This front garden was a driveway with an exposed lawn to the side. It felt a fragmented space with no clear route to the front door and little sense of arrival.

 

 As the main garden, it had to feel private and secluded from the drive and lane beyond. With a space to entertain, relax and have scope for youngsters to play.

With large windows looking out onto the garden immersive planting with yearlong interest would ensure the garden was enjoyed from indoors in winter as well as outdoors in summer.

 

My design harmonises the elements of the garden, bringing them together as a whole. With a palette of hard landscape materials and planting repeated throughout the space.

 

 A path of cobbles through the driveway creates a journey through the soft planting into the heart of the garden and to the front door. The hardness of the drive has been balanced with relaxed planted edges to blur the lines between what is a drive and what may be a courtyard garden. Vertical planting forms a children’s play area and screening to create secluded spaces for sitting and being amongst the planting.

 

With bold planting, this garden offers a practical, nature rich haven to be enjoyed by the whole family. It offers a beautiful, plant filled welcome right to the front door.