This terrace of six residences was erected in c.1887. The ground floor windows are of particular note having Gothic arched heads of red and cream brick and decorative tiling. Two major renovations have been carried out over the years to the back of the house. The most recent being in 1995 when the whole of the back of the house was opened up to allow for the installation of a courtyard garden and an extension was built out to the boundary. A former pathway has now become the dining area.

Front Garden
We did not buy this property for its garden. We inherited a low-maintenance one of wood chips laid over black plastic. 32 huge garden bags later, that "mess" disappeared. Planting began.

The trees (two Manchurian Pears) were planted, alongside the existing cut-leaf birch, oleander and hibiscus so that in summer a shaded canopy effect is achieved giving the garden privacy.

This garden receives about six hours of dappled sunlight each day, causing us to use plants more adaptable to shade.

There are lots of plants with different leaf structures, shapes and colours as well as many ferns, orchids and ornamental grasses. We find this adds extra interest to both the gardens.

Back Garden
This area was nothing but a plain grey concrete slab, with a clothes line. Once the renovation was complete, we first erected the lattice to cut out the view of the garage.

Our aim was to have a small garden that would surround you as you sat at the table. Before the brick beds were laid we placed the three trees (Robinias) and built around them. We chose the robinias for their delicate foliage, which flutters in any breeze, as well as the fine sculpture of their branches when they lose their leaves in autumn.

An Italianate look is what we set out to achieve and we continued the inside ceramic tiling outside so that when all doors are open it extends the back lounge. The denim blue fences and the tiles enhance the greenery. This area is great for outside living and dining.

The three American imported statues represent Summer, Autumn and Winter ... Spring had already been sold when we bought them.

A hoya has been twisted up the balcony support on one side and a rose (Pierre de Ronsard) climbs the other.

The joys of these two gardens has been enhanced by the knowledge gained in the planting of them.

Before each plant is put in the ground it has been researched, either by book or via the internet. It becomes a fascinating learning curve when you realise that all of the plants we use in our gardens are usually just a native wildflower from another country. Some have been hybridised, others cloned and many more cross-pollinated to produce new species which would, if planted back at their source, not survive.