{"id":29583,"date":"2023-12-05T11:16:09","date_gmt":"2023-12-05T10:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/26826f3f-4cc8-4ef6-965d-8cb3631d859f"},"modified":"2023-12-05T22:34:50","modified_gmt":"2023-12-05T21:34:50","slug":"be-inspired-by-a-wildlife-friendly-garden-in-london-with-a-west-coast-vibe","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/be-inspired-by-a-wildlife-friendly-garden-in-london-with-a-west-coast-vibe\/","title":{"rendered":"Be inspired by a wildlife-friendly garden in London with a West Coast vibe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Designer Barbara Samitier has transformed an urban orchard into a stylish, wildlife-friendly garden for a couple who love mid-century design as much as they love nature. Photographs Anna\u00efck Guitteny <\/p>

By Natasha Goodfellow\n <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 05 December 2023 at 10:16 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Designers are regularly asked for wildlife gardens<\/a>, and for spaces that complement the house. What was different here is that the house is an architect-designed, mid-century building, constructed from engineering bricks, concrete and copper, and that the clients loved California and wanted a West Coast vibe. The task of marshalling these demands into a cohesive whole fell to designer Barbara Samitier, who had been recommended to owners Lizzie O\u2019Grady and John Cunningham. Barbara’s plan was to allow the materials and proportions of the house to dictate the feel of the areas closest to it, with a gradual loosening of control further away.<\/p>

\"Barbara — \u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Clay pavers \u2013 the same as those used on the floors inside \u2013 form the terrace immediately outside the sliding doors, as well as the pond<\/a> terrace, which runs at a right angle to it. To one side is a small hidden garden, surrounded by yew and totally invisible from neighbouring houses, while to the other is a slick seating area of board-formed concrete around a firepit<\/a>. Concrete steps, lit with LED lights, lead up past a floating timber deck into the wilder area beyond, where a Breedon gravel path prescribes a circular route around the gently undulating site.<\/p>
You may also like<\/h4>
How to attract wildlife to your garden<\/a><\/li>
How to make a wildlife pond<\/a><\/li>
A wildlife and child-friendly garden in california<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
Around the house, borders burst with irises<\/a>, geraniums<\/a>, nepetas<\/a> and amsonias in spring, giving way to sedums, lavenders<\/a> and salvias<\/a> as the year progresses. This is also where the design makes a nod to California \u2013 or at least to warmer climes and their plants \u2013 with lush, architectural tree ferns (Dicksonia antarctica<\/em>), various species of euphorbia and even a palm tree (Trachycarpus fortunei<\/em>) in a particularly sheltered spot outside the bedroom window. Beyond the steps, great swathes of grasses (Sesleria autumnalis<\/em>, Calamagrostis<\/em> x acutiflora<\/em> \u2018Karl Foerster\u2019 and Calamagrostis brachytricha<\/em>) have been used to striking effect, creating a sense of softness against the concrete and screening parts of the garden from view, meaning every twist in the path brings with it a new discovery. Discover more about the garden below.<\/p>
$\"Barbara$ <\/figure>
Contrast and harmony<\/strong><\/p>
Part of the success in this garden lies in the contrast between the geometric hard landscaping and the soft, tactile planting. Here, a floating timber deck, constructed to avoid the expense of having to level the uneven ground below, is surrounded by billowing stands of Calamagrostis<\/em> x acutiflora<\/em> \u2018Karl Foerster\u2019 and Calamagrostis<\/em> brachytricha<\/em>. The grasses<\/a> both hide the edge of the decking and their height creates a pleasing sense of privacy while still allowing for glimpses of the garden beyond.<\/p>
The pond is planted with pygmy water lilies and Equisetum hyemale<\/em>, and surrounded by the same clay pavers that are used inside the house. Beyond it is a large existing holly<\/a>, which Barbara shaped, lifting the canopy to make it less of a thicket. It is underplanted with a circle of lime-green Hakonechloa macra<\/em> of the same circumference as the canopy.<\/p>
$\"Barbara$ <\/figure>
