The initial plot was uninspiring and a bit daunting to the uninitiated. Apart from being a very odd shape, the plot fell away from the house by several feet. Despite a step, the fall of six brick courses from back door to garden level felt like a huge drop. In addition the far corner of the main area almost ran with water in the winter and then dried out in summertime. The existing patio was old, tarnished and of poor quality. One truly redeeming feature was the wooded copse adjoining all along the wiggly boundary.
The brief from my clients pointed out these difficulties and requested an area to sit and entertain in the sun, as well as another in the far corner that would be mostly shady. Two young children needed to be thought of and although an area was to be set aside for their play equipment I had it in mind from the start that the main garden should also engage their interest. My clients had already tried to add plants to the borders but with the thin soil holding little moisture only the toughest ones had managed to get a good hold. More well chosen planting was both needed and requested.
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