{"id":15060,"date":"2022-10-04T15:23:04","date_gmt":"2022-10-04T13:23:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=15060"},"modified":"2022-10-04T15:23:03","modified_gmt":"2022-10-04T13:23:03","slug":"screen-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/2022\/10\/04\/screen-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Screen time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Different zones include a large terrace, a lawn and, close to the house, a wide, deep bed to capture the attention and draw the owners outside. The side beds, with their mix of shrubs, grasses and perennials, were inspired by a visit to RHS Garden Rosemoor in Devon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Screen time<\/h2>\n\n

Disguising a neighbouring block of flats was the key requirement in this south London garden, designed by Studio Cullis <\/p>\n\n

WORDS NATASHA GOODFELLOW | PHOTOGRAPHS RACHEL WARNE AND ALISTER THORPE<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
\n
IN BRIEF <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

What <\/strong>Family garden with wildlife corridor, designed to peak in spring and autumn, and to screen the house from flats beyond.
Where <\/strong>London.
Size<\/strong> 19m x 10m.
Soil<\/strong> Loamy clay.
Climate <\/strong>Temperate, north-west facing garden.
Hardiness zone <\/strong>USDA 9. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

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A pair of Amelanchier<\/em> x lamarckii<\/em> planted close to the house work with the cherries at the rear to effectively screen out the flats beyond. Cornus kousa<\/em> var. chinensis<\/em> help to hide the trunks of the cherry trees and combine with Libertia chilensis<\/em> and Pittosporum tobira <\/em>\u2018Nanum\u2019 to create the wildlife corridor stipulated in the planning requirements, which is designed to be left largely untouched. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Among the many benefits of urban living, privacy is rarely top of the list. Those lucky enough to have gardens often find themselves overlooked, with the all-too-frequent result that the space goes unused \u2013 it\u2019s hard to relax if you feel observed. So it was at this project in Brockley, south London, where a block of flats to the rear looked directly on to the house and garden. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cThe previous owners had done a \u2018protest planting\u2019 of sorts,\u201d says George Cullis of Studio Cullis, who was commissioned to redesign the space. \u201cTwo 14m-high leylandii and an 8m bay tree did block out the flats very effectively, but they also made the garden dark, inhospitable \u2013 nothing would grow beneath the trees \u2013 and completely unusable as a family garden.\u201d New owners Nick and Zoe agreed. \u201cWe wanted somewhere that would draw us out into the space while still providing a degree of privacy,\u201d says Nick. A lawn and large terrace were key requirements, and there were some more unusual requests, too. \u201cWe wanted quite naturalistic, understated planting,\u201d says Zoe. \u201cAnd since we have a lot of family birthdays in spring and late summer\/autumn, we decided these were the moments when we would like the garden to peak.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Taking inspiration from both forest gardens and the small, urban gardens at the South London Gallery (designed by Fraser & Morris) and the Garden Museum (designed by Dan Pearson), George has created a garden that fulfils the brief admirably. To address the need for privacy, George has chosen deciduous trees with both beautiful blossom and late-season colour, as well as a relatively dense tracery of winter branches, as the backbone of the garden. <\/p>\n\n

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The deep bed nearest the house has been designed to peak in spring and autumn, in line with the family\u2019s birthdays. Early in the year Helleborus foetidus<\/em> mixes with Galanthus elwesii <\/em>and crocuses, followed by narcissi, Fritillaria meleagris<\/em> and tulips. Later on Eurybia divaricata<\/em>, Hakonechloa macra<\/em>, Pennisetum alopecuroides<\/em> \u2018Hameln\u2019 and Anemone hupehensis<\/em> var. japonica<\/em> \u2018Tiki Sensation\u2019 take over the show. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

In a deep bed bordering the terrace are a pair of beautiful, multi-stemmed Amelanchier <\/em>x lamarckii, <\/em>which not only draw attention to the front of the garden but also frame the view of the lawn and planting beyond, bracketing it in delicate, white blossom in spring and rich, copper tones in autumn. To the rear, tall, mature cherry trees (Prunus avium <\/em>\u2018Plena\u2019), whose leaves turn a kaleidoscope of reds later in the year, fulfil a similar role as the pre-existing leylandii but with a much lighter touch, also allowing other plants to establish beneath them. Now populated with Cornus <\/em>kousa <\/em>var. chinensis, <\/em>Libertia <\/em>chilensis, <\/em>Dryopteris <\/em>wallichiana <\/em>and <\/span>Nandina <\/em>domestica, <\/em>this area is designed to be left largely undisturbed. \u201cA wildlife corridor was part of the planning requirements,\u201d says George, \u201cso this is a place for nature to do its thing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n

