North Hertfordshire Garden

A gently curving staircase entices you down into a lush garden full of textural foliage and subtle colours.

The new staircase was an essential addition to link the first floor with the garden as it was our clientÕs main access. Planning permission was sought as in a conservation area and the building was divided into flats, meaning different rules were in place .
The new staircase was an essential addition to link the first floor with the garden as it was our clientÕs main access. Planning permission was sought as in a conservation area and the building was divided into flats, meaning different rules were in place .
Stage 1

The Brief

Part of our brief was to create a sense of arrival into the garden, a reason to want to venture out from the first floor. The garden was also very dark, with a lot of overgrown shrubs and trees, so discreet intervention was required to thin, shape and prune existing trees to allow more light in, so the understory of plants could flourish.

Stage 2

Design and Build

Our solution was to design a gently curving Corten staircase that opened out as you descended, with climbers entwined up the balustrade to link the first floor balcony with the garden, and to open out the view. Planning permission was required for this, and once approved the rest of the design fell into place. We worked laterally across the space, to create the feeling of width, and reduce the tunnel effect the overgrown shrubs had created. The curve of the staircase is echoed in the curved path that leads you through to a secondary seating area that catches the evening sun. Plants were selected for their foliage colour, form, texture and seasonal interest.

Here we can see the textural changes provided by the Acer dissectum, Cornus controversa variegata, Taxus domes, low Pittosporum hedge, lamium ground cover and evergreen Magnolia in the distance.
Here we can see the textural changes provided by the Acer dissectum, Cornus controversa variegata, Taxus domes, low Pittosporum hedge, lamium ground cover and evergreen Magnolia in the distance.
The existing Acer Sango-kaku provides dappled shade to sit under and subtle screening of the neighbours trampoline.
The existing Acer Sango-kaku provides dappled shade to sit under and subtle screening of the neighbours trampoline.
Stage 3

Finished Project

A Corten steel moon gate directs you to the rear of the garden, through staggered lines of paving and gravel, with groundcover planting weaving its way in between the horizontal lines, Our signature oak boardwalk transports you as a secondary access through a generous planting bed on the left side through to the rear of the garden. There are plenty of seating spots throughout the garden to take advantage of shade or sun.

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The view from the first floor balcony shows the structure of the garden. The pruned existing Magnolia creates lovely shadows on the poured concrete and sandstone patio.
The circular Corten arch separates the herbaceous planting and lawn area from the rear seating and dining spot. Foliage colours and textures play an important role in the design of this garden.
Balancing forms of Yew domes, lead you down the curved resin bound path, through the Corten steel moongate and into the dining area.
Generous seating areas are surrounded in lush planting, and provide opportunities to sit in sun or shade throughout the day.
The vertical leaves of the Iris, are carefully balanced by the yew domes, with airy Astrantia dancing behind them to create a woven tapestry of textural foliage.
Curves, circles and domes are key features in the design of this garden, whilst working laterally across the full width to ensure the feeling of spaciousness.
Taxus domes, Geranium Rozanne, Astrantia major , Allium seedbeds, Lamium Beacon Silver, Amelanchier Tree, Acer Dissectum and various soft feathery grasses, Hakonechloa and Anemanthele all perform together to create a woven tapestry of planting.
Lamium is carefully placed in horizontal bands to break up the paving and resin bound path, and emphasize the width of the garden.
The Corten moongate provides a subtle focal view to lead you through the garden and down towards the rear seating area. The planting is a carefully balanced tapestry of textures, shapes and shades of green to provide interest throughout the seasons.
A built in hardwood bench under the existing Sycamore tree, provides a good place to sit with a gas firebowl for chilly evenings. The big green egg can be wheeled out for entertaining.
The Corten steel staircase gently curves into the garden to make it more enticing, The underside of the steps are also clad in corten, providing storage. We have also drilled holes in the shape of a constellation that at nighttime is lit up, for the lower patio and ground floor flat.
The Corten steel moongate provides a viewing frame from many different angles within the garden, drawing the eye through and encouraging exploration. The foliage in this garden is carefully designed and balanced to allow for contrasting textures, and colours, which are as important as flower colour.
The bespoke hardwood bench was designed to cantilever off the corten planter and sit above the roots of the existing Sycamore tree.
RThe crown of the Magnolia was lifted to allow for a clear view through from the first floor balcony, here we see how the planting is layered carefully to create subtle division with the garden.
The original staircase was dangerous and slippery and the handrail too low, so we created a more dramatic entrance with sweeping curved folded corten steps, and powder coated steel balustrade . We planted Solanum Album as we wanted something vigorous to grow up the handrail and across the first floor balcony.
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Photos by Marianne Majerus