The Herbal Garden

Description

This herbal garden is attached to the kitchen side of the house which is a renovated barn with a clay chalk with flint and alkaline soil.  The garden itself was a rectangle of mostly bricks, no planting and a grubby fence, although it was sound.  The end of the garden had an unattractive oil storage tank that cannot be moved.

Design Brief

The clients wanted a mix of areas for growing edibles whilst including some ornamental herbal planting.  This area was to be used for family dining and relaxing in the evenings.

Garden Design

Rectilinear stone pathways run through to the circular seating area which is enclosed by planting.  The tatty fenceline was given a treatment of black paint to link in with the house cladding, and a zingy, fresh evergreen hedge was planted in front of it.  Wooden trellis work supports the fan trained apple tree at the same time hiding the oil tank.  The same wood was used on top of flint filled gabions to provide additional seating.

A mix of ornamental plants and edibles included Lavender, Pittosporum, Actaea, Verbena, varieties of Salvia, Rosemary, Thyme, Fennel, Wisteria, fan trained Cherry, Perovskia and Erigeron.  Spring interest from Narcissus, Tulips and Alliums helps to bridge the seasons too.