FRONT GARDEN RENOVATION

This large front garden in West Hampstead, London featured old trees in all shades of green, had a nice woodland feel, but was lacking the much desired burst of seasonal colour with the exception of one large Weigela 'Florida Variegata' and one cherry tree (Prunus cerasifera).

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The front patio by the house, used for relaxing and entertaining, was overlooked from the neighbour's kitchen windows; ivy and weeds were covering the rockery; large trees along the drive did not provide much seasonal interest; the long retaining wall was covered by an overgrown vine and the two pillars by the front steps were bare.

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New beds were created organically as a continuation of the rockery and planted with evergreen ferns, sweet box (Sarcococca ruscifolia), Magnolia stellata, hellebore (Helleborus x hybridus and Helleborus orientalis) , hardy heather (Erica darleyensis), cyclamen (Cyclamen coum), lily turf (Liriope muscari) and spring bulbs. 

A smaller separate bed farther down on the lawn was planted with Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight', showing off its large cone-shape flowers changing from pale green to pure white and then to deep pink in the autumn.

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An existing vine, growing over the cherry tree, was trained onto a new garden arch at the top of the stone steps leading from the front drive through the rockery and down to the main gate.

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The severely sloping rockery and surrounding borders are brought to life with repetition of colours and plants in a palette of pink, mauve, white and blue. The new planting included ferns, grasses, Mahonia 'Soft Caress' and Mahonia aquifolium, sweet box, hellebore, lily turf and bulbs

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The neighbour's side was screened with three evergreen, espalier-trained Chinese fringe flowers (Loropetalum chinense 'Black Pearl') contrasting nicely with the foliage of the existing Weigela.

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What was once an unsightly wall is now clad with evergreen shrubs/climbers such as California lilac and star jasmine (Ceanothus griseus 'Yankee Point' and Trachelospermum jasminoides), clematis, rose climbers and ramblers all underplanted with bulbs.

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The planting combination for the two pillars by the front steps provides contrasting colours and texture with Heuchera 'Plum Pudding', Nandina 'Obsessed' and the dainty Erigeron karvinskianus with yellow daffodils growing through in the spring.

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The side of the drive now features three beautiful cherry trees (Prunus 'Accolade') underplanted with rhododendron shrubs and a previously bare patch near the back gate was planted with Hydrangea quercifolia.

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