Leytonstone Garden
The garden we started with was an unloved mess, full of broken concrete, rubble and an astroturf 'lawn' that had cut all moisture, light and life out of the soil for many years - but at least it was a blank canvas. The project would require significant hard and soft landscaping and a full planting plan to achieve the established cottage garden feel. It is south facing so has plenty of sun.
The first step was to remove all the waste material, before aerating the existing soil. We then added several tonnes of well rotted manure and topsoil as a nutrient rich base for planting. The nature pond was dug and we then started to build the raised beds with huge reclaimed oak railway sleepers. The 1980s brick walls on the east side and at the rear were solid but lacked charm, so we opted to paint them along with the fence on the remaining side in 'County Cream' which tied them together. The central rye grass lawn was laid along with reclaimed brick stepping stones.
Willow trellises were erected across all walls and fences so the climbing honeysuckle, jasmine, hops, passion flower and grape vine had plenty to grow on and establish themselves. They also proved useful for runner beans, roses and several clematis. Behind the trellises went the reed screens for added privacy with a softer look.
The higher raised bed has been home to a changing array of fruit and vegetable crops. The raspberry bushes provide height close to the fence and their fruiting season lasts for months. The central wooden frame has helped sweet peas, cucumbers and squash plants gain height and be more productive whist the wooden cold frame has given an abundant harvest of multiple types of lettuce crops. Potatoes, climbing beans and rhubarb have also been plentiful and there are dozens of herbs grown in a huge antique pot just next to the bed.
The cherry, apple, fig and nectarine trees as well as the dessert grapevine grow by the wall on the west side to get as much sun and heat as possible. There are flowers throughout the beds and the wood pile / bug hotel, made after some judicious lime tree pruning, has meant the garden is always buzzing with bees, birds, butterflies and even bats.
Beautiful wooden planters have been both made and bought to enhance the fences and walls. They spill over with strawberries and tomatoes, begonias and campanulas, geraniums and trailing ivy. The olive tree on the patio flowers and fruits abundantly, as does the Gertrude Jekyll rose. Careful attention has been paid to successional planting so the ground is full of early spring bulbs and there's never a moment without colour.
Leytonstone Exteriors
The front door to the house had been made beautifully when there house was built in 1880 but was dilapidated in the extreme. The glass was damaged and the locks, letterbox and pull handle needed to be replaced. We needed to remake the main window lights based on the original Victorian design - but done in a triple glazed secure 'future unit' made by Tenby and Penny, a family firm based in Walthamstow. The stained glass artist reimagined and remade the broken scene before the units were installed by their glazier. Antique brass door furniture was sourced and new Yale and Mortice locks were fitted.
Amazingly, the original wooden sash windows - and glass - were still extant to the front of the property, designed with an elegant curve to the top on both of the double bays. They were in dire need of attention but our team were able to take them back to the wood and sensitively restore them all, inside and out, before painting in a subtle shade.
The stone work was also addressed and the window sills were repaired, as was the plinth to the base of the building. The front garden was re-concreted and painted for a clean finish and a huge planter was made bespoke for the top of the wall to house a beautiful selection of plants and flowers.
To the rear there was an outside toilet which needed to be removed before we could start stripping the paint. Once this was done the masons from PGS Stone used the DOFF steam cleaning method to remove the paint without harming the London stock brickwork. A full height scaffold went up so we could remove the paint and all the old pointing which had been done, incorrectly, in concrete. They then completely repointed all the bricks in the correct lime mortar with a stunning final result.
Reclaimed bricks were sourced to match those from the outhouse and we were able to lay a full brick patio adjoining the house. The side alley was re-concreted and painted to match the restored plinths and steps. A roofing team completely rebuilt the roof of the side bay which had fallen into ruin. It now has new gutters and Welsh slate tiling.
Coming Soon . . .
PROJECT
Transforming the garden space into a beautiful, useable green oasis with plenty of space for barbecues, pizzas and entertaining. In addition there will be sensitive, successional planting to maximise growing potential and give you a low maintenance sanctuary to enjoy year round.
KEY WORKS
A beautiful tiled stone terrace will be laid across the centre of the garden, with space for planting and greenery, both directly in the ground and in large decorative pots and bespoke planters.
All fences to be cleared, cleaned and painted in Little Greene exterior eggshell to visually tie them together.
Raised bed to be enlarged alongside the tiled area with planting to soften hard edges and provide green interest throughout the year. In shadier areas ferns, phlox, campanula and soapwort will feature - and where there is more sun we can grow camellias, nasturtiums and hydrangeas. Climbing plants like jasmine, clematis and hop vines will be trained along the fences.
A low key storage solution will be built for the bicycles and other garden items so they can be tucked away neatly. This could feature a green roof of sedums and alpines to add a natural element.