Walled gardens have a lovely feeling of privacy, but the clever elements used in this design also draw the eye away from the surrounding walls and encourage the viewer to explore the garden and its planting. Hard landscaping, strong sight lines, and a semi-formal pool combined with naturalistic planting are just some of the design features and backyard ideas to enjoy in this city garden. The cumulative effect helps to create a garden of ‘rooms’ to be enjoyed throughout the year. ‘For many years the garden had been kept as a play space for the children, with a large area of lawn, a sunken trampoline and a neglected hot tub,’ explains garden designer Peter Reader (opens in new tab) . With the children grown, the clients wanted to incorporate some small backyard ideas ‘and reclaim the space for adults as a garden to enjoy, relax and entertain in. They were looking for a garden with strong structure, but softened by naturalistic planting, that delivered great views from both the kitchen-diner and the living room,’ Peter adds. Peter shares his walled backyard ideas for making the most of this urban back yard.
1. Create various outdoor ‘rooms’ for more interest
The space is loosely divided into three separate ‘rooms’ that are joined and flow into each other through the use of hardscape, including low retaining garden wall ideas and cobble detailing. ‘There is a difference in the style and planting of the garden rooms,’ explains Peter, which helps to create different views. ‘As you progress up the garden from the house, the style becomes gradually less formal and more naturalistic in its look, culminating in an orchard of five best fruit trees within a small wildflower meadow,’ Peter adds. Planting a wildflower meadow is a wonderful wildlife garden idea and you can create an area for wildflowers even in a small urban plot.
2. Add a garden pond for a key focal point
A centrally placed semi-formal garden pond idea forms a key focus in this walled garden design. ‘The view to the pond from the living room patio runs between two flower beds creating a sight line to an armillary sundial on the other side of the pond that sits in a third flower bed with matching planting,’ explains Peter. Sundials are a classic element of English garden ideas and can add a touch of traditional charm to an otherwise modern space. A set of stepping stones set in line with the sundial completes the view and enhances the effect. ‘Together these also draw the viewer out into explore the garden,’ Peter adds.
3. Use strong lines for different garden vistas
The walled garden design has strong lines running through it on both its vertical and horizontal axes. ‘This includes a rill that runs out from the central pond,’ explains Peter, one of many water feature ideas. ‘The strong lines create multiple focal points and interesting views within a relatively small space. These both enhance the beauty of the garden as well as drawing the observer out into the space on a journey of discovery. The different vistas also help create continuity across the whole garden and the three garden rooms,’ says Peter.
4. Mix strong evergreen planting with perennials
The planting is a carefully balanced mix of strong evergreen yew topiary cubes and spheres, softened by mixed small shrubs and perennial planting. Knowing how to grow ornamental grasses was also important to this walled garden design to deliver a good all year structure to the garden. The evergreen and year round structure is ‘complemented by softer highlights and color throughout the year,’ explains Peter. A classic Lutyens bench has been placed at one end of the garden for a spot to sit and admire the views and planting.
5. Soften garden walls with trellis and climbing evergreens
This walled garden design included clever use of the brick wall that surrounds the garden. ‘The wall delivers an atmosphere of privacy and serenity, as well as providing a lovely foil for the planting of the garden itself. Left blank, however, the wall would be too visually hard,’ explains Peter. The impact of the wall is softened by trellis ideas in the use of large, regularly spaced square trellis panels. These are covered in one of the best evergreen climbers, Trachelospermum jasminoides, or star jasmine, as well as mixed clematis for additional summer highlights of color. The overall effect is a beautiful walled garden design that offers many different views and a relaxing environment to enjoy year round.
