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Episode 2: The Jone's Garden

Lynette approached Abacus Garden early in 2009, with a unique dilemma to solve with respect to her verge garden. She had recently bought a cluster in Eagle Canyon, Johannesburg north and the verge garden was disappointingly narrow, leaving her feeling rather exposed to her neighbours and passing traffic. She desperately needed a garden design that would afford her privacy and yet also enhance her rather contemporary architecture.

The Abacus Gardens design studio, chose a rather intelligent contemporary garden design style, with great emphasis on strong geometric lines. Symmetry was thrown out the window as distinctly asymmetrical diagonal lines were high lighted both in the plant choices and the cobble edging. This approach created a feeling of much greater visual space and Lynette's space dilemma was instantly solved. Pots at the end of each vista draw one's eye further away creating an optical illusion of depth and distance.

Fever trees are the primary plant of choice as no less than 17 were plant in close proximity to each other in order to create a lime green forest. These are ideal trees for the narrow space, because they will grow taller and narrower and this has already given Lynette a sense of privacy. Fever trees are great trees because they are indigenous and within 48 hours of them being planted a birds nest had already been built directly outside that large staircase window.

Enormous raised decking steps were laid in a diagonal line, leading under the architectural beam to the front door. The dark mahogany coloured deck steps added a sense of warmth and welcoming at the front door. Two enormous Clarens sandstone boulders were selected as water features. Lynette was delighted at the unique choice of water feature as she wanted a focal point that was authentic and not fake.

Iceberg roses were selected, sustaining the contemporary feel of both the architecture and the modern garden design, whilst masses of flowering gauras were planted that gently sway in the wind adding visual excitement. The sterile feel of champagne gravel lines were tempered by tall narrow rusted pots with perfect aloe specimens.

It was incredible how the garden had become a fluid extension of the house, adding vitality to urban living.

Click here if you would like to FAST TRACK an enquiry to have a Verge garden designed and installed especially for your home.

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