GRAND makeovers
CITY SPACE
A circular lawn is surrounded by deep foliage borders
Town gardens are often long, narrow affairs that can become dull patches of grass edged in unloved borders. But, at Linnette Ralph’s North London home, she shows that even the most uninspiring plot offers scope for imaginative design. ‘Mine is divided into distinct areas – a formal flower garden near the house and a functional vegetable patch towards the back,’ she says.
‘The original garden could be seen, front to back, in the blink of an eye. By dividing it into different spaces, the view is broken up,’ she explains.
‘Now, looking out from the house, your eye is caught by the pots on the patio area. Bird feeders have been placed in the first bed, so I can watch birds feeding from indoors.
Then the eye travels down to the shed, with lots of interest in between. ‘When you walk out into the garden, the views change as you follow the path,’ continues Linnette. There’s also a bird’seye view from the top of the house, and I love the
