Formal Parterre for a Front Garden

Formal Parterre Front Garden

Formal Parterre Front Garden

Formal Parterre Front Garden

Design Plan for Parterre

A lot of people would think that formal parterre gardens are a thing of the past or something for only very large gardens on country estates.   Think again, as you can make a lovely statement in any garden front or back garden if you wish with a formal parterre.     In this case we were asked to re design the front garden of a period style home in south Dublin and totally transformed the garden into a formal parterre which beautifully compliments the house.    We used soft red bricks in a basket weave pattern to create a straight path to the front door and then continued the brick around the parterre to create a formal arrangement of borders surrounded by paths of gravel.

Garden Before Transformation

Garden Before Transformation

A central feature standard laurel was used as a gorgeous focal point in the centre of the parterre under planting it with two circles of low growing hedges in varying colours and textures which will eventually grow and be maintained at two different heights.    Box balls were used on the corners of the parterre for added formality and structure, off setting the more informal plantings of mixed perennials in the other borders to soften the effect.    A range of plants and bulbs were used to give colour from spring to autumn, but we used mostly only white flowering plants with a touch of purple.

Whilst planting this garden we received an unexpected number of queries, compliments and questions from passer bys and neighbours as they were all looking forward to see how it would turn out.    I can’t wait to see it in flower next year and I am sure it will not disappoint the neighbourhood!

Simple Garden Design for a Rectangular Back Garden

Rectangular Garden Design

Rectangular Garden Design

Sometimes the simplest design option is the best.     The secret is to know when this is the case.    In this garden design, the garden was basically rectangular with a narrow section of the garden adjacent to an extension jutting out of the house.

The existing garden had two positive aspects which had to be embraced and made into features in themself.   The garden was surrounded by wonderful old stone walls, unfortunately some parts were not in great condition but still they were going to make a gorgeous back drop to the new garden.

Garden Bench

Garden Bench

There was a slope upwards in the garden.   A slope is always something I love to see as one often has to create height in a garden, whereas, when it already exists, you just have to exploit it and make it into a feature in its own right.

A patio finished in kota blue limestone was created in the narrow section of the garden adjacent to the extension to the house.   This was backed up by a low wall and steps leading to the rest of the garden.    The patio was softened by corner beds filled with plants and the wall was made from narrow slithers of the patio slabs which gave a nice textural contrast to the paving slabs.

Back Garden Design

Back Garden Design

The upper garden is basically rectangular in shape with borders of flowering plants around the sides nicely wrapping around the garden shed tucked into the corner.     A small section of paving was positioned against the stone wall in the upper garden to provide space for a bench set to enjoy the sunshine.       A path was required to the end of the garden, however, in order to ensure that this did not interfere with the lawn space itself stepping stones hugging the edge lead down the garden through the lawn to the rear gate and shed and provide a nice feature to finish this garden design.

Kerb Appeal for Front Garden Design

Front Garden Design to give your garden Kerb Appeal

Kerb Appeal for Front Garden Design

A good front garden design can greatly improve the overall appearance of your home and can add to its value too.   Front Gardens can often be neglected spaces with large areas of the garden taken over for car parking at the expensive of lawns and plants which soften the outside of houses and settle them into their environment.   Getting an attractive front garden to give your house Kerb Appeal is not as difficult or as expensive as it may at first appear.

Kerb Appeal for Front Garden Design

Kerb Appeal for Front Garden Design

Gardens have been getting smaller and front gardens are often only the depth of one car to allow for off street parking.    With this size garden, it is not necessary to have a lawn, however, to have an attractive front garden it is essential to add some borders and attractive plants.

If you don’t want a lawn then the surface area can be broken up by using other materials which contrast with the hard landscaping used in the parking areas.   In this example, the front garden was effectively shared between two houses.    We transformed this area by creating staggered borders, edged in blocks whose colour complimented the brick used in the house and the front wall.   Paths of beach pebble surround the borders,  creating a design which nicely breaks up the area, allows for borders filled with softening plants and yet is very simple, not expensive but is effective in giving this garden real Kerb Appeal.

Small City Garden Design

Small City Garden Design

Small City Garden Design

Small city gardens can be some of the most challenging gardens to design but they can also be the most interesting and rewarding to the garden desinger when they see the garden finished.    There are a lot of lost corners in city areas which could be developed into wonderful outdoor spaces which merge with the interiors of their houses and extend living spaces.

This Small City Garden Design was completed for a city garden close to the centre of Dublin and it makes use of space brilliantly whilst also making a very attractive outdoor space.     The key garden design ideas in this garden include a built in table,  benches and planters plus a very striking piece of garden sculpture positioned centrally in the garden.   The garden was also unusual as it could be accessed from stairs entering onto the ground floor or from the doors into rooms in the basement with large windows looking out into the garden on both levels.   The views from both these areas therefor had to be considered in the design to ensure that the garden could be enjoyed when viewed from either the inside of the house or when outside.

Small City Garden Design

Small City Garden Design

Sometimes we have to sacrifice garden features which some people think are necessary for a garden to be a garden, for instance, the Lawn!   All gardens do not have to have a lawn,  it can be nice if wanted but it is not necessary in small gardens.    Maximising on space and utilising it to the best advantage of the occupants of the house are the most important aims.    Minimising on planting can also be considered if a very low maintenance garden is required, however some planting including a few structural plants is necessary to soften the hard lines of the surrounding city landscape.

Sculpture is a great addition to a small city garden design.    However, sculpture is a very personal choice and must be done not only to suit the space but also to the clients taste.   If you love a piece of sculpture you have been party to choosing, then you will really appreciate sitting in the garden and enjoying it.

Sometimes small city gardens can be shady and overlooked, however,  whether an outdoor space is useful should not be decided based on the amount of direct sunshine it recieves, city gardens are probably mostly used when the sun is already low in the sky, when  even the most open gardens may also have lost direct sunlight or when it is already dark.   Outdoor lighting can make a city garden look really attractive on a warm summer evening and if you add to this a gas outdoor fire and some screening, you have a really lovely warm atmosphere to enjoy in the evenings.