A small city garden was metamorphosed into a captivating mini forest clearing, featuring nine trees and tasteful design elements.

A small city garden was metamorphosed into a captivating mini forest clearing, featuring nine trees and tasteful design elements.

In the heart of South London, a garden transformation has taken place, creating a tranquil haven amidst urban density. Designed by Stefano Marinaz and completed in February 2023, the garden features a meandering slate chip path connecting two intimate seating areas, maximising the use of space [1].

The design incorporates natural materials like slate chips, enhancing the garden's texture and visual interest. The compact 10x10 meter layout, tailored to city environments, offers a verdant refuge from the urban surroundings [3].

While specific plant species for the garden aren't detailed in the available sources, it's reasonable to assume that Marinaz chose shade-tolerant plants suited to the garden's urban, shady location. These might include ferns, hostas, or shade-loving perennials and shrubs commonly used in city gardens to add greenery and texture.

One such plant is the Epimedium x warleyense 'Orangekönigin', with heart-shaped foliage and dainty, orange flowers in spring. It grows to be 30cm x 80cm and has an RHS rating of H6 and USDA hardiness of 4a-8b [2].

Another interesting addition is the purple-leaved honesty, Lunaria annua 'Chedglow', which self-seeds freely from its coin-like seedheads. Stefano buys his seed from Special Plants to ensure it comes true [1].

The garden also boasts a Ginkgo biloba tree, renowned for its fan-shaped leaves that turn golden yellow in autumn. It's recommended to buy a male or sterile tree to avoid the smelly fruits dropped by female trees in autumn. The tree grows to be 25m x 6m and has an RHS rating of H6 and USDA hardiness of 3a-8b [2].

The easy-to-grow Dryopteris erythrosora adds a splash of shimmering pink with its new fronds, which age to green. It grows to be 75cm x 75cm with an AGM [1].

Lastly, the Helleborus argutifolius, or holly-leaved hellebore, with pale-green flowers above large, spiny, evergreen leaves, adds a unique touch to the garden. It grows to be 1m x 75cm and has an RHS rating of H5 and USDA hardiness of 6a-8b [2].

For more detailed information on the specific plants used, consulting Marinaz’s direct sources or garden design portfolios might provide insights beyond this publicly available data.

1. The garden design in South London, created by Stefano Marinaz, features a variety of plants carefully selected for urban, shady environments, such as Epimedium x warleyense 'Orangekönigin', Lunaria annua 'Chedglow', and Dryopteris erythrosora.
2. In this transformed garden, a stunning Ginkgo biloba tree, known for its golden yellow leaves in autumn, has been planted to provide a landscape anchor and contribute to the autumn foliage display.
3. The easy-to-maintain Helleborus argutifolius, with its unique pale-green flowers and large, spiny leaves, adds an intriguing element to the garden's flora, complementing the overall garden design.
4. Stefano Marinaz's garden design also includes an intersection of lifestyle and interior design, as evidenced by the thoughtful use of natural materials like slate chips throughout the garden, creating a harmonious connection between outdoor and indoor spaces.
5. To ensure the garden remains verdant and flourishing, the design incorporates plants suited to shady environments, such as ferns, hostas, and shade-loving perennials and shrubs, providing a vibrant, textured aesthetic in the heart of the city.

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