Andy Sturgeon originally designed this garden and recommended me to the owners. It continues to be one of my most favourite jobs ever, especially because the clients are so enthusiastic and appreciative about the garden and our efforts.
The garden is right on the Thames, so I have added a few clumps of wetland wildflowers – some of which had already seeded themselves into the protective boundary wall above the tide line .
As a result of a request from the neighbour, we removed the fat privet hedge on the left hand side of the garden, which has allowed much more space for flowers. We also added three extra river birch trees (Betula nigra), to give privacy from overlooking windows, whilst on the central sun loungers. We have also removed sections of Andy’s “yew spine” that runs down the centre of the garden, because the clients wanted more colour.
One of the clients is a keen cook, so we grow herbs and salad in the garden and in pots near the kitchen. Last year we even had runner beans and nasturtiums – for their edible flowers – growing on the new fence, which replaced the old fat privet hedge.
We add bulbs every year and encourage self-seeders so that the garden is constantly evolving.
