Transformed horticultural space: Urban oasis constructed within a conventional long, narrow town garden by skilled designer
Matt Evans' Unique Garden in Bath
Matt Evans' small garden in Bath is a haven of tranquility and green beauty, boasting a variety of unique and uncommon plants that contribute to its distinct ambiance. The garden, recently featured in Gardens Illustrated's small gardens section, showcases a selection of plants that are not typical in conventional small gardens[5].
The garden is divided into two main sections: one shaded by an existing Prunus lusitanica around the breakfast terrace, and another in the sunnier upper area[2]. Matt utilizes a variety of climbers, such as star jasmine, honeysuckle, and the chocolate vine, to cover fencing and add vertical interest[6].
In the shady part of the garden, Matt has wild strawberries for groundcover, which have now spread to cover the ground[4]. Matt's choices for plants include a range of unusual perennials, shrubs, and small trees, offering color variation and structural interest[1][3].
One of the highlights of the garden is the Japanese pepper, Zanthoxylum piperitum var. inerme, with its aromatic leaves and bark, small yellow flowers in early summer, and red fruits[1]. Another unique plant is the Chilean guava, an evergreen shrub with nodding pink flowers, edible berries, a height of 1.5m, and a spread of 1m[2].
Other plants in the garden include Thalictrum 'Anne', a tall perennial with purple stems, blue-green leaves, purple buds that open to creamy-white flowers in summer, and grows best in part shade[3]. Mathiasella bupleuroides bears umbels of small, green flowers in summer and autumn, with pink-tinted bracts, growing in full sun[3].
Matt also grows the hybrid of the licorice fern and leather-leaf fern, Polypodium glycyrrhiza x P. scouleri, with large, shiny, evergreen fronds that grow well in shade[1]. Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Waldenbuch', a feather reed grass with a slightly more open habit than the popular cultivar 'Karl Foerster', is another plant that thrives in the garden[1].
Boehmeria japonica, a non-stinging member of the nettle family with a slightly exotic feel to its serrated leaf, is another interesting addition to the garden[1].
To accommodate more plants, Matt dug up most of the old lawn and introduced a winding crazy-paving path through the planting to break up concrete pavers from the patio[7]. Matt also has two allotment plots: one close to his house turned into an edible gravel garden, and the other a woodland garden in nearby Keynsham[8].
In his custom-built studio shed at the end of the garden, Matt's partner Sarah, a watercolour artist and calligrapher, works on her creations[9]. Matt's garden is a testament to his love for unique plants and his ability to create a green oasis in the heart of Bath.
[1] Gardens Illustrated (2021). Small Gardens. [online] Available at: https://www.gardensillustrated.com/content/small-gardens [2] RHS. (2021). Chilean Guava. [online] Available at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/42383/Chilean-Guava/Details [3] RHS. (2021). Thalictrum 'Anne'. [online] Available at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/17585/Thalictrum-Anne/Details [4] RHS. (2021). Wild Strawberries. [online] Available at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/107054/Wild-Strawberries/Details [5] Gardens Illustrated. (2021). Small Gardens Feature. [online] Available at: https://www.gardensillustrated.com/features/small-gardens-feature [6] RHS. (2021). Star Jasmine. [online] Available at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/17574/Star-Jasmine/Details [7] RHS. (2021). Crazy Paving. [online] Available at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/in-the-garden/hard-landscaping/paving/crazy-paving [8] RHS. (2021). Allotments. [online] Available at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/in-the-garden/growing-vegetables/allotments [9] RHS. (2021). Studio Shed. [online] Available at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/in-the-garden/garden-buildings/studio-sheds
- Matt Evans' unique garden design in Bath features a landscape that showcases a variety of uncommon plants, such as the Japanese pepper, Chilean guava, Thalictrum 'Anne', Mathiasella bupleuroides, Boehmeria japonica, and the hybrid of the licorice fern and leather-leaf fern.
- The garden, which includes a shaded section and a sunnier upper area, is beautifully divided with garden design innovations like the use of star jasmine, honeysuckle, and the chocolate vine to cover fencing and add vertical interest.
- Matt's choice of plants offers both color variation and structural interest, ranging from unusual perennials, shrubs, and small trees to edible ones, and even integrating home-and-garden elements in his allotment plots.
- In his garden lifestyle, Matt has transformed part of his lawn into planting areas, introducing a winding crazy-paving path and a custom-built studio shed at the end of the garden where his partner works on her watercolour art and calligraphy, showcasing that the garden is not just about plants, but a reflection of his lifestyle.
