A Small, Secluded City Garden with Tropical Planting and Stunning Water Feature

Nick
Oct 15
3 min read

"We started with a small barren patch of ground and a large plain patio. We ended up with a tropical paradise and a cosy outdoor room. The initial design based on a couple of briefing meetings was almost entirely on point, but there was something we could not put our finger on or at least put into words. With very little tangible feedback to go on, a revised design pulled together overnight somehow perfectly captured the thoughts we were unable to articulate.

We loved everything about it and the finished garden is even better. We could not believe the sheer number of plants that went into our small garden, but everything was fully thought through and came together beautifully. We enjoyed our first summer in the garden and are extremely happy we found The Distinctive Gardener. Working with Nick and Doug – and their hard landscaping and electrician friends – was a pleasure from beginning to end. In addition to being great designers and plant lovers, Nick and Doug are warm, funny, and smart human beings." - Lukas & Nisha W5

Small tropical-style garden in Ealing W13 with limestone stepping stones, vibrant layered planting and a Corten steel water feature.

What fun we had designing and planting this small city garden. Our clients wanted their very own green oasis in which to escape the everyday stresses of life, surrounded by a rich tapestry of foliage and the gentle sound of running water.

Modern living room with large glass doors opening to a lush garden. Blue sofa, beige armchair, and green plant create a serene atmosphere.

Our main inspiration, as shown in the image above, came from the wonderful double-aspect house extension, which allowed us to create a garden that could literally ‘surround’ the room, as well as providing a stunning backdrop.

Patio with cushioned chairs, table, grill, and potted plant on a tiled rug. Lush garden and brick wall in the background create a cozy vibe.

The side return was an underused space that is now a relaxing spot to sit and enjoy the garden, as well as make full use of the BBQ.

Another important aspect of this project was the recycling of some of the existing landscaping materials. For example, the existing paving in the side return was reimagined by introducing decorative tile ‘rugs’ in the three areas. We also used the existing wooden decking path to create a raised seating area at the rear of the garden.

Lush garden with stone pathway, green plants, and a round water fountain. Cozy patio with white chairs in the background. Calm atmosphere.

Perhaps the image above demonstrates our belief in the importance of plants and planting within a design. Rather than having a conventional paved area in the main garden we used black carbon limestone stepping stones. As you can see, each individually laid stone is surrounded by the vibrant green of Soleirolia soleirolii, or ‘Mind Your Own Business’. This wonderful creeping plant softens the stone and adds another texture to the space.

Circular water feature with a fountain, surrounded by lush greenery, ferns, and stone pavers in a vibrant, well-maintained garden.

Nothing helps create a feeling of tranquillity and peace than the gentle sound of running water. This Corten steel bowl is completely self-contained, as the water is fed by a pump set within the bowl itself. The rusty texture is the perfect foil for the surrounding plants, as well as being a gorgeous focal point within the garden.

The images above show the lush planting style, the wonderful sight of running water, and how the introduction of decorative tiling adds interest to the seating area.

Patio with stylish beige cushioned chairs and a black table. Garden with lush greenery, stepping stones, and a small fountain in the background. Peaceful mood.

There are a number of design ‘tricks’ that we were able to use in this garden, as shown in the image above. Firstly, we painted the rear and side boundaries, as well as the large outdoor workshop unit, black. We did this for two reasons, the first being that it helps to make the unit and the boundaries almost disappear, and secondly, black as a colour is a fabulous choice as backdrop for foliage and textures.

The second design ‘trick’ is to play with the perception of depth within the space. To this end, we built a secluded seating area in the top right corner and placed a brightly coloured chair at its centre. The chair acts as another focal point and helps to draw the eye to the furthest corner of the garden.