house shows how the pergola creates a focal point.
Your turn
What do you like most about this family garden? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Fancy a peek at another great garden? Check out this UK Garden Tour: Soft Curves Make a Long, Narrow Plot Feel Wider
Your turn
What do you like most about this family garden? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Fancy a peek at another great garden? Check out this UK Garden Tour: Soft Curves Make a Long, Narrow Plot Feel Wider
Garden at a Glance
Who lives here: Jess and Reuven Young and their two children
Property: An Edwardian terraced house
Location: South London, UK
Size of garden: 120 square metres
Garden designer: Tracey Parker of Tracey Parker Landscape Design
The Youngs are from New Zealand and wanted a garden reminiscent of their homeland. “Kiwi clients are used to lots of evergreen structure and having something to look at year-round,” says Parker, who’s also from New Zealand.
The couple were building a kitchen extension with a large picture window, so the moment was right to tackle the garden and create a beautiful view from the house throughout the seasons.
Parker placed a pergola opposite the extension. “There was a bed there before with a path through it not leading anywhere,” she says. “Now it’s possible to look through the picture window all the way down to the pergola covered in roses.”
The surface here is composite decking in a soft grey colour. “It needed to be low-maintenance and hard-wearing,” says Parker.