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Lessons Learned: From “Neglected” Slope to Charming Garden, in South London

Garden designer Catriona Andrews transformed her own challenging sloping parallelogram garden in Herne Hill, London, previously neglected for 50 years. She shares lessons learned.

Biggest Challenge

Sloping garden — Steep slope from left to right and down from house. Built retaining walls square to the house, creating distinct views from kitchen, sitting room, and side passage.

Hardscaping to Define Space

Woodland seating circle — Gravel woodland seating circle with fire pit at rear. Converted slope into two levels with distinct spaces; fire pit area for teenagers.

Bespoke benches against paper bark maples (Acer griseum). Catriona’s film/TV art department background shows.

Drainage

Terraced raised beds — Terraces are raised beds with well-drained soil; drought-tolerant Mediterranean plants chosen. Original heavy London clay with WWII rubble required improvement.

Irrigation

Drought-tolerant plants — Minimal irrigation besides pots; mulching with stable manure or bark chips in spring aids moisture retention. Rainwater collected but never enough. Slow-release fertilizer in autumn encourages deep roots.

Hardscape Materials

Modular retaining walls finished with buff cement complementing sandstone paving and gravel; black-painted wooden fencing with natural wood trellis atop brick walls.

Privacy

Trachelospermum coverage — Trachelospermum as vertical covering traps scent; small trees provide cover for people and birds.

Pests

Trellised climbers — Neat trellising supports Trachelospermum jasminoides and Clematis ‘Madame Julia Correvon’. Foxes and squirrels prolific; fox family cavorts at night.

Outdoor Space Use

Seating sun and shade — Seating in sun and shade, varied and adaptable; shed as quiet hideaway for rainy days.

Favorite Aspect

Green roof wildflower meadow — Shed roof is a wildflower meadow adding color and attracting wildlife; pond also attracts frogs, bats, birds, fox cubs.

Advice for Beginners

Plant grouping — Prostrate rosemary, ferns, chocolate vine (Akebia quinata) happy together. Plant communities thriving in conditions not guaranteed; many variables.

Plants Moved or Removed

Side passage — Scented walls of Trachelospermum jasminoides in side passage. Nepeta (catmint) destroyed by local cats; lavender, achillea, salvia need replacing after 6–8 years.

For another Lessons Learned, see Salvaging a Garden from a Previous Remodel.

About Garden: 7 Compelling Reasons to Work from a Garden Office; Garden Design London: From Concept to Creation Across the Capital; 5 Life Lessons the Garden Teaches Us; Lessons From a Manhattan Rooftop Kitchen Garden; Lessons from Monet's Garden: Timeless Design Inspiration from Giverny; Vegetable Garden Lessons from Longwood Gardens; Reviving a Neglected Garden: Lessons from Undoing a Costly Remodel; Family Garden Makeover: 10 Steps to Success; Lessons from a Botanical Garden: Fragrance, Giants, Birds, and Seasonal Interest; Tiny Backyard Transformation: Lessons from a 600-Square-Foot Garden

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