Urban Exotic Garden
Streatham, South West London
The design brief for this garden focused on crafting an elegant and inviting space for entertaining, highlighted by exotic and architectural planting. To achieve this vision, bold and robust materials were chosen for the hard landscaping. The combination of black decking and grey concrete slabs contrasts with the lush greenery, creating a sophisticated and visually dynamic environment.
On the left side of the garden, we constructed a bog bed using recycled railway sleepers, providing a perfect setting for a majestic Gunnera manicata, which serves as a dramatic focal point.
At the rear, we planted a wall of red-stemmed bamboo, Fargesia ‘Jiuzhaigou’ adding a vibrant and contemporary feature to the garden and functioning effectively as a noise barrier against the nearby railway. Integrated mood lighting further enhances the bamboo, particularly in the evening, creating an atmospheric backdrop.
The right side of the garden embraces a Mediterranean-inspired theme, where silver and grey-leaved plants are artfully paired with burgundy-leaved shrubs and perennials, offering a pleasing contrast and warmth to the overall design.
We planted the dining area flower bed with herbs interwoven with Euphorbias and Hydrangeas. This careful selection releases invigorating fragrances during the summer, enhancing the sensory experience and adding to the appeal.
Mood lighting – is installed throughout the garden. This lighting accentuates the structural beauty of the trees and foliage, ensuring that the space remains visually compelling and inviting after dark.