My client wanted a low maintenance front garden with an ‘oriental theme’ and a larger driveway. I took inspiration for the design and colour of the raised sleeper beds from Japanese shoji screens and yakisugi.
I wanted the space to have a Japanese feel rather than be a pastiche of Japanese garden styles. Minimalism, simplicity and calmness are central to gardens of this style. Water, stone and plants are also key elements.
I have enlarged the driveway as the brief requested and created focal points to the left hand side of the new path – a bubbling water feature draws the visitors’ attention away from the parking space and encourages them to slow down and look towards the new feature trees and lush planting.
The pale grey hard landscaping materials and black raised beds compliment the white rendered facade of the house.
The planting uses a restrained pallet to keep a calm, minimalist feel with evergreen species for all year interest as well as spring and summer bulbs. An iconic Japanese maple and cherry tree add drama and height.
3D images can help the client get a feel for how the new garden might look – planting is representative giving an impression of colour and form rather than being botanically correct.