5 : Morningside Terrace, Edinburgh

Brief

• A front garden in the Morningside area of Edinburgh - low maintenance and privacy was important.
• A long privet hedge surrounding the whole garden was to be removed and replaced with a fence.
• A design was requested which would enhance the look of the front of the house.

Solution

• We replaced the privet hedge with woven larch fence panels set on a low sandstone wall. Custom-made panels of varied height were used to make the long fence less formal and more interesting.
• The path from the street to the front door originally ran along the edge of the garden — we moved the path entrance to the middle, providing a more dramatic entrance and opening up the garden space.
• The terrace was constructed from broken sandstone paving, with granite cubes framing it into sections.
• Gravel and beach stones provide a mulch to reduce the amount of garden maintenance.
• We created a small sitting area underneath the window for enjoying the afternoon sun, and stepping-stones act as a guide to the tree-swing.
• High planting next to the terrace partitions the bottom of the garden, providing a private place to sit and enjoy the view of a church steeple.
• The overall effect is of a flowing traditional courtyard garden — definitely a place to be proud of.