This long and narrow partially shaded garden of a terraced house in the centre of Leamington Spa was completely overgrown with large shrubs thus leaving little space for anything else.

After initial discussions, the owner decided to have the whole site cleared. The client’s brief was to produce a contemporary design that provided a small paved area by the house, an area for entertaining at the end of the garden, a storage shed and a utility area. Also required was some privacy from the neighbouring properties.

The design partitioned the site into three garden rooms giving the illusion of a more spacious area by using two simple pergolas trained with white climbing wisteria and blue clematis as a dividing framework. Planting has been kept to a limited palette using greens, creams and pale blues with splashes of warm pinks in the summer. A small seating area constructed in sandstone by the house gives views through the pergola to the lawn beyond. Partially shaded borders have been planted with climbing and shrub hydrangeas, hostas, heucherellas, choisya and nandina domestica for all year interest. Bamboos were positioned along the side border to give subtle evergreen privacy from the neighbouring property. In the middle garden a small lawn was laid with a stepping stone pathway linking the three gardens together. Four small decorative pear trees were positioned either side of this garden to shield distant buildings. The pale cream rose Litchfield Angel highlights the borders in the summer with blue ceanothus bushes for bright spring colour. At the end of the garden, there is ample room for alfresco entertaining and a screened utility area softened with semi evergreen honeysuckle. Subtle under lighting enhances the planting, bringing the garden to life at night.

The owner of this property is now able to enjoy sitting in the afternoon sun, surrounded by borders full of beautiful lush planting. Divided into ‘rooms’ gives the illusion that this garden is much more spacious and that at the same time, creates different areas of focal interest.