Hornsey Lane, Highgate

The clients wanted their overgrown garden transformed into an attractive place to relax and entertain with abundant planting providing year round interest.

While large areas of the borders had to be cleared, some plants were well worth saving – several mature evergreen shrubs provided an immediate structure within the new planting scheme and an Acer griseum (Paper-bark maple) was retained as it has so much to offer throughout the year. Two other ‘hard-working’ trees Amelanchier ‘Ballerina’ and Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’ (winter-flowering cherry) were planted to provide privacy. These were accompanied by several striking shrubs and numerous perennials planted in borders edged with lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’) to create a busy, colourful, cottage garden effect.