The clients wanted a front garden which was sympathetic with their Victorian house. They wanted all year interest and particularly liked roses.

In keeping with the house, I designed a Victorian style parterre planted with low box hedges (Buxus sempervirens) and highlighted with pale gravel paths. Three sides of the parterre are planted with pastel coloured bulbs and perennials to give colour from spring through to autumn, with roses under planted with bulbs inside the box borders. Climbing shrubs are trained against the brick walls to reduce their impact.

In summer there is a riot of colour and texture, while in winter there is an attractive evergreen design.