Garden Tour: A Sociable and Stylish Family Retreat
Bold structures, tactile planting and plenty of casual seating breathe new life into a tired and unloved plot
Describing it as the “final piece of the puzzle”, Paul and Tracey Richards couldn’t wait to transform the neglected garden of their 1930s home in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Having refurbished the interior of the four-bedroom house, they were keen to make the most of the sizeable plot and create a stylish yet low-maintenance space where the whole family could relax and socialise.
Consisting of a central, rather tired lawn flanked by narrow borders, the main feature was a less-than-lovely and rather underused climbing frame. A few mature trees in neighbouring gardens added greenery and height to the outlook, but the only plants of note in the garden were a few sparse shrubs. Unsure of where to start with the project, they called in landscape design company Pehrsson Scott.
Consisting of a central, rather tired lawn flanked by narrow borders, the main feature was a less-than-lovely and rather underused climbing frame. A few mature trees in neighbouring gardens added greenery and height to the outlook, but the only plants of note in the garden were a few sparse shrubs. Unsure of where to start with the project, they called in landscape design company Pehrsson Scott.
The north-facing garden was overlooked by neighbouring properties, so the family were keen to include a private space where they could spend time together, entertain their friends and generally kick back and unwind.
“Paul and Tracey’s initial thoughts were to construct a large garden studio at the very end of the plot,” Henry says, “but it quickly became clear this would be a costly option. Instead, we went for a slightly raised deck area, which we covered with a timber pergola to provide privacy.”
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“Paul and Tracey’s initial thoughts were to construct a large garden studio at the very end of the plot,” Henry says, “but it quickly became clear this would be a costly option. Instead, we went for a slightly raised deck area, which we covered with a timber pergola to provide privacy.”
Find a garden designer in your area in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Starting in April 2020, the three-month build coincided with the country’s first Covid-19 lockdown. “Getting hold of landscaping materials was rather tricky,” Henry explains. “Even securing basic items such as timber and fixings took much longer than usual and impacted on the budget, too.”
Nursery plant prices shot up as well, so every item on the detailed planting list had to be carefully reviewed. Smart choices, such as opting for younger trees and smaller plants rather than the larger, more mature specimens that were originally planned, helped to keep costs down without compromising the overall design.
Nursery plant prices shot up as well, so every item on the detailed planting list had to be carefully reviewed. Smart choices, such as opting for younger trees and smaller plants rather than the larger, more mature specimens that were originally planned, helped to keep costs down without compromising the overall design.
Keen to make sustainable choices, Henry and the couple opted to use composite deckboards to create the large seating area at the end of the garden. Strong, durable and easy-to-clean, these boards are made from a combination of plastic, resin and waste wood fibres that are left over from the timber industry.
The resulting deck is spacious, bathed in sun for much of the day, and roomy enough for an alfresco lounge area with modular L-shaped sofa and Acapulco-style chairs. A couple of loungers sit to the left side, from where the family can enjoy views back down the garden towards the house.
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The resulting deck is spacious, bathed in sun for much of the day, and roomy enough for an alfresco lounge area with modular L-shaped sofa and Acapulco-style chairs. A couple of loungers sit to the left side, from where the family can enjoy views back down the garden towards the house.
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Introducing height and structure into the overall design was essential, not only to add interest and a foil to the soft planting, but also to visually link back to the house.
The team at Pehrsson Scott came up with a bespoke timber pergola with a chic and contemporary lattice detail. “We opted for western red cedar for its ability to cope well with the elements and also for its beautiful rust tones,” Henry says.
The team at Pehrsson Scott came up with a bespoke timber pergola with a chic and contemporary lattice detail. “We opted for western red cedar for its ability to cope well with the elements and also for its beautiful rust tones,” Henry says.
These rich hues are also cleverly reflected in the planting surrounding the deck. Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ (feather reed grass) was selected for its red-tinged golden panicles, while Acer griseum (paperbark maple) and Prunus serrulata (cherry) are both eye-catching features with their tactile peeling and glossy red bark respectively. Pompom-headed Allium sphaerocephalon (seen here) adds extra structure and texture.
Surrounding the edge of the decked seating area with planting creates a peaceful and secluded spot that feels removed from the rest of the house.
“We laid a data cable down the length of the garden to the deck to provide a reliable wi-fi connection – something Paul has particularly enjoyed while working from home,” Henry says.
Gas firepit, Solus Decor.
“We laid a data cable down the length of the garden to the deck to provide a reliable wi-fi connection – something Paul has particularly enjoyed while working from home,” Henry says.
Gas firepit, Solus Decor.
A long gravel path connects the garden to the terrace next to the house. This was originally going to be paved, but rising costs led the team to go for gravel instead.
Irish Barley Quartzite was chosen for its pale cream tones with flecks of brown, which tie in beautifully with the timber arches and pergola.
Irish Barley Quartzite was chosen for its pale cream tones with flecks of brown, which tie in beautifully with the timber arches and pergola.
Three timber arches line the pathway leading from the house to the deck. As well as adding height and structure, they visually stretch the space and firmly focus the attention on the cosy seating area.
“We used western red cedar for the arches to tie in with the pergola and create a cohesive feel,” Henry says. But the choice of material did impact the labour costs and slightly delay progress.
“As a strong but porous softwood, it was important not to place it directly on the ground, which would cause it to soak up moisture and rot,” Henry explains. “Instead, we had to have stainless-steel ‘shoes’ made for each upright and bed them in concrete. This proved rather time-consuming, but it was essential if the timbers were to last in the changeable UK climate.”
“We used western red cedar for the arches to tie in with the pergola and create a cohesive feel,” Henry says. But the choice of material did impact the labour costs and slightly delay progress.
“As a strong but porous softwood, it was important not to place it directly on the ground, which would cause it to soak up moisture and rot,” Henry explains. “Instead, we had to have stainless-steel ‘shoes’ made for each upright and bed them in concrete. This proved rather time-consuming, but it was essential if the timbers were to last in the changeable UK climate.”
Showy Agapanthus ‘Headbourne hybrids’ (seen here) makes a striking statement. A real sun-lover, it adds an exotic feel to this contemporary-style garden.
A trio of Acer griseums, with their attractive peeling red bark, have been interspersed with large, shallow bowl planters. “We originally had three of these planted up with agapanthus dotted in between the shrubs to introduce a sense of rhythm and contrast of form and materials,” Henry says. “But the owners have since relocated one nearer to the house, which works really well, and further links the two areas together.”
Planters, The Pot Company.
Planters, The Pot Company.
Crisp lines and tactile planting strike an elegant balance in this well-used family garden. Tiers of shrubs and young statement trees merge seamlessly with the mature trees in surrounding plots. Chosen to provide year-round interest, they include Cornus kousa, Amelanchier lamarckii and Magnolia stellata.
Tell us…
What’s your favourite feature in this garden? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Tell us…
What’s your favourite feature in this garden? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here Paul and Tracey Richards and their three children
Location St Albans, Hertfordshire
Property A four-bedroom detached house
Garden dimensions 30m long x 12m wide
Project duration Three months
Designer Henry Scott of Pehrsson Scott
“It was very clear that the garden no longer served the family’s needs,” company director Henry Scott says. “The only space to sit and relax in the decent-sized plot was right by the house, in the shade, while the sunny area at the end of the garden was totally underused.”
Creating a visual link and flow from the front of the garden to the back was also key, so the team sat down and drew up a plan.