Pocaply Garden - 3rd place Garden of the Year 2012

New build bungalow on a sloping plot with no fencing.

The sloping plot of the house has offered itself to create an exciting hillside terraced garden. The main wooden terrace on the south side is connected to the house living room with a few wooden steps. Further away from the house the wooden terrace changes  gradually  to a grass area which slopes gently onto a lower terrace intended for children’s play. The natural incline of the plot was ideal for a the kid’s slide. There is no need for additional structural support and it also does not interfere with the view of the house. Small islands of  ornamental grass on both terraces help to create private spaces when desired. The last south terrace is a small orchard supplying the family with tasty home grown produce during the summer and autumn months.

The lowest south terrace and all other sloping areas have been designed as wildflower meadows which need to be mowed only twice a year. From early spring to late autumn the meadows offer attractive views and also create natural land borders.

Small retaining wall on the north side of the house has helped to create another living terrace. Locally sourced stone from the nearby quarry was used to build the wall curving around the property softening right angled edges of the house. The stone colour complements the wooden cladding of the house and appears  like a drywall although it is reinforced and has concrete footing. The terrace itself has been built from  solid oak blocks as a perfect place of relaxation by the open fire in a cast iron bowl. This part of the garden is dominated by a small birch tree grove offering an intimate feel..

The property owner did not wish to have fencing around the property. The natural plot terrain, the wildflower meadows and suitable choice of plants has helped to create natural land borders.

The garden design has been awarded 3rd prize in the National Competition ‘Garden of the Year’ organised by the Czech Association for Planting and Maintenance of Greenery (SZÚZ) in 2012.