Clapham old town

Size: 165m²
Aspect: South-facing
Service: Garden Enhancement & Planting Design
Brief: Reinvigorate existing space, retain mature elements, sustainability, and seasonal interest

The garden was long and narrow, with a third of the available space underused and unloved. The client wished to retain key elements of the garden’s existing design and planting, whilst making the space beneath a magnificent cherry tree much more inviting.

Taking inspiration from fixed elements of the existing structure and planting, we created a Japanese-inspired terrace under the cherry tree, featuring blackened composite wood and gravel, to create a more useable and enlarged seating space. Planting surrounding this was updated sensitively, harmonizing new shrubs and perennial choices with existing trees and plants.

Across the rest of the garden, we made subtle layout refinements, introduced a small terrace to enjoy evening light for drinks, and refreshed the borders with a thoughtfully designed planting scheme, blending what was already thriving with fresh new layers of planting to increase colour and seasonal interest. The result is a wider garden full of colour and interest and a tranquil new space tucked away out of sight at first, that delights and surprises the visitor.