The red stems and succulent-like Euphorbia amygdaloides<\/em> \u2018Purpurea\u2019. Evergreen and with acid-yellow flowers in spring, it is a good foil to the concrete wall behind. Tall-growing Salvia<\/em> \u2018Amistad\u2019 adds interest in late summer and autumn, while clever lighting (under the seating area and below feature trees as well as under the steps) encourages use of the garden in the evenings too.<\/p>
$\"Barbara$ <\/figure>
The area that leads to the \u2018hidden garden\u2019 has a Mediterranean feel with plants that work well on clay including Hylotelephium<\/em> telephium<\/em> \u2018Karfunkelstein\u2019, Ajuga reptans, Nepeta<\/em> x faassenii<\/em>, Salvia yangii<\/em> \u2018Blue Spire\u2019 and Euphorbia mellifera<\/em>. Across the pond, the seating area is backed with pleached Portuguese laurels (Prunus lusitanica<\/em>) for privacy.<\/p>
$\"Barbara$ <\/figure>
A pathway of Breedon gravel leads through the wilder area of the garden, where many grasses have been used to keep maintenance to a minimum. Along the path are smaller, more delicate plants, such as Tiarella<\/em> \u2018Spring Symphony\u2019, hellebores and sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum<\/em>), to catch interest and slow pace.<\/p>
$\"\"$ \u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The master bedroom looks out onto the hidden garden, which will become even more secluded over time as the yew hedges grow. A palm tree \u2013 a nod to California \u2013 can just be seen on the left, while grasses including Stipa tenuissima<\/em> and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare<\/em>) create a soft, hazy effect.<\/p>
$\"Barbara$ \u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/figcaption><\/figure>
IN BRIEF<\/strong><\/p>
What<\/strong> Californian-inspired wildlife garden, surrounding a modern house<\/p>
Where<\/strong> London<\/p>
Soil<\/strong> Clay<\/p>
Size<\/strong> 580 square metres<\/p>
Climate<\/strong> Temperate, south- west facing garden<\/p>
Hardiness zone<\/strong> USDA 9<\/p>
USEFUL INFORMATION<\/strong><\/p>
Find out more about Barbara\u2019s work at barbarasamitiergardens.co.uk<\/a><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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Designer Barbara Samitier has transformed an urban orchard into a stylish, wildlife-friendly garden for a couple who love mid-century design as much as they love nature. Photographs Anna\u00efck Guitteny <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":29584,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"5"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/12\/be-inspired-by-a-wildlife-friendly-garden-in-london-with-a-west-coast-vibe.jpg",2560,1707,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/12\/be-inspired-by-a-wildlife-friendly-garden-in-london-with-a-west-coast-vibe-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/12\/be-inspired-by-a-wildlife-friendly-garden-in-london-with-a-west-coast-vibe-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/12\/be-inspired-by-a-wildlife-friendly-garden-in-london-with-a-west-coast-vibe-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/12\/be-inspired-by-a-wildlife-friendly-garden-in-london-with-a-west-coast-vibe-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/12\/be-inspired-by-a-wildlife-friendly-garden-in-london-with-a-west-coast-vibe-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/12\/be-inspired-by-a-wildlife-friendly-garden-in-london-with-a-west-coast-vibe-2048x1366.jpg",2048,1366,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Designer Barbara Samitier has transformed an urban orchard into a stylish, wildlife-friendly garden for a couple who love mid-century design as much as they love nature. Photographs Anna\u00efck Guitteny","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/29583"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29584"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

\"Barbara — \u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Clay pavers \u2013 the same as those used on the floors inside \u2013 form the terrace immediately outside the sliding doors, as well as the pond<\/a> terrace, which runs at a right angle to it. To one side is a small hidden garden, surrounded by yew and totally invisible from neighbouring houses, while to the other is a slick seating area of board-formed concrete around a firepit<\/a>. Concrete steps, lit with LED lights, lead up past a floating timber deck into the wilder area beyond, where a Breedon gravel path prescribes a circular route around the gently undulating site.<\/p>
