PROPERTY
ANNE ASHWORTH
A
garden is a refuge. But that does not mean it cannot also be a place to compete with friends and neighbours – and this has been the case in London this summer where a ferocious game of property one-upmanship is being played out in back and front yards and even window boxes. People previously ignorant of how things grow are trying to sound as knowledgeable as Chelsea Flower Show award-winners. Will this hugely enjoyable spectator sport become a permanent fixture of the property market? Almost certainly. The aristocrats of the 18th century vied to have the loveliest estate, with the most eye-catching ‘natural’ features, employing illustrious landscape architects to divert streams into cascades and build follies. The months of lockdown and the rise of the urban staycation have brought about a similar focus on London gardens, some of which now boast furniture, lighting and kitchens as expensive as those indoors. The planting is also a throwback to the 18th century with its emphasis on nature apparently untamed, but, in reality, carefully stage-managed. Bee-friendly wildflowers such as buttercups are permitted to flourish as proof of awareness of the hip horticultural thinking in which “the difference between a flower and weed is a judgement”. Even window boxes are being styled to look as informal as possible, with trailing varieties of plants at the front to give a waterfall effect. The smartly painted bench in the front garden is part of the look. Ideal to watch the world go by on a balmy evening, with a Negroni in hand. 62 The London Magazine
Behind the buffing up of the backyard lies an elite army of garden designers This willingness to expend large sums on kitting out the garden may have been spurred by the requirement to socialise outdoors. But this pandemic trend is taking root in every part of the property market, affecting not only the desirability of houses, but also of flats. The quality of the outdoor space of an apartment in a residential tower now seems set to be key to its appeal, with balconies and terraces being expanded to provide the great outdoors experience in the centre of town. Expect more schemes to market themselves as exemplars of “biophilic design”, where connectivity to the
OUTDOOR LIVING ROOMS The quality of garden space is now key to a property’s appeal
environment is prioritised. The Wardian, an Eco-Ballymore development in Canary Wharf, has balconies with watering systems on which owners are encouraged to cultivate their own oases with the help of an expert service. The scheme takes its name from Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward, the Victorian botanist. Behind the buffing-up of the backyard lies an elite army of garden designers and interior designers with skills transferable to the outdoors. Andrew Dunning, design director of London Contemporary says: “People want us to create a living room outdoors.” Clients want the space to be lush, low maintenance and eco-conscious. Ferns are a favourite, environmentally-friendly and ideal for shady spots. As Dunning explains, the heater of choice is the low-energy consumption Heatsail Dome with its elegant dome-shaped shade. The smart sofa is the Minotti Florida, upholstered yet weather-resistant, topped with cushions covered in Designers Guild outdoor fabrics. Dunning reports that decking, formerly seen as a bit downmarket, is staging a comeback. Millboard decking resembles the wide planks of the wooden floor in a loft apartment in a converted 19th century warehouse. The emphasis on greenery in these gardens with their profuse vegetation will play its part in improving our air. This beautification of private spaces also carries another benefit. Who cannot be inspired by the faith in the future of our city shown by this investment in its properties? L
PHOTOGRAPH: ALAMY;SIMONTURNER
From wildflower windowboxes to outdoor kitchens, the London garden as a place for serious one-upmanship
