Some of the most memorable spaces we design are the ones that seem least promising: a light well between buildings, an atrium, a north-facing yard in south London. With the right plants, these become lush gardens: green, layered and calm, with the feel of a woodland clearing in the middle of the city.
Internal garden design
An internal garden, whether a courtyard surrounded on all sides by a building, an atrium or a glazed light well, has its own microclimate. It is sheltered from wind, often warmer than the street and shaded for much of the day. That suits a whole range of woodland and subtropical-looking plants that would struggle in an exposed garden.
- Plant in layers: a canopy (small tree or tree fern), a shrub layer of big leaves, and a ground layer of ferns and shade perennials.
- Use the walls for climbers and the floor for mosses, gravel or timber so planting reads as the main event.
- Plan irrigation and drainage from the start, because internal spaces rarely get enough rain.
What makes a garden feel lush
Lushness comes from density and leaf size. Big leaves (tetrapanax, fatsia, rodgersia, hostas) layered against fine ones (ferns, grasses, bamboo) give a jungle-like richness without needing much flower colour. Planting closely, so no soil is visible, does the rest.
Garden design for south London
South London has a huge variety of gardens, from the Georgian terraces of Camberwell and Kennington to Victorian streets in Peckham, Brixton and Dulwich and new-build courtyards along the river. Many face north or are overshadowed by trees and neighbouring buildings. Lush, shade-loving planting is often the most beautiful answer, and it is one we return to again and again as garden designers working in south London.
Public and shared spaces
The same approach suits gallery gardens, office courtyards and shared residential gardens. These spaces need planting that looks good every day of the year, copes with people and can be maintained easily by a contractor. We design to those requirements and provide clear maintenance notes.
