SIMPLE DESIGN FOR TOWNHOUSE GARDEN

Nr. ST NEOTS, CAMBRIDGE

The owner of this property had bought it specifically to let. So he was looking for a low cost and easy to maintain garden design but, he also wanted it to look good so as to make it desirable to potential tenants.

The existing few slabs outside the back door had to be retained as the basis for the patio and he wanted it to have a pergola, other than that I was free to come up with the rest.

When looking back at the building the pergola (once clothed with climbing plants) will break up the imposing facade of the three story townhouse by providing a point of focus in the foreground.

I lifted the path which was very dull and led the eye straight to the back fence without pause and reused those slabs to extend the patio area. By putting a dog-leg in the path it makes it longer and adds interest, allowing for planting to break up the visual journey from the back door to the gate.

As with all townhouse's, strong geometric design works well when viewed from the first floor balcony.

The planting is easy to maintain, tough shrubs that will take a hard prune and recover well if they are neglected. A lawn has been used as a cost effective way of filling space as well as for visual effect.

The gravel path is laid on membrane over the old hardcore base that was under the original path and the remaining hardcore was dug out and reused under the extended area of patio.

This garden was extremely economical and provided outstanding value for money without compromising on the quality of the build.

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