Pink-toned limestone brickwork frames the beds in both gardenSome provide a splendid contrast with whimsical plants. The greeting to visitors as they descend the steps to the first floor balcony is unassuming Dahlia imperialis At least three meters high. A crab apple tree hosts a cucumber plant, while scarlet-flowered runner beans climb a Japanese snowbell tree (Styrax japonicus). Other prize plants include a beautiful abutilon and a silk tree that thrive in this sheltered environment, with wonderful feathery pink and white flowers in summer and long seedpods in fall.
“Habiba was used to the outdoor life,” says Sophie. ‘This garden has a larger footprint than the house, so the garden had to become a playroom. He leaves straight after school.’ Sophie runs a forest-school club for Habiba and her friends one evening a week. They learn about planting and growing, discover that the garden is an important habitat for insects, birds and animals and try to take fruit and vegetables home: ‘It’s great to know where their food comes from – and to be involved. gardening It’s wonderful for their self-esteem.’
Bennett Smith
Sophie finds designing the garden with Habiba an enjoyable exercise. ‘It became more and more layered – what was originally meant to be an ornamental garden became more edible. works together ChildrenYou have to be willing to let them decide, and then figure it out how If things are not right, fix them.’
This delightful, unconventional garden truly belongs to both of them and shows what can be achieved with small. city space in a short time. Planted only six months before these pictures were taken, it looks like it has been around for a very long time. Above all, it sustains its human inhabitants both pastorally and nutritionally, providing the amount of nature they both crave.
Sophie Walker Studio: sophiewalkerstudio.com
