Moving into an apartment after owning a large home and garden takes some adjustment. For the owners of the inner-city pad, the transition was made easier by the fact their new home came with sizeable outdoor space. By purchasing two adjoining ground-floor apartments off-the-plan and converting them into one, they were able to create one 14x5.5m outdoor terrace along the east-facing rear wall. They wanted this space to be a private haven filled with plantlife, where they could relax, retreat and entertain friends and family.
Designers will use custom-designed planters, strategically placed, to divide the space into three zones – a sitting area, a dining zone, and a fire pit/conversation area. "The zones give the garden a sense of scale and purpose, enhancing the sense of journey as you enter the space," she says. Inspired by her clients' preference for foliage plants over flowers, she has created a garden of "luxurious, layered greenery", central to which is a 'living pergola'.
The strength of this design lies in its mostly green palette. Here, we share how to do it:

• A curated, minimal palette of evergreen plants works well in a small space, ensuring it feels complete throughout the seasons.


• Even in a mostly evergreen palette, introduce seasonal interest and color with a small columnar tree (maple) or a deciduous vine.


• Repetition in the use of plant species will ensure cohesion and connection between different zones.


• Think about leaf shapes: pair contrasting foliage types.


• Amplify the sense of greenery through the use of cascading foliage down the faces of pots and planter boxes. The effect is softening and lush.