This narrow, sunny garden part of a lovely sandstone terrace of houses needed upgrading following an extension to the house. Play, relaxing, storage and entertaining spaces were needed, with a contemporary, clean aesthetic. Steel arches divide areas, act as a frame for a swing and tie the extension aesthetic through the garden. 

Planting scheme

Hardy palms (Trachycarpus fortunei), Japanese Acers, Yuccas and ornamental grasses keep the emphasis on foliage and texture. Native Molinia caerulea ('Heidebraut' and 'Transparent') combine with taller Stipa gigantea and Miscanthus silberfelder, which will screen the lower garden past eye height in a couple of seasons. Heucheras, ferns and Fatsia japonica provide further foliage contrasts.