Fencing
Fences do very much more than define the boundaries of a design. In our gardens a fence can transform an urban garden into a private haven, provide a dramatic backdrop to the planting, and provide support for a medley of beautiful, scented climbing plants.
In the shade of the Catalpa tree: Alexander square II
We enclosed this garden on two sides with a slatted iroko fence. This stretch of fencing might have become monotonous, had we not used uprights in a selection of different widths and depths, and even a few made from bronze.
Maximum rewards: Redcliffe road, London
A fence can become a dominant feature, and so we were intent on introducing variety to the boundaries of this small garden. We did this by building one fence from horizontal slats in two different widths. The other – made from vertical slats – doubles as a means of concealing a storage area outside the back door of the house.
Spring bulbs: The Lodge, London
Cleft timber has been used for centuries to make fences in Britain. We chose a miniature version of the traditional, cleft-timber fence to enclose new beds packed with spring bulbs in this informal garden.
A chic outdoor space: Holland Park, London
This formal garden was commissioned as a chic outdoor space for entertaining friends and colleagues. We guarded the privacy of these occasions by building up the garden boundary with an espaliered hornbeam hedge and an iroko fence mounted on top of the existing wall.
Satisfying the Senses, Cresswell Place
By leaving a gap between the horizontals of the fence around this urban garden, we created the perfect climbing frame for the jasmine that fills the air with scent in summer.
Blurred boundaries: The Gatehouse, Gerrard Cross
Sometimes the simplest things can be profoundly effective and astonishingly beautiful. In one such instance, ordinary branches have been used to craft a low fence, delicately demarcating the edge of a mown path within the garden. The approach to use everyday garden materials in a way that is considered and designed adds a layer of detail and interest to the landscape.
The use of natural and somewhat rustic materials resonates with its context, an area of the garden deliberately cultivated to maintain a wild, untouched feel. This choice establishes an appropriate sense of place within the garden, where the raw beauty of nature is honoured and enhanced by the very materials it provides.