Best Way to Build a Urban Garden



Strong lines, symmetry and balance are used to create this stunning garden. The length is broken up in an innovative way by using two interlocking circles of lawn.

The strong design reflects an individual character. There is a good balance of greenery and space as well as reflections of the features contained within it, and what could be an ordinary urban garden is transformed into an intriguing, interesting area that is an invita­tion to explore and at the same time a scheme that provides a feeling of peace and harmony.

Urban Garden Best Way to Build a Urban Garden

Features

The hard landscaping uses three main types of material: small pavers, bricks and gravel. The gravel is divided into two bands of colour on each side, divided by a line of white bricks, which are continued to form the edges of the circular lawns. The lush green of the lawns contrasts with the gravel around them, and they are set in relief by the border of white bricks running continuously around them. The bricks form a path that could also be used as a track for cycles if there are children in the garden.

The pale blue of the gravel areas beside the patio contrasts beautifully with the deep grey of the pavers on the patio itself. Using the same materials but in different colours is a good way of introducing change to a gar­den and can be striking, especially if broken up with bricks, as here, in a colour that con­trasts with both colours used. The white bricks provide strong lines of definition, and complement the blue, cream and green of the gravel and lawn.

Apart from the plants there is very little ornamentation in this garden. The combina­tion of clean lines and space is maintained throughout the garden until you reach the rear boundary, which is deep, dark and lush and provides privacy. The white wall at the far end will be glimpsed through the shrubs, giving the illusion of space beyond the gar­den. Because it is white it will reflect sunlight and subtly foreshorten the garden to the eye, further reducing the appearance of length.

Urban Garden 1 Best Way to Build a Urban Garden

The fence is topped by straight-edged trellis and clothed in mainly evergreen climbers for added privacy.

Every feature in the garden, apart from the focal point of the statue, has a mirror image of its shape placed somewhere in the garden. The small fountain, for example, is mirrored in shape by a graceful Betula pen-dula (silver birch), grown on the opposite side of the patio. The trees in the far corners reflect each other in both form and shape, but because the species are different, nothing is repeated precisely.

The lawns curve away towards the rear of the garden into a deep bed of shrubs and low-growing, shade-loving plants. Using circular lawns adds a sense of width to the garden by drawing the eye across it and towards the edges, thereby breaking up the long view to the far end. The eye is also drawn to a steel statue at the far end of the lawns. This is an individual touch, which entices you into the garden, and it also cleverly leaves a curvy outline for the outer beds, and this further breaks up the long shape. There is a great deal of balance and symmetry in this garden, while the strong curves provide sharp definition and order to produce an overall air of relaxed order.

The pergola is framed by well-clipped privet hedges, and it cannot be seen fully until you ate halfway down the garden, yet the stepping stones can be seen to indicate there is something there, adding surprise and intrigue. This is the only feature, apart from the statue, that is not mirrored.

The furniture is steel, which is in keeping with the modern style of this garden and reflects both the grey of the pavers and the material used for the statue.

The essence of this garden is bold sim­plicity. There are only four containers, but they are striking blue lead and hold evergreen trailing and ornamental plants.

Urban Garden 2 Best Way to Build a Urban Garden

Features

The gravelled area is largely unplanted except for bold grasses in clusters and one or two architecturally interesting plants, such as Phormium ‘Sundowner’ and Yucca gloriosa ‘Variegata’. Placing the grass clumps in alternate rows to the shrubs gives a pattern that enforces the well-organized and bold feel of this garden.

Well-spaced shrubs along the bases of the side walls accentuate the ordered feel to the garden while their undipped forms counter the formality.



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