You may also like<\/h4>
How to attract wildlife to your garden<\/a><\/li>
How to make a wildlife pond<\/a><\/li>
A wildlife and child-friendly garden in california<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
Around the house, borders burst with irises<\/a>, geraniums<\/a>, nepetas<\/a> and amsonias in spring, giving way to sedums, lavenders<\/a> and salvias<\/a> as the year progresses. This is also where the design makes a nod to California \u2013 or at least to warmer climes and their plants \u2013 with lush, architectural tree ferns (Dicksonia antarctica<\/em>), various species of euphorbia and even a palm tree (Trachycarpus fortunei<\/em>) in a particularly sheltered spot outside the bedroom window. Beyond the steps, great swathes of grasses (Sesleria autumnalis<\/em>, Calamagrostis<\/em> x acutiflora<\/em> \u2018Karl Foerster\u2019 and Calamagrostis brachytricha<\/em>) have been used to striking effect, creating a sense of softness against the concrete and screening parts of the garden from view, meaning every twist in the path brings with it a new discovery. Discover more about the garden below.<\/p>
$\"Barbara$ <\/figure>
Contrast and harmony<\/strong><\/p>
Part of the success in this garden lies in the contrast between the geometric hard landscaping and the soft, tactile planting. Here, a floating timber deck, constructed to avoid the expense of having to level the uneven ground below, is surrounded by billowing stands of Calamagrostis<\/em> x acutiflora<\/em> \u2018Karl Foerster\u2019 and Calamagrostis<\/em> brachytricha<\/em>. The grasses<\/a> both hide the edge of the decking and their height creates a pleasing sense of privacy while still allowing for glimpses of the garden beyond.<\/p>
The pond is planted with pygmy water lilies and Equisetum hyemale<\/em>, and surrounded by the same clay pavers that are used inside the house. Beyond it is a large existing holly<\/a>, which Barbara shaped, lifting the canopy to make it less of a thicket. It is underplanted with a circle of lime-green Hakonechloa macra<\/em> of the same circumference as the canopy.<\/p>
$\"Barbara$ <\/figure>
The red stems and succulent-like Euphorbia amygdaloides<\/em> \u2018Purpurea\u2019. Evergreen and with acid-yellow flowers in spring, it is a good foil to the concrete wall behind. Tall-growing Salvia<\/em> \u2018Amistad\u2019 adds interest in late summer and autumn, while clever lighting (under the seating area and below feature trees as well as under the steps) encourages use of the garden in the evenings too.<\/p>
$\"Barbara$ <\/figure>
The area that leads to the \u2018hidden garden\u2019 has a Mediterranean feel with plants that work well on clay including Hylotelephium<\/em> telephium<\/em> \u2018Karfunkelstein\u2019, Ajuga reptans, Nepeta<\/em> x faassenii<\/em>, Salvia yangii<\/em> \u2018Blue Spire\u2019 and Euphorbia mellifera<\/em>. Across the pond, the seating area is backed with pleached Portuguese laurels (Prunus lusitanica<\/em>) for privacy.<\/p>
$\"Barbara$ <\/figure>
A pathway of Breedon gravel leads through the wilder area of the garden, where many grasses have been used to keep maintenance to a minimum. Along the path are smaller, more delicate plants, such as Tiarella<\/em> \u2018Spring Symphony\u2019, hellebores and sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum<\/em>), to catch interest and slow pace.<\/p>
$\"\"$ \u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The master bedroom looks out onto the hidden garden, which will become even more secluded over time as the yew hedges grow. A palm tree \u2013 a nod to California \u2013 can just be seen on the left, while grasses including Stipa tenuissima<\/em> and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare<\/em>) create a soft, hazy effect.<\/p>
$\"Barbara$ \u00a9 Anna\u00efck Guitteny<\/figcaption><\/figure>
IN BRIEF<\/strong><\/p>
What<\/strong> Californian-inspired wildlife garden, surrounding a modern house<\/p>
Where<\/strong> London<\/p>
Soil<\/strong> Clay<\/p>
Size<\/strong> 580 square metres<\/p>
Climate<\/strong> Temperate, south- west facing garden<\/p>
Hardiness zone<\/strong> USDA 9<\/p>
USEFUL INFORMATION<\/strong><\/p>
Find out more about Barbara\u2019s work at barbarasamitiergardens.co.uk<\/a><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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