Contemporary family garden Islington

A children's dining area features Euphorbia milleffera, Agapanthus africanus, Zantedeschia aethiopica Crowborough, Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' and clipped box. Note the sheer scale of the Agapanthus blooms!

Over ninety cubic meters of soil were excavated to help make this contemporary family garden. This created space for a secluded dining terrace and glass conservatory while conecting the garden with the lower level open plan living space.

Wide pale stone steps make a generous link to the upper levels. The new walkway from the first floor has a toughened glass balustrade and ample storage space beneath. A self-bonded surface allows for year round use and is perfect for tricycles and play.

Pleached evergreen Magnolia grandiflora and clipped Trachelospermum jasminoides screen the back of the garden, the perfumed flowers of the jasmine arrive after the scented magnolia blooms have faded, while Agapanthus africanus keeps the show running in late summer. The plants were selected for the contrasting scale and texture of their foliage as well as scent and colour of their flowers.

Subtle lighting brings the garden to life in the evenings.

Fig and Loquat trees provide fruit while clipped Bay and trailing Rosemary are grown for the kitchen. Magnolia grandiflora and clipped Trachelospermum jasminoides with Agapanthus africanus all give good year-round structure to this city garden and make the most of limited planting space and full sun at the end of the garden.

Calm and contrasting green textures in a shady area - acer, ferns, fatsia, box and hellebores.

Plants list

Click on any of the plant names below to learn more about the plant and to add to your own 'Plants I want' lists.

Eriobotrya japonica
Magnolia grandiflora
Trachelospermum jasminoides
Osmanthus x burkwoodii
Euphorbia milleffera
Holboelia latifolia
Agapanthus africanus
Zantedeschia aethiopica Crowborough
Anemone x hybrida 'Honerine Joseph'
Polystichum setiferum
Libertia grandiflora
Hemerocalis 'White Temptation'
Iris siberica 'White Swirl'
Astelia chatamica 'Silver Spear'
Euphorbia robbiae
Nandina domestica
Dryopteris erythrosa
Rosa banksia alba
Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey'
Laurus noblis
Rosmarinus repens
Clipped buxus hedges and spheres