Urban Wildlife Garden, Bristol
The Brief
To provide an urban wildlife oasis which was to include lots of plants rather than lawn.
To incorporate different seating areas with the garden, one near the house and one to enjoy the morning sunshine.
To include a lily pond.
The need to obscure neighbouring houses from the new predominantly glazed extension.
My design
The garden was designed at the same time as the architect developed the plans for the extension which allowed a seamless flow between the outside and in. The interior bench seat continues outside into the garden and forms the focal point at the end of the lily pond, where a beautiful planter is positioned. Espalier hornbeam screen the neighbouring house from dominating the view and lowers the eyes gaze back into the garden space. A predominantly green canvas of leaf shape, size and colour was designed in the shadier areas nearer the house whilst more colourful self-seeding plants helped colonise the gravel areas. A patchwork of thyme weaved between the patio slabs to create a second seating area under the privacy of the pleached trees.
Materials used within the garden included Flemish pavers, pennant stone and Microcement which was also used inside the extension.
A huge variety of birds, bees, butterflies, beetles and other insect life including damson and dragonflies visited the garden regularly.