The Hacienda Garden

The client wanted to capture some of the spirit of the Spanish Hacienda gardens. Visible from the kitchen windows and from above, the height of the walls were used to utilise every possible centimeter for planting and still allow space for informal dining outside. The strong colours are typical of the spanish style and the blue insets in the terracotta tiles pick up the theme.

The plants used here (from left to right) include: Lush day lillies (e.g. Daylily 'Pink Damask') and white love-lies-bleeding (Dicentra spectabilis alba) to the rear; Phormium tenax autropurureum (behind the rear pots); Hostas (e.g. Hosta undulata var. undulata); Fatsia japonica (in the more shady right hand side). The pillars have climbing clematis (e.g. Clematis 'Jackmanii') and the lime green golden hop (Humulus lupulus) yet to make their appearance.

This photo shows the extension of the lush planting and the addition of a specimen acer tree (Acer palmatum dissectum) which adds elegance, a layered effect effect in the small space and provides a focal point from the kitchen doors which are to the left of this image. Other planting includes (from the left):Glossy Pittosporum tobira, which has a wonderful scent; Variegated weigela (Weigela florida 'Variegata'); The lower green foliage to the right is Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis)

At night the lights twinkle inside the arches providing a romantic and exotic light.