Front gardens have popped up with increasing regularity in my work over the last couple of years.
Not only do people want a good looking approach to the house, they need somewhere to park the cars, easy access to the front door, and as our lives get ever busier, a garden that almost takes care of itself.
Several times I've heard people say that their project is "too small" for a design, but actually, that's where you need to make the most of what you've got, and forward planning is always the key
This house that I designed the borders for in Shamley Green was an excellent example.
When they moved into this house, the current front "garden" was at a lower level than the road, - there was an awkward step to get over to reach the front door and there was only parking for one car.
What was needed was a larger area of driveway, and a way of incorporating the slope into the design.
Because it was on a slope, we needed somewhere for the water to run off to when there was rain, so a border all across the lower side of the space was planned, along with a planter around the window make a feature of the change in levels.
For the bay window planter we put in easy care shrubs and perennials. Taller Hydrangea, Rosemary and Perovskia for the deeper side of the planter. Smaller flowing Geranium Rozanne, and Ceratostigma for the doorstep side.
The other border needed really hardy plants that could take excess rainwater, occasional feet, and minimal maintenance.
Penstemons, Hebe, Stachys, Heucheras, Erigeron and Salvia fulfilled the brief, with bulbs hidden underneath as a spring bonus.
2 years later, this is the spring result
The planning has meant that no additional plants have been needed, and those that are there are still growing and happy.
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