The brief for this rear garden project was to stabilise a series of earth terraces, maximise drainage, and create a low maintenance space. Black paving & red foilage was requested if feasible, so black limestone was used for the patio areas and many red-tinged shrubs were selected to give a strong colour contrast.

 

French drains were already in situ and vital to keeping field run-off under control, so these were enhanced by the addition of more gravel and large cobbles to give the impression of a flowing stream running along and through the boulder walls.

 

The top terrace has subsequently been planted with small and hardy trees – the ground bark-mulched and planted with spring bulbs. The middle terrace will be sewn with wild flower seed in the spring for a dense crop of meadow flowers.