Small Front Garden, Bristol

The Garden Brief

The existing garden was a small awkward wedge shaped front garden on a sloping site with a slippery path.

The plant enthusiast clients wanted a garden which provided an enjoyable and easier route from the gate to the front door. A garden not only to walk through, but also to potter within and enjoy. Currently the maintenance of the planting was tricky with a large, mounded and sloping planting border on one side. On the other side, a planting border that constantly struggled.

The main aim for the garden was to create a relaxing transitionary space which created a welcoming arrival to the home.

The Garden Design

With the design I looked to expand the width of the garden and maximise the space available. The existing garden felt small due to the narrow constant path and overwhelming mound of planting on one side.

Taking inspiration from the shape of the site, I broke down the slope of the garden into three dynamic wedges fanning out. Each wedge its own level that stretched across the garden. As a result this simplification of the slope created easy terraced levels.

I designed a space to evoke a relaxing and calm atmosphere. A transitionary space which encourages you to pause, unwind and step away from the bustle of the day. Abundant layers of planting welcome you into the garden, spilling onto the clay pavers.

After brushing past textural planting on the first level, the middle wedge opens up in the garden in a moment of expansion and pause. Clay pavers reach across the garden breaking the mass of planting up and creating easy access to the planting borders. A reflective pool is surrounded by textural planting ever-changing with the seasons.

Moving on the planting envelopes you again on your journey to the existing steps which feed from the recently landscaped rear garden. At the top of the steps a sunny bench catches the evening sunset.

The material palette was inspired by the house. We chose red toned clay pavers to match the red brick facade. Slate step risers compliment the dark grey front door. A garden which brings a successful combination of contemporary design with traditional materials.

The planting is abundant and diverse with interest throughout the whole year. It includes a balance of structural and naturalistic planting, incorporates height with trees, shrubs and roses and successional flowering throughout the seasons. Matrix of species blends subtly from sun to shade and back. Rather than ripping out the old garden we retained the topiary tree and reused many of the old shrubs, roses and perennials, interweaving the old with the new.

Images in the gallery are from: the first summer when the garden was freshly plants, the first winter and the following summer.

I designed this garden whilst working in the Artisan Landscapes design team, who built the garden.