Merrion Road Garden (Ballsbridge)

The client’s brief for this project in the heart of South Dublin was to unite the front and back gardens of a period redbrick house via a narrow side passage way in order to create a harmonious flow.

Two large spiral stemmed Bay trees were planted on either side of the main front window to make a statement and add interest. Buxus hedges and Portuguese laurel were used to create a green framework, giving the front of the house an overall classic contemporary look. The front garden progresses through a wooden gate at the side of the house leading into a side passage tunnel of purple Wisteria draped over a bespoke wooden pergola. Here, black slate paving tiles were selected for the passageway floor providing a timeless look that has a sympathetic connection to the period property with its slate roof. At the junction of the old house and its new modern extension, the passageway widens to create a small narrow courtyard garden where the existing Fatsia Japonica was retained and pruned to its former splendor and an understated water feature was installed to create a welcoming transition before entering the main back garden.

The back garden was a bit of a challenge as it had a lower level with a strange angle that tapered off towards the right of the house.

However, clever design and planting were used to create an illusion of symmetry as the eye is drawn down towards the back of the garden along what appears to be a central pathway. A large paved upper terrace leading off the new extension with full glass frontage was constructed with equal floor levels to ensure a seamless flow from house to garden. A beautiful Magnolia Grandiflora was strategically planted to the side of the new extension to allow for privacy from neighbouring houses. Steps down to a pathway flanked by two generously planted flowerbeds leads on to a lower level terrace at the back of the garden. This is the sunniest part of the garden that enjoys the evening sun, making it the ideal spot for outdoor dining on warm summer evenings. Several mature olive trees were planted here and Florentine terracotta pots were filled to the brim with lavender and Mediterranean plants creating a timeless ‘not modern’ garden that exudes charm and tranquility in the heart of the city.