THE POLLINATOR GARDEN

From tired features and lack of colour to an attractive, pollinator-friendly garden with ample spaces to relax, entertain and connect with nature.

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My clients’ aspiration was an outdoor living space that would draw them outside in all seasons, planted predominantly with lots of colourful flowers that provide nectar or pollen for a wide range of pollinating insects, with modern, functional areas by the house, while keeping the existing basic garden layout.

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To achieve these objectives, the patio was re-designed to accommodate a more generous dining space under a bespoke, metal pergola, and an additional area for lounging and relaxing under a parasol, both enveloped by plants bursting with colour.

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The old patio slabs were replaced with porcelain tiles in a sleek, light grey colour, and new gravel rills were introduced along the house  façade and the new patio retaining wall to aid drainage.

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The new metal and steel wires pergola over the dining area replaced a chunky, wooden structure, providing a much lighter, contemporary feel.

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Two old wooden benches gained a new lease of life by painting them to match the colour of the planters and the furniture. They now provide additional seating under the parasol and in the shadier, lower lawn area, where there will be a firepit in the future.

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Wooden planters along the house wall furnish with greenery the otherwise bare brick façade.

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The old retaining wall, in mis-matching brickwork, and the low, unstable dry-stone wall leading to the lower lawn level, were rebuilt as one, uninterrupted structure with matching brickwork, and a nice, flowing curve complementing the informal contour of the flower beds.

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New borders around the dining and lounging areas soften the impact of the hard landscaping and provide a feel-good connection with nature.

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A group of Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ was divided and replanted along the north facing boundary to dress the new fence. Other existing plants were re-positioned and incorporated in the planting scheme, now also including trees such as an apple espalier against the garage wall, a standard Malus x robusta ‘Red Sentinel, and a standard Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Brilliantissimum’.

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Hot colours in the border behind the garage wall can be enjoyed from the bench in the lower lawn; cooler, more soothing colours and tall grasses grace the beds by the entertaining and lounging areas.

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The garden is now brimming with pollinators, bursting with colours and interest in all seasons.

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