This garden backs onto an end of terrace Victorian house. The central structural challenge was the shape, an offset rhombus, with a slope down from left to right. A series of right-angled raised beds were designed to retain the neighbouring levels and to link the garden with the lines of the buildings. These provide bold, planting blocks and discrete views from the living room and kitchen.

 The plants were selected to provide scent, movement, colour and nectar throughout the year. The raised beds face west and are planted with a range of drought tolerant species. A broad bed of herbaceous perennials and flowing grasses separates the terrace from the lawn creating a translucent screen in summer and autumn. A wildlife pond, a green roofed shed, log piles, bird boxes and insect habitats encourage wildlife. At the back a stand of river birches and woodland plants surround a fire pit with circular bench seating, a place to sit and contemplate.