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This sunny patio area is to the front of the house, there being little garden to the rear. It is raised and rather open to view from passers-by, so a series of terraces were built to raise planting levels, along with a pergola and trellis.
By having to cross the rill to reach the patio, a secure fortress-like mood is inspired! |
This shows the three levels rising to the pergola-covered patio area, which has a partly glazed roof and built-in seat. |
Exposed aggregate paving leads up through a broad flight of steps to a narrow (railway sleeper) bridge which passes over the rill (or is it drawbridge and moat!). |
A general view of the rill backed by railway sleeper walls with Ceanothus trailing down. |
The upper rill section drops down to the lower, just next to the bridge. |
The gravel section between rill and sleepers is a biological filter, planted with water iris and dwarf reeds. |
After just two years, the planting is looking lush and mature. |
One of five copper pipes that discharge water into the gravel filter (it's hard to see as the water's so clear). |
About the only Cotoneaster I like, C. microphyllus, trailing down over the textured face of the railway sleepers. |