Hanson

The idea behind the re:create eco garden was to provide a gradually changing design, from the defined shape of the bricks in one corner to the crushed brick material opposite. This reflects a steady move from a simple, yet uniform structure at one end to a much more random design in the opposing corner.

The planting, as we’ve described, complements the dry nature of the overall scheme and the plants and grasses require little maintenance.

The design functions equally well with the dominant pot in the top corner counterbalancing the spiky palms to the left and right; or without the pot, the paved area being left entirely plain and open.

For best results follow the step-by-step build process below

		Mark out your plot and scrape off the top layer of soil to between 50mm and 100mm deep. This will create space for any mortar used to set the hard landscaping or bricks in place. Make sure the ground is level and cover the plot with a weed preventing membrane.

		Start by laying the bricks. We’ve used oast house red multi bricks, (available from Hanson stockists) onto a wet mortar bed over the weed preventing membrane. The bricks may simply be laid onto sand alone without any mortar assuming the ground is prepared and levelled first, but we recommend the mortar option. Don’t put any mortar between the bricks; simply fill those gaps later with suitable sand.

		Place the various plants in situ by cutting holes through the membrane, digging out enough soil to accommodate the roots and watering them in well. Try and visualise the plants in terms of spread and growth in a year or two and relate this to your initial layout and orientation.

		With the planting complete, spread the crushed brick to fill in any gaps around the bricks, in and under the planting and right up to the inside edges. We’ve used both red and buff crushed brick in this design, mixing them gradually towards the middle of the garden for a natural, more integrated feel.

		Finally arrange the cotswold rockery and the river cobbles to suit. We’ve been picky here and only used the whitest of the river cobbles. (They come in a variety of colours, being a naturally occurring product from blues and browns to greys and whites).

For a 2m x 2m garden like ours you will need:

River cobbles (white) Approx 10 - 12

Cotswold rockery Approx 10

Crushed red brick Approx 3 Maxipacks

Crushed buff brick Approx 3 Maxipacks

Red multi bricks Approx 70 - 80

Sand and mortar To suit

All quantities are approximate and are meant as a guide only.