Toads, water snails and a shrew. None of these creatures – all of which have now made their home in this garden just a short walk from the centre of Utrecht – would previously have given it a second glance. “It was just awful,” says the owner. “Just a lot of paving, some sad grass and no plants. The kids liked it because they could play ball, but once they were old enough to play out on the street, we decided to make something beautiful instead.”
Having been impressed by images of Carolien Barkman’s work in a book on small garden design, they set up a meeting and gave her the brief: a lush, wildlife-friendly garden with lots of colour, room to grow vegetables and, crucially, space for three barbecues. “They also wanted space to sit under a tree, somewhere to eat and a pond,” remembers Carolien. “It’s not a big plot, so the challenge was how to fit this all in, while still creating a beautiful garden where the family could relax.”
Carolien has done this by zoning the garden into three different areas – the productive garden to the front; the barbecue terrace to the side and the ornamental garden, which incorporates three distinct seating areas, to the rear. Tying them all together is a limited palette consisting almost entirely of bricks in various forms, to match the architecture of the house.
Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
WHY SHOULD I VOLUNTEER?
Giving your free time to volunteer in the community or as a mentor can have a big impact, and also benefit you in ways you can't imagine, says John Wyer
EARTHLY CONCERN
Weeds, slugs, birds and mice - all are welcome on Birch Farm in Devon, where Joshua Sparkes seeks to respect the local ecosystem and mimic nature in his innovative approach to growing
Gardening is good for you
In the first of his new factual column on the benefits of gardening, Dr Richard Claxton uncovers all the evidence-based ways it can help your physical health.
TANGERINE DREAM
On the edge of one of London's busiest roundabouts, Nigel Dunnett has created exciting combinations of drought-tolerant plants for a roof garden that is as unexpected as it is joyful
GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT
Growing your own edible plants is a great way to boost your gut microbiome. Discover expert picks of edimentals that are both beautiful and beneficial
Waste not, nice plot
Designer Miria Harris gave herself the challenge of a no-skip, zero-waste project, giving away, recycling or reusing everything in this back garden before transforming it into a space her client could love
One for all
A new community garden designed by Sarah Price around an old library turned arts centre in southeast London is a treasured space for local residents and garden lovers alike
Meet our horticultural HEROES
Discover the stories of the extraordinary garden champions who are making a difference to places, people, plants and the planet
SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE
In the culinary world, chefs and food writers sometimes closely guard their recipes, says Nigel Slater. Among gardeners, however, there is a refreshing spirit of generosity
Autumn at Sissinghurst
As the garden slips into a new season, head gardener Troy Scott Smith and his team are busy with tasks from hedge cutting and lawn work to bulb planting and sowing seeds.