In Andy Sturgeon\u2019s small coastal garden hard landscaping is minimised to allow for multiple planting opportunities. Words Annie Gatti, photographs Jason Ingram. <\/p>

Andy Sturgeon\u2019s garden in the middle of Brighton, which he shares with his partner and four \u201cmainly teenage\u201d children, is a masterclass in how to make the most of an overlooked and sun-baked space. When he begins to describe what was there \u2013 an irregular-shaped plot extending from an apex at one end to the side of the house at the other; wall-to-wall paving; no mature plants to provide structure and shade \u2013 he says: \u201cIt was a tiny, hopeless garden, I\u2019ve no idea why I bought this house.\u201d<\/p>\n

It did have one saving grace, though: two 180-year-old flint walls, which Andy was excited about. Just 18 months later it is now a remarkably private garden with two terraces (the lower one, at the side of the house, providing a secluded seating area), beautiful textures and all the other elements that Andy had jotted down before he started: a family-sized dining table, a pond, somewhere to cook and, essentially for this RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medal-winning plantsman, masses of plants.<\/p>\n

ANDY STURGEON\u2019S GARDEN IN BRIEF<\/strong><\/p>\n

What<\/strong> Small, south-facing, urban garden.Where<\/strong> Brighton, East Sussex.Size<\/strong> About 45 square metres.Soil<\/strong> Sandy loam, improved with compost and grit.Climate<\/strong> Coastal.Hardiness zon<\/strong>e USDA 9.<\/p>\n

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The layout<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Removing the paving and nearly five cubic metres of subsoil, chalk and clay meant that he could lower the garden by half a metre, giving him more scope to plant a number of big shrubs including a multi-stemmed Osmanthus heterophyllus <\/em>and Chionanthus retusus <\/em>(both more than 3m tall when they were put in) and two trees, a Betula pendula <\/em>and Koelreuteria paniculata<\/em>. These are key to providing immediate structure and privacy, as well as shade for seating, and to satisfy Andy\u2019s passion for shade-loving plants. Using a number of other big elements \u2013 such as chunky pieces of Purbeck limestone for the retaining walls of the main terrace and a stainless steel pool that provides a large surface to reflect light \u2013 helps to make the space feel bigger, as does the charred timber fencing covering a repaired brick wall on the east side.<\/p>\n
The dining area, where the whole family gathers from early spring onwards, is screened from neighbouring houses by two, mature, multi-stemmed evergreens. The bespoke outdoor kitchen, which houses a Big Green Egg cooker, is made from polished cast concrete, creating a similar finish to the steps leading to the main terrace.<\/p>\n
The hard landscaping<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
By keeping the landscaping to a minimum and by using different forms of the same Purbeck stone \u2013 cobbles for the main paving, rough blocks for the retaining walls, sawn and honed pieces for the steps and for the bands on the lower terrace \u2013 all of which tone with the flint and the lime mortar in the walls, Andy has achieved a cohesion that makes the garden feel restful and uncluttered. \u201cWhat I really love about Purbeck stone is that it contains greys and browns and creams, and is a different colour depending on how it\u2019s been worked.\u201d<\/p>\n
The planting<\/h3>\n
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