Orpen Road

Our Brief: To create an evocative spa garden in the suburbs with planting that provided year round interest.

Our Solution: Our clients wanted to create a garden that invoked the feeling of being in a boutique hotel spa garden and included a living and dining area, a hot tub and a sauna. With space at a premium, we created a series of outdoor rooms by zoning off the different areas using a variety of visual tricks; planting, pathways and pergolas.

The scheme used a muted and contemporary palette which perfectly matched the architecture of the existing house. Grey porcelain pavers were complemented with the beautiful natural wood of a floating L shaped bench, underplanted with vibrant green ferns. Clay pavers in a very striking running bond layout were used to clad the retaining wall, then continued through to the back spa area of the garden creating a natural flow. We worked with Garden House Design to install an outdoor kitchen by Vlaze that was positioned with a dining area under a Renson canopy with retractable slatted roof that included integrated screens, creating a weather proof entertaining area. To the rear we created a dedicated spa garden that included a hot tub, sauna and space for a plunge bath.

The planting was carefully planned so that the clients could enjoy the garden throughout the year. A backbone of grasses and evergreen shrubs were complemented with successional planting that followed a stunning colour scheme throughout the months. Starting the year with a dramatic burst of whites, burgundy and burnt oranges, the colours change with the season into delicate blues, purples and lemon yellow during spring and into summer. Progressing into Autumn, the blues and purples of summer fade into a palette of soft oranges and yellows, highlighted with a deeper burgundy.

Amanda designed an incredible ‘spa’ style garden for us that we could use all year round with different areas to entertain friends, make pizzas Al fresco, enjoy a relaxing hot tub or sauna session whilst gazing out at all the fabulous and carefully designed year-round planting that gives interest and wonder each month.

Her attention to detail was second to none and her enthusiasm and knowledge shone through at every stage of the process. She helped us develop our ideas into reality with such a passion. We are thrilled with our new garden and cannot thank Amanda enough. We would highly recommend her.
— Mrs Walker

Planting list included:

  • Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'

  • Stipa tenuissima

  • Pennisetum 'Hameln'

  • Pinus mugo

  • Euphorbia myrsinites

  • Pittosporum tobria nanum

  • Oenothera linderheimi 'whirling butterflies'

  • Nepeta faassenii 'Walker's Low'

  • Geranium 'Rozanne'

  • Astrantia 'Claret'

  • Helleborus double ellen purple

  • Perovskia 'Blue Spire'

  • Achellia 'Terracotta'

  • Kniphofia 'Bee's Lemon'

  • Tulipa 'Merlot'

  • Tulipa 'La Belle Epoche'

  • Tulipa 'Queen of the Night'

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Deanway