Wandsworth Courtyard Garden Design

A small and uninspiring back garden has been transformed by replacing the lawn with a lot more planting and creating a cosy seating area with a good view back to the house.

The height of the pergola leads the eye upwards, making the garden feel larger than its modest footprint. The uneven paving was removed and the slope levelled, and a new stepping stone path creates a meandering journey to the end of the garden, disappearing into abundant planting along the way. A new Prunus Accolade and multi-stem Amelanchier lamarckii add spring and autumn colour and height.

Verbena bonariensis, Gaura lindheimeri Whirling Butterflies, Lavandula angustifolia Hidcote and Campanula lactiflora Pritchard’s Variety spill over the path's edges, while climbing Rosa The Generous Gardener and Clematis Jackmanii soften the boundaries and pergola trellis. The stepping stones are interplanted with Erigeron karvinskianus and Thymus serpyllum Pink Chintz. The result is a garden that feels immersive and much larger than it is, with a shaded dining spot to enjoy at the end of the journey.

Garden concept plan showing pergola, planting and dining area layout, Wandsworth

The concept plan for the Wandsworth garden, showing the layout of new paving, planted gravel, stepping stones and the pergola-covered dining area, along with retained f

Timber pergola and seating area glimpsed through cottage garden planting, Wandsworth garden by Jane Shankster Garden Design

A timber pergola frames a cosy seating area at the end of the garden, glimpsed through a rich tapestry of verbena, gaura and

Stepping stone path with erigeron daisies and gravel planting, Wandsworth garden by Jane Shankster Garden Design

Pale stone stepping pads are softened by self-seeding erigeron daisies and gravel planting spilling across the joints, creating a relaxe

Corten steel waterbowl with sedum and geranium planting, Wandsworth garden by Jane Shankster Garden Design

A weathered corten waterbowl next to a bed filled with sedum and hardy geraniums, its warm rust tones contrasting with the soft greens and pur

Timber pergola with dining table framed by verbena and gaura, Wandsworth garden by Jane Shankster Garden Design

A full view of the timber pergola sheltering a round dining table and chairs, reached via a stepping stone path bordered by verbena bonar

Verbena and gaura planting against painted shed, Wandsworth garden by Jane Shankster Garden Design

Tall verbena bonariensis and white gaura rise up against the newly painted shed, softening its plain façade and bringing height and movement to this c

Purple parrot tulips with pergola dining area beyond, Wandsworth garden by Jane Shankster Garden Design

Frilled purple and pink parrot tulips take centre stage in spring, with a corten steel water bowl and the timber pergola's dining set visible bey

Pergola seating area framed by campanula and lavender, Wandsworth garden by Jane Shankster Garden Design

Clouds of pale blue campanula and drifts of lavender frame the pergola's seating area, with climbing roses trained up the trellis behind. This l

Purple creeping thyme flowering between paving stones, Wandsworth garden by Jane Shankster Garden Design

A cushion of purple-flowering creeping thyme spills across the stepping stone path, with erigeron daisies and salvia blurred softly behind. This

Close view of pergola dining table through lavender and penstemon, Wandsworth garden by Jane Shankster Garden Design

A closer view of the pergola's dining area, reached along stepping stones flanked by lavender, penstemon and phlox. Climbing roses s

Purple clematis flowers climbing timber fence, Wandsworth garden by Jane Shankster Garden Design

Rich purple clematis blooms scramble across a timber fence, adding vertical colour and softening the garden's boundaries. This climbing planting makes t

Wide view of pergola, path and cottage garden planting, Wandsworth garden by Jane Shankster Garden Design

A wide view of the garden shows how the stepping stone path winds through abundant planting towards the pergola-covered dining area, with the r

Wandsworth Courtyard Garden Design

Twickenham front garden and drive

Replanting an Established Surrey Garden