Jess Norwood, My Garden (BS7)

Styles: Courtyards and small terraces, English cottage

Soil types: Clay

Soil drainage: Moisture-retentive

Soil pH: Alkaline

Light: Full Shade, Full Sun, Partial Shade

Aspect: East, West

Exposure: Exposed, Sheltered

Hardiness: Hardy (H4)

My boyfriend and I bought our first house - a 1920s terrace - in August '09 and the front and back gardens were basically empty. The front garden was gravel with an enormous privet hedge, back garden was (and is) entirely paved and decked. Mostly I've been working on the front garden so far. We ripped out the hedge and I made two borders which I've planted with shrubs and cottage garden perennials. I also planted a dwarf apple tree. The paved back garden is east-facing, and here I'm planning a more exotic feel with lots of greenery and different shapes and textures - bamboos, fatisas, hostas, ferns, phormiums etc. I'm not too bothered about flowers in the back garden as I now have loads in the front! This will be a lush, sheltered space for eating and entertaining. This is my first attempt at growing anything other than the odd B&Q bedding plant in a pot, so I've got lots to learn.