Rich and rectalinear describes this modern city garden by Ruth Marshall. 

What knocks me out about this thoroughly modern presentation is that it doesn’t ignore the traditional perennials and borders that make England so gorgeous.  The difference is that rather than drifts and naturalistic groupings, these plants reflect the central grid of paving.  The cool color palette makes the magenta heucheras and the rusty bark of the trees stand out in sharp contrast.

The background panels give a feeling of midcentury peg boards with stronger square grids that mirror the paving. The black pavers are broken by fascinating glass panes, water and outstanding lighting.  The tall triangular glass tubes at the rear become fully illuminated by uplights at night.  The slick surfaces of the black granite pavers and all the glass give a decidedly refined and elegant appearance without the cheap looking pop-plastic elements and garish colors we see so often in the retro style.

To read more about this cute garden, click here http://www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea/2006/exhibitors/city_gardens/mencap.asp 

If you’d like to print the plant list for this garden, click here http://www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea/2006/exhibitors/city_gardens/mencapplant.asp