Formerly this prominent spot and the sunniest in the garden, was enjoyed by only the wheelie bins. The concrete hardstanding though practical was particularly uninspiring. Once this was removed and replaced with the gravel and stones it unified the space and provided a perfect place to plant a feature magnolia.I utilised the hot south facing wall to train a fig tree and create a white rendered raised bed which holds an array of aromatic, Mediterranean herbs including lemon thyme, rosemary, parsley and sage. The seating area is flanked by olive trees in pots and a mature olive in a larger pot which provides much needed shade from about mid-morning onwards. The wildlife pond is planted with carex grasses, heuchera, irises and a clematis. The lilac near the house provides welcome cover for visiting birds and a fantastic explosion of purple colour in May. The Mediterranean Terrace
The spot at the side of the house immediately under the kitchen faces due south and as such gets sun for most of the day. It is definitely the hottest part of the garden and as such the perfect location for a spot of al fresco dining.With its window boxes of cascading pelargoleums, exotic looking codylines, olive trees and towering cypresses there is more than a nod to the hills of Tuscany which inspired it. The proximity to bird feeders mean the patio is awash with birdsong and the sound of trickling water that can be traced directly to the nearby 'folly' positioned under a trellis screen at the edge of the patio area; the mask spouting water inspired by the Bocca della Verità in Rome. 
Gallery
To achieve the feel of an authentic Tuscan landscape and planting scheme, I had to remove a section of the concrete hard standing to create a gravel garden, with planting pockets for Mediterranean plants such as rosemary, cystus and lavender. The patio itself was created using cobbles (a mixture of Purbeck stone and flint) set into the ground and smoothed over to create an even surface. It may seem an extravagance but is worth it to achieve the authentic feel I wanted which I feel would be lost if I had used traditional slabs or paving. More information on how I built this part of the garden can be found here.