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The view from the sitting room windows was important here. The brief was to design and produce a border to obscure as far as possible the view of a house being built at the end of my clients’ rear garden near St Albans. The planting was to harmonise with the style of planting already present in the garden and my clients also wanted a garden shed installed.

A border has been created with a flowing shape to fit with existing garden features and borders. Mature trees have been planted, together with shrubs, perennials and bulbs to give interest in all seasons. A hedge of conifer trees has been planted at the rear of the border, with a fence topped by trellis behind. The planting is easy to care for and provides interest throughout the year. An automated irrigation system ensures that the plants receive all the water they need through the growing season.

The clients’ existing statue has been placed between two silver birch trees, surrounded by foliage and flowers. The shed, in my clients’ favoured style, has been tucked into a corner with evergreen shrubs and other planting, which will grow up and conceal it from view.

The trees chosen are native species, giving a naturalistic feel and not drawing attention towards the view being hidden. The completed garden feels as though it has always been this way, although dramatic change has taken place! My clients have told me that they greatly enjoy the view and that ‘the border’s a great success – there’s always something happening - as soon as one thing finishes flowering another pops up’.

The photographs show the garden six months after completion. The garden is between Harpenden and St Albans, Hertfordshire.