Exotic evergreens provide structure for diverse planting in soft greens and whites, taking a London garden to West Coast America. Words Matt Collins, photographs Jason Ingram <\/p>

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Having previously worked with Andrew Eden of Town and Country Gardens on his former roof garden in South Kensington, Adam asked Andrew to begin developing an initial planting design. \u201cThe first thing I said was, \u2018you\u2019ve got to have palm trees\u2019,\u201d notes Andrew. Coastal evergreens<\/a> are the defining feature here: a magnificent fan palm (Washingtonia robusta<\/em>) stands close to the house, furnishing an open-plan kitchen\/dining area with an air of laid-back exoticism, along with a shimmering black pine, spiky Trachycarpus<\/em> and a feather-leafed jelly palm (Butia capitata<\/em>). You can see more of how Andrew helped to give Adam’s London a West Coast vibe below.<\/p>
Having softened the hard edges of this mid-century property with a stylish interior, the aim was to achieve a sense of \u2018messy contrast\u2019 in the surrounding garden. The result is an eclectic mix of structural foliage and tranquil, naturalistic planting that channels southern California.<\/p>
$\"Adam$ Adam Sykes – Wimbledon Garden – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The clean lines of Adam\u2019s strikingly Modernist, single storey house, designed in 1963 by architects Peter Foggo and David Thomas, are softened by a mix of colourful perennials and vigorous ornamental grasses, including Miscanthus sinensis<\/em>, which integrate seamlessly with cycads, pine and palm trees to create a relaxed, transcontinental feel.<\/p>
12 key plants from Adam’s garden<\/h3> $\"Pinus$
Pinus nigra Stout Mediterranean pine with a bushy habit, known as black or Austrian pine. Tolerant of most soils and sites but prefers full sun. 12m. RHS H7, USDA 4a-7b\u2020. – http:\/\/\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Miscanthus$
Miscanthus sinensis Erect, clump-forming perennial grass with feathery, late-summer plumes that fade through autumn. 1-1.5m. RHS H6, USDA 5a-9b. – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Dicksonia$
Spectacular tree fern from the forests of eastern Australia with impressively large fronds. Thrives in a moist, semi-shade environment. Looks best planted with complementary woodland plants. 4m. AGM*. RHS H3, USDA 9a-10b. – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Yucca$
Evergreen yucca from southeastern USA and north Mexico, known as the beaked yucca. Sword-shaped, glaucous leaves form a sphere atop a woody stem and surround attractive, creamy-white, summer flowers that grow in clusters from a tall central spire. Best suited to a gravel or Mediterranean planting scheme. 3.5m. RHS H5, USDA 5a-10b.2020) – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Cycas$
Sago palm with tough, deep-green, shimmering foliage. A native of southern Japan, it prefers a sheltered position, bearing cone-like inflorescences in summer. A show-stopper evergreen for the dry garden. 80cm. AGM. RHS H2, USDA 9a-10b. – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Verbena$
Reliable, vigorous and long-flowering perennial extending compact, flat flowerheads of light purple. A tall, branching habit allows it to float above dense planting schemes. Leave stems for structural winter interest. 12m. AGM. RHS H4, USDA 7a-11b. – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Betula$
Betula utilis Fast-growing, architectural Himalayan birch with bright, paper-white bark. Excellent tree for small or urban gardens, and looks best when grouped. Foliage turns a rich golden yellow in autumn. 12m. RHS H7, USDA 5a-8b. – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Washingtonia$
Washingtonia robusta Large, tender, evergreen palm with a fast-growing, slender trunk and fan-shaped leaves with elongated individual leaflets. Very attractive grown in pots, both indoors and out, but will struggle at temperatures below -5\u00baC. 12m. RHS H1C. – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Hakonechloa$
Hakonechloa macra A clump-forming, herbaceous bunchgrass turning lush green to bronze in autumn, and remaining an attractive light yellow through winter. A versatile underplant preferring sun to shade, H. macra will tolerate most soils and exposed sites. Needs to be kept moist, however. 40cm. AGM. RHS H7, USDA 5a-9b. – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Tetrapanax$
Tetrapanax papyrifer \u2018Rex\u2019 A popular, paddle-leafed, Taiwanese native with an impressive, arching habit. Enormous, lobed leaves are raised on slender stems from a small, central trunk. Suckers allow it to spread, although these can be removed if undesired. 4m. RHS H4. – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Butia$
Butia capitata A hardy, feather-leaf palm from Brazil, known as the jelly palm. A spray of fine, curving leaves stem from a dense trunk that grows as well in a pot as it does in the ground. Remove tatty lower leaves to keep looking fresh. 10m. AGM. USDA 9a-11b. – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Scabiosa$
Scabiosa columbaria subsp. ochroleuca A clump-forming perennial producing a mass of creamy-white to pale yellow, pincushion-style flowers on branching, wiry stems with narrow, grey-green leaves. Plant in full sun on well-drained soil. 80cm. RHS H5, USDA 4a-9b. – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>