A Hint of Provence

ABOVE An avenue of brick pillars frames the rectangular swimming pool. The slender bricks used in the construction of the pillars were especially commissioned by the developer for this project.

OPPOSITE TOP A view from the gazebo across to the contemplative garden.

CLIENT BRIEF To design a French-style garden in terms of the hard landscaping, at the same

time using predominantly indigenous plants.

As this garden space is relatively small, its design relies on strong architectural features

for impact.

The garden lies on a horizontal axis, parallel to the home. An avenue of brick columns,

mounted with timber beams, frames the small rectangular swimming pool. Jan designed a

tranquil, contemplative garden for his client to the left of the pool and, to the right, a raised

gazebo for entertaining. All three features lie on this strong axis, with glimpses of each visible

from opposite ends of the garden.

The grey lap pool doubles as a water feature, with plain copper spouts spilling the

circulating water. The rich, siltstone-clad feature wall adds an earthy tone that is repeated in

the pebble inlay and slabs of sandstone coping around the pool.

A mature Acacia siberiana frames the contemplative garden, while a classic

Lutyens-style bench invites one to pause awhile and enjoy this intimate space.

The stylish cast-iron urn, filled with decorative Echeveria elegans, makes a beautiful

centrepiece, set within the bark-covered circle. Mixed indigenous planting softens the

boundary wall behind the bench.

TOP Acacia siberiana shades the reflective garden with its view back towards the pool. Bark nuggets provide a soft, muted flooring to emphasise the quiet of this area.

TOP RIGHT The stylishly furnished gazebo has dropdown reed blinds for protection from the wind.

OPPOSITE MAIN Identical cast-iron urns, filled with the Cape Thatching Grass, Chondropetalum tectorum, grace the slender water feature outside the dining area. The gazebo provides a comfortable entertainment area for the clients. A green-glazed oil

jar features against the warm tones of the boundary wall, which is slowly being smothered by

a web of Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata spp).

Leading off the gazebo, a slender water feature runs the length of the boundary wall,

creating a tranquil picture for both the dining area and the kitchen. The siltstone cladding is

repeated here and, in keeping with this confined area, the copper spouts are more delicate

than those used at the swimming pool. The same style of urn is repeated in the water feature,

and is planted with the indigenous water-loving grass, Chondropetalum tectorum.

As with the previous garden, the plant palette is predominantly green with occasional

splashes of colour. Sculptural tree aloes, Aloe barbarae, flank the bench in the contemplative

garden, underplanted with groups of Dietes bicolor, Strelitzia reginae and Asparagus

densiflorus ‘Myers’. Mature indigenous olive trees, Olea europea subs. africana, with

masses of orange-flowering Clivia miniata at their feet, cast welcome shade over the

gazebo in summer.