A Contempory Garden Design on an Exeter Estate

This is a small garden (17 m x 13 m) on a severely sloping site, with two large storm drains bang in the middle. The soil is very heavy clay.

The clients, who are keen but retired gardeners, were looking for a garden design, which dealt effectively and imaginatively with the slope and which created 'garden rooms', with areas in which to relax and entertain.

Although low maintenance was important, they still wanted to enjoy 'pottering' in their new garden.

The patio design is of particular interest as it uses thin strips of green slate to enliven and accentuate the pattern of the paving.

This contemporary garden was planted in August just three weeks before this photo (right) was taken.