A Contemporary Cottage Garden

Scandinavia meets Cornwall in a contemporary cottage garden setting.

The design was inspired by the clients’ early years in Cornwall and time spent in Sweden, so it was crucial to bring the contrasting themes together in a pleasing scheme with an archway constructed from steam bent oak and a rock retaining wall and pond which echoed the coastline of Cornwall.  The whole garden was then pulled together with a 21^st century overhaul of the cottage garden planting scheme.

A Grand Design

A stunning garden design on a grand scale, which was created to complement a mature four acre site with a newly constructed eight bedroom house.

The core of the design focussed on developing a 21st century update on a traditional country estate, incorporating stylish, yet complex planting schemes in the various environments found throughout the garden; the use of modern materials and the latest construction techniques to create a breathtaking and practical garden for the clients. The underlying design ethos which supported the core design, was to pay homage to the site’s past by reinstating some of its traditional elements, coupled with a long-term vision of diversity and sustainability for the grounds and its immediate natural environment.

A Hilltop Garden in Berkshire

Set in 3.5 acres, this beautiful location was in need of a stunning new garden. With formal terraces and gardens near the house, sumptuous planting schemes, a ravine garden, gin deck, potager and an ancient woodland, this garden literally takes your breath away.

Framing the View

The current space was overwhelmed by the landscape beyond, so the client wanted the design to draw the eye back into the garden, but while at the same time not impeding the view. The solution was to create two windows on to the landscape from their terrace by strategically placing trees to frame the view. A estate fence was also installed to help stop the eye, thus keeping it within the garden.

Now, with the eye back within the garden, it was treated to corten steel retained terraces, a central water feature, a fire pit and a stunning and very contemporary planting scheme to complement the design.

Greenwall

The client is building two sleek studios in the garden and wanted a green wall to separate them both.

The aspect was a little tricky, facing north and in the rain shadow of the roof, so plant choice was difficult – the selection therefore focussed on leaf colour, form and texture, which created a cool and sleek combination for the wall. An irrigation system had to be fitted to keep the plants fed and watered.

Potager

The client had a large and awkwardly shaped overgrown fruit and vegetable garden which needed to be renovated. The centre piece of the new design was the addition of a large Hartley Botanic glasshouse, which was positioned cleverly to allow for the best use of the light whilst allowing for beautifully balanced design to radiate through the rest of the space. Provision for seating, rainwater harvesting and irrigation was included in the design.

Valley Garden

Inspiration for the garden came from the rolling hills and valley in which the garden sits.

Set on a steep south west facing slope, the garden with large dining/entertaining terraces were moulded around the new house; gabions were set into the slope running parallel with the rear of the house and the sinuous lines of the planting beds reconciled the space with the wider countryside beyond. There were three main planting schemes, two of which were developed for the south west aspect and the third, a cool and shady scheme, was designed to work at the front of the house in deep shade. The two main schemes, being a modern perennial and a rose prairie scheme are designed with a mix of perennials and grasses with low maintenance in mind; they work tirelessly from April to November with waves of colour, form and texture in abundance. Finally a large wildflower meadow was installed, which adds scent, colour and life to the garden, with movement and grace on the exposed site.

Pictorial Wildflower Meadow

A 300m2 wildflower meadow which was installed in April 2020. Photographed in June 2020, you can see the rapid progress it has made through the sunniest spring on record!

The site was cleared in April and a majority of the top soil was removed and used elsewhere in the garden. I used the Meadowscape Pro product from Wildflower Turf Ltd, which is essentially an enhanced growing medium, impregnated with all of the seeds necessary to create the meadow you see.

As you can see, it was a resounding success and the client was extremely happy.

An artist’s garden.

A contemporary garden for a discerning client who is wishing to create a stunning outdoor space where she can display her beautiful artwork. A renowned glass sculptor with an eye for quality, her brief was simple: create a contemporary garden using the latest in material and planting design, whilst incorporating many of her works.