the city worker's retreat garden

awarded a silver medal

designed by Ian Rochead
constructed by Bushy Business ltd

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Awarded a RHS Silver Medal for an exhibit of a city garden in the

small garden catergory 2006

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 The city workers retreat garden, is a small garden that has been

inspired and intended to be used by city workers who lead hectic

lifestyles and then need to unwind and relax when they arrive home.

The space has been designed with ease of maintenance in mind whilst still creating a environment that can be enjoyed, calming and be both practical and functional but most importantly be a place that eliminates the feeling of being situated in the middle of the hustle and bustle of a city.

The theme of the garden is of a contemporary one, influenced by what surrounds us today. With modern materials, chosen to provide clean lines and make the space look both minimal and uncluttered and add continuity from the interior outside into the exterior, thus trying to create a so called room to help demonstrate the idea of the garden being an extension and development of their house.

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The plants chosen for the design are of a low maintenance category and chosen because of their structural characteristics whilst carrying on the contemporary feel to the garden. Loose informal grasses that dance and rustle in the breeze have been used to inject the garden with sound and movement whilst tufty types have been selected to provide structure and form. The phyllostachys nigra helps provide vertical accents with is black canes whilst adding colour and height to the rear of the plot. Shrubs, bulbs and perennials have been chosen to add colour in the gaps between the structural and focal plants and provide seasonal interest. A carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata' tree had been chosen to provide height to the garden and chosen for it’s natural toleration of pollution and to increase the feeling of space .A taxus bacctta hedge is used because of it natural dark evergreen colour which helps bring out the colour of the plants situated in front of it.

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The beautiful taxus baccata hedge also provides the perfect back drop to a raised, smooth hardwood decked area furnished with a solid oak table and seat, providing valuable space to entertain and dine on, with the added attraction of contemporary stainless steel planters providing height to the garden and a stylish glass wall creating a back drop for the vibrant planting. All brought together with the sound of the water feature creating the perfect garden for relaxing in and loosing yourself from the outside world, whilst still being both practical and functional.

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For a more in depth gallery of photos of the city worker's retreat garden click HERE.

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