This design was for a newly renovated cottage, whose garden had been completely cleared down to bare soil and had several large drain covers sitting in it. When I became involved, the patio had already been laid, with a central opening onto the garden.   

 

Rather than running a central path down the middle of the garden, which would have made it feel smaller, I oriented the design at 45 degrees, which created several large planting beds.   I ensured that all of the drain covers were hidden within either the paths or the planting.  Rhythm was provided through repeated plantings of Alchemilla mollis, Nepeta 'Walker's Low' and Hebe rakiensis.  

 

The garden had lovely open views to the north over a paddock,which I wanted to complement rather than screen.  

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