Back Garden Design Frinton-on-Sea
About This Project
A prime example of garden design Frinton-on-Sea. This back garden had several challenges all of which are typical of the area. Poor drainage, a higgledy piggledy layout and owners who were approaching retirement age and wanted more leisure time and less work.
Here’s how Tapestry Design Studios approached the garden design.
About the garden before it’s re-design
This perfectly sized back garden is a lovely regular shape and catches the sun beautifully in the afternoon. However, it was crammed with features, some of which were tired, others were labour intensive. A conifer hedge was stealing space from the garden and the drainage was so poor as to render the garden unusable during the winter months. In addition, the garden is overlooked by neighbours on two sides. It was certainly time for garden design!
What our clients asked for
Mr and Mrs H are of a certain age and wanted an outdoor space where they could enjoy their retirement. Mindful that their mobility may become impaired in the years to come, they asked for wide, slip resistant paths with few, if any steps or changes in level.
This lovely couple also wanted to be going out and about in their retirement – not stuck at home tending the garden. So low maintenance was a key factor. They also asked for space to entertain family and friends.
Problem areas
The drainage definitely needed addressing but there was something else to think about too. Mr and Mrs H were thinking about putting an extension on the house but they hadn’t quite settled on a plan. Meaning that this garden design would need to be adaptable.
The finished garden design Frinton-on-Sea
Katie from Tapestry Design Studios has an incredible talent for seeing beyond what is already in a garden. In no time at all she had created simple, uncluttered design that took full advantage of all the sunlight that floods into the garden.
Interlinking paved spaces make it easy to move around the garden and are wide enough to mobility aids should the couple need them in the future. Every garden needs a focal point and Mr and Mrs H chose a pretty summer house that can double up as storage space.
To screen the terraces from the neighbour’s upstairs windows, Katie designed a pergola that can be adorned with climbing plants. This will be a lovely restful and shaded spot for summer days.
An L-shaped lawn contrasts with the hard landscaping and leads to lovely wide planting beds. In this case, planting beds are Katie’s secret weapon….the garden slopes slightly towards them so that they can soak up excess rainwater.
Materials and Planting
Planting is low maintenance but very functional. A pair of sorbus (Rowan) trees and a beautiful Malus profusion (Apple tree) were planted along the fenceline to provide screening. Between them, they will supply blossoms, berries and autumn colour – so all year round colour. Katie was very careful to also include replant two roses from the original garden. These have great sentimental value to the clients.
For the hard landscaped areas, Katie recommended Raj Green Sandstone – a wonderful soft coloured stone with warm tones. This was teamed with oak sleepers to edge the lawn. The landscapers built a bespoke pergola on site.
The garden was built by local landscaping company Holland Landscapes
The Client’s reaction
“Our garden is now finished and will derive much pleasure and enjoyment watching it grow into the layout and planting design vision you had for us.
This was the first time we have had a garden designed and landscaped and it all went like clockwork and we are so pleased with the results.
We made the right choice to use Tapestry Design and would not hesitate to recommend you to others.
Thank you for your hard work and attention.”
Mr & Mrs H
