I recently revisited my E5 Family Front Garden to see how the planting was settling in. Just 4 months on its really starting to establish, providing a pleasing view from both the street and the house.
![East London Victorian terrace front garden with brick wall and railings](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d104ac_8c4b4d91c4af4c4285a6277da1116652~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/d104ac_8c4b4d91c4af4c4285a6277da1116652~mv2.jpeg)
The original garden was dark and uninviting, with a large Silver Birch tree the only planting and none of the practical storage that my clients, a growing family of four needed.
![Front garden with concrete wall and large Silver birch tree](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d104ac_902eb979878146e690e239158b063679~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/d104ac_902eb979878146e690e239158b063679~mv2.jpg)
My design seeks to provide the practical storage required, a four bike storage unit and a bespoke double bin store, without compromising on the planting or overall aesthetic of the garden.
![Sketch up image of front garden design](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d104ac_28df1c0f13d0479888fa7ea351f5ecc8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_483,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/d104ac_28df1c0f13d0479888fa7ea351f5ecc8~mv2.jpg)
The Silver Birch tree was replaced with a more appropriately sized tree, an Amelanchier lamarckii, which provides three seasons of interest and is a great small garden tree.
New boundaries were created on all sides with planting visible from the street via a low brick wall with bespoke 'Art Nouveau' style railings and gate.
![Front garden brick wall with bespoke railings and gate](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d104ac_2c7be2bb1d974db3861f0a199228f743~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/d104ac_2c7be2bb1d974db3861f0a199228f743~mv2.jpeg)
Mint sandstone detailing was added to the path, edging, coping and pier caps and flint gravel was used to create a permeable ground cover surface.
![Grass and sandstone step](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d104ac_cc3a772a917b4cefa3982c304985d976~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/d104ac_cc3a772a917b4cefa3982c304985d976~mv2.jpeg)
A Wisteria has been trained around the door and bay window to provide a fragrant entrance to the house. The planting has an ethereal quality with tall, delicate herbaceous perennials in contrasting foliage colours to soften the hard landscaping.
A green roof on the bike store, and evergreen Jasmine on the railings maximize the planting within this compact space.
![Flowers and foliage](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d104ac_cfa9270e6dea4b5aa198149b85209792~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/d104ac_cfa9270e6dea4b5aa198149b85209792~mv2.jpeg)
![Sedum green roof](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d104ac_69dd2c9a12d44409bf4d6b1295ed88a8~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/d104ac_69dd2c9a12d44409bf4d6b1295ed88a8~mv2.jpeg)
I will be revisiting to plant Spring bulbs in the Autumn so watch this space for progress.
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