A large, rural plot modernised to reflect the stylish house interior. Striking features and distinct areas are all brought together through a structured, cohesive design with varied planting providing plenty of seasonal change.
The property had been owned by the clients for five years and following an extension to the house and the installation of a garden building to house a gym, the one acre garden needed a complete re-think. It had some attractive mature shrubs and well established trees, but lacked any real cohesive lay-out. A large terrace had already been built but didn’t have steps down to the main lawn and there were no features elsewhere to persuade exploration of the rest of the garden.
The Brief:
- To improve the garden to reflect the stylish modern interior of the house.
- Better use of the space including somewhere for grandchildren to play.
- Seasonal interest in the planting, especially in late summer.
The Design:
The garden is sub-divided into five distinct areas which are partially screened from each other allowing glimpses through to adjoining areas. Repeated use of certain plants and flowers throughout the garden creates a feeling of unity.
The garden’s key features include:
Pond: Water in a garden is an endless source of fascination for adults and children; with this in mind, a pond was created next to the new gym building. Decking in front of the gym was widened to cantilever out over the water, making a perfect viewing platform.
Swimming Pool: The new swimming pool was landscaped using generous proportions of paving to make comfortable areas for relaxing around the pool. A timber pergola clothed in a grape vine makes a shady place for dining whilst block planting of tall ornamental grasses and hornbeam hedging screen the area from the rest of the garden.
Woodland: A mown path through long grass leads through the woodland area to a grass roofed arbour, making a welcome place to sit in this calm, green space. A bespoke oak-framed swing and a sculpted grass landform incorporating a slide, create an interesting place for children to play. The planting enhances the informal character and includes foxgloves, ferns, hellebores and naturalizing daffodils in the grass.
Vegetable garden: This part of the garden manages to be both attractive and practical. Raised vegetables beds for herbs and seasonal vegetables have been built and were very successful in their first year. There’s also a timber greenhouse, small shed and log-store.
Before
After
Drive: A larger Drive with a pleasing curved shape was built in the front garden, creating more space for cars to be parked away from the house. The gravel is laid on a stabilising foundation preventing it from moving and making it more comfortable to walk on.
Before
After
Terrace: New steps lead down from the terrace to a lawn that’s divided from the rest of the garden by a large border of shrubs, ornamental grasses, colourful flowering perennials, alliums, tulips and clipped evergreens. A new level lawn mirrors the shape of the existing terrace and provides a space for children to play. An oak pergola for climbing roses and clematis, leads through to the woodland area of the garden.
The finished result has a cohesive feel to it, the different areas are connected by paths creating a journey round the garden. The variety of plants means plenty of seasonal change throughout the year, with a strong structural lay-out underpinning the design.
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