In contrast, the amelanchier bed close to the house \u2013 designed primarily for spring and autumn interest with snowdrops, daffodils, fritillaries, Gillenia <\/em>trifoliata <\/em>and Eurybia <\/em>divaricata <\/em>\u2013 is actively intended for human interaction. Slim gravel paths through the planting tempt you out and clumps of Pennisetum <\/em>alopecuroides <\/em>\u2018Hameln\u2019 and Nepeta <\/em>racemosa <\/em>\u2018Walker\u2019s Low\u2019 are positioned to tickle your legs as you brush by. \u201cAt 3.6m, it\u2019s a pretty deep bed,\u201d says George, \u201cbut by positioning it close to the house and making you look through it, it makes the garden seem bigger.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

Summer interest comes chiefly from the side borders and their mix of flowering shrubs, grasses and perennials including Physocarpus <\/em>opulifolius <\/em>\u2018Dart\u2019s Gold\u2019, Calamagrostis <\/em>x acutiflora <\/em>\u2018Karl Foerster\u2019 and Bistorta <\/em>amplexicaulis <\/em>\u2018Blackfield\u2019. Throughout the garden, George has been careful to choose sturdy plants that can withstand the inevitable stray balls from the children\u2019s games. <\/p>\n\n

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Wide limestone steps from the house to the terrace act as additional seating, making this a fantastic space for entertaining. The small, raised herb bed close to the house is a practical and attractive touch. Though the clients were not initially keen on grasses, they have come to love the movement they add to the garden.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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The russet tones of the amelanchiers are picked up in other plants around the garden. These include the Gillenia trifoliata<\/em> beneath the trees and the crimson glory vine, Vitis coignetiae<\/em>, planted along one of the side walls. Plants such as Hakonechloa macra<\/em> and Nepeta racemosa<\/em> \u2018Walker\u2019s Low\u2019 are allowed to spill over the gravel paths, creating a relaxed, informal feel. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Though the design is relatively formal and geometric, with a broad limestone patio providing ample space for entertaining, and with the steps down from the house acting as handy additional seating, the overall effect is fluid and unfussy. \u201cI like my gardens to look as if they\u2019ve grown up naturally,\u201d says George, adding that where trees are intended as a focal point, he always likes to pick specimens that have been grown next to each other. \u201cThere\u2019s a sense that they relate to one another,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n\n

For Nick and Zoe, the project has turned out better than they dared hope, enabling them to spend far more time in the garden than ever before. \u201cThe first thing we do in the morning is open the doors and come out here,\u201d says Nick, marvelling at the amount of wildlife they see and how long the planting lasts. \u201cFor 11 months of the year it looks full and healthy \u2013 it\u2019s a lovely bit of nature that really draws you in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

USEFUL INFORMATION<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Find out more about George\u2019s work at studiocullis.com<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
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Hard-working trees <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019d be lovely if there were another tree for small gardens that was as hard-working as Amelanchier <\/em>x lamarckii,\u201d <\/em>says George. \u201cThough it can grow up to 8m high, I like to use multi-stemmed specimens, which are lower and slower growing, and create a lovely loose, sculptural form in the garden that can cast beautiful shadows on to a wall or terrace. It also offers an enormous amount of seasonal interest, from the copper-coloured emerging leaves and masses of white flowers in spring, via the scarlet, edible fruits in summer \u2013 much loved by the birds \u2013 to its rich-red colouration in autumn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince it is so popular, a lot of nurseries offer this species so it is relatively easy to find a shape and size that suits. For this garden, I wanted trees that had a high-enough canopy to walk beneath, but not so high that they hid the cherry trees behind, when seen from the house. I also like their spreading, umbrella-like canopy, which casts a lovely dappled shade and can make for some beautiful shadow play on a wall or terrace. When the leaves fall in autumn, they make a striking contrast with the pale limestone paving below.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

KEY PLANTS <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

1 Euphorbia mellifera<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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A sturdy, dome-shaped shrub that can withstand the odd stray ball. Beautiful in rain when droplets sit like mercury on the leaves, it bears honey-scented flowers in spring. 2m x 2.5m. AGM*. RHS H3\u2020<\/sup>. <\/p>\n\n

2 Anemone <\/em>x hybrida <\/em>\u2018Honorine Jobert\u2019 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

This plant is used repeatedly throughout the garden, both for its long-lasting foliage and its pure white flowers, which light up shadier areas.A spreader, but easy to pull up. 1.25m x 1.2m. AGM*. RHS H7, USDA 4a-8b.<\/p>\n\n

3 Bistorta amplexicaulis <\/em>\u2018Blackfield\u2019 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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A perennial that\u2019s as good for its foliage \u2013 neat clumps of heart-shaped leaves \u2013 as its deep-red flower spikes, which last from midsummer to mid-autumn. 75cm x 70cm. AGM. RHS H7. <\/p>\n\n

4 Hydrangea quercifolia <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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The oak-leaved hydrangea has beautiful, cream-coloured, conical flowers in summer and as the flowers fade in autumn, the green leaves flush red and purple. 2.25m x 2m. RHS H5, USDA 5a-9b.<\/p>\n\n

*Holds an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
\u2020<\/sup>Hardiness ratings given where available.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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