My photographs don’t really do the view of St Pauls justice, but hopefully they illustrate how in one season the new raised bed/containers and planting was able to dramatically transform this unusual space.
The client asked for “a jungle”, plus screening from the office block across the road, and also that I be careful not to block his neighbour’s view of St Pauls.
On a very wet and miserable day in December 2011, with the help of the client and his partner, we transported all the plants via the lift to the 3rd floor.
We planted a few varieties of evergreen New Zealand wind-tolerant trees – supplied by Avant Gardener to give height and screening. Beneath these we planted a collection of long-flowering, wind tolerant summer perennials and bulbs.
Automatic soaker-hose drip irrigation has been key to the success in what is a very exposed and difficult site.
The client wanted to maintain the garden, so I only popped in twice during the summer of 2012. It was a relief to see how well everything had done under his care and I am looking forward to tackling the final section of the terrace – the semi-circular St Pauls viewing deck – sometime soon.