We returned to Paddington only days after the work was done, and the garden already felt settled, as though it had been waiting for this moment to breathe again, with new life resting quietly in the soil and the promise of growth carried by sun and water still to come. Lukie wasted no time finding his favourite spot, a small plant trap tucked into the greenery, which is often the clearest sign that a garden is doing what it should.
From the entry, the space now unfolds with intention. Viburnum lines the fence and will slowly knit itself into a soft green backdrop, while Liriope Emerald Cascades sit below to ease the straight edges and bring a sense of flow and calm. The planting here is quiet but purposeful, designed to mature gently and hold the space without demanding attention.
At the centre, the garden becomes something you move through and touch. The old Zoysia grass is gone, replaced with oregano, thyme, and rosemary that release their scent as you brush past, inviting small hands and curious feet to explore. The fence feels lighter with the passionfruit vine removed, and Salvia Mystic Spires now stands in place of sticky rosemary, drawing in bees, birds, and butterflies and giving the garden a subtle rhythm of movement.
Where the garden once felt crowded, it now has room to grow. The oversized Dions have been removed and replaced with a dwarf lemon and a second dwarf citrus that will reward patience with fruit in the years ahead. Miss Muffets and Liriope soften the centre garden beneath the olive tree, which has been pruned back and given space to reset itself. It is grounded, open, and ready to evolve.
