low maintenance garden in
ashtead

Brief

The brief was to tidy up the garden, re-using the existing Indian sandstone paving slabs and create a low maintenance haven to relax in and have space for a dining set and BBQ.

Design and outcome

The Indian sandstone slabs were re-laid and this in itself made a huge difference. The paved area was broken up by introducing an area of bricks and the previous vegetable beds were made into a gravel garden using Purbeck Stone chippings.

The planting includes the large grass Stipa gigantea, Sanguisorba 'Tanna', Euphorbia martinii and long-flowering Geranium 'Rozanne'. Orange day lillies provide welcome summer colour and the boundary with the field beyond is planted with Cotoneater 'Simonsii' and Viburnum tinus, in keeping with the natural context.

The finishing touches of the furniture chosen by my client make this garden a very pleasing and also practical space, to be enjoyed without the pressure of too much maintenance.

'"Many thanks for the garden, I thoroughly enjoyed sitting out in it over the weekend- very peaceful and tranquil - which is exactly what I asked for! I have really enjoyed looking after the plants and watching them establish and grow.

I do believe that the garden will improve my quality of life - so cant thank you enough.''

Mrs Jones, Ashtead