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Ian Rochead's Landscape Design Service
The City Workers Retreat
Designer: Ian Rochead
Contractor: Chris Stone of Bushy Business
This is a modern contemporary garden for city workers to enjoy, relax and entertain in at the end of a hardworking day. Ian Rochead, the garden designer, is just 20 years old and says that he was inspired to create this garden for city dwellers who say they haven’t got time to spend in the garden or that their garden is too small to do anything in.
The City Workers Retreat aims to be a low maintenance garden and is planted for ease of maintenance whilst still achieving all year round interest.
The garden is based around a raised seating area, which is enclosed by a Taxus baccata hedge. Modern materials in the garden include a glass wall and five big stainless steel raised planters. A paved walkway leads to the entertaining area, which has been built from smooth slate slabs. In the entertaining area there are two rendered walls, which are neutral in colour, to maximise the colour of the structural plants.
A seating area and a small table provide a place to dine, while internet connections and outdoor power provide vital connections for laptops. Under-deck lighting provides the perfect setting for late evening entertaining and the gentle sound of the cascading water and the rustling of the Phyllostachys nigra create a relaxing environment.
As low maintenance is a key factor the planting primarily consists of ornamental grasses, including Carex elata 'Aurea' AGM, Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus' AGM, Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' and Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra'. There are also a few selected shrubs and perennials, including Crocosmia 'Lucifer' AGM, Erigeron karvinskianus AGM, Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' AGM, Geranium phaeum var. phaeum 'Samobor', Heuchera 'Pewter Moon', Hosta (Tardiana Group) 'Blue Wedgwood', Hosta 'Ground Master'. A Phormium 'Maori Sunrise' creates a focal point at the entrance of the garden and a Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata' AGM tree is planted in a raised steel container and surrounded by a sea of violet Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' AGM. Bright red flowers seep through with the Crocosmia 'Lucifer', which create a dramatic backdrop to the garden.