Make Room for Change

My statement that gardens are never finished can be further explored in the need for growth and change. It is a given that plants grow and get larger or have life cycle that varies but growth in a garden can also mean for room for change. When designing the plan and intention for the garden in 3 years time, five years time and longer needs to be held within the design. Sometimes materials and plants will need updating but more than that it is about designing for our changes too. Will the garden be able to keep pace with the changing needs of a family with young children and then the changing requirements of teenagers and then moving beyond to other phases of life? Can a garden be reimagined in ten years without throwing away the materials? Can larger paving slabs be used to reduce the need for mortar? Can hardstanding be reduces and permeable material such as gravel be introduced? We try and design for the long term in conjunction with second life principles.