Gardens - Case Studies

A Modern Cottage Garden: Rear Garden

The rear garden design has been set out to include a series of central lawns, simply bordered with flower beds: features waterlily pond, oak pergola and a main entertaining area with wood burner. The properties modern extension lends to the modern cottage brief within the garden. The paving seamlessly blends from the old riven sandstone into the new areas with modern sawn sandstone paving. The pergola, a bespoke oak structure is clad in Wisteria, delicate rambling evergreen Rosa banksiae and a backdrop of abundantly scented evergreen Trachelospermum. The planting is soft, simple but also structural. Long flowering plants were chosen, plants with distinct grey foliage contrast with softly swaying grasses and umbellifers abound. The central patio surrounded by evergreen white Hebe’s looks onto a simple rectangular white waterlily pond, the area is cosy but does not exclude itself from the surrounding garden. There is a beautiful full sun meadow, Beech trees are underplanted with small shrubs amongst masses of grasses, Agapanthus, Centaurea and native Achillea. Bulbs appear throughout the year, small white Alliums through to delicate Summer flowering Triteleia’s. Magnolia grandiflora has been planted on the west facing side of the property to provide cover, bounded by shade loving planting, at the base, Anemones and Umbellifers tussle in a soft, loose style of planting. The last area, shaded, has been planted with trees and shrubs, each chosen for either their distinctive flower or leaf. A combination of shade loving herbaceous perennials and shrubs that flower from Spring through to Winter, mingle between a variety of Anemone’s. The Cornus kousa ‘China Girl’, a multi-stem specimen is a real showstopper, flowering during late Spring and early Summer. The garden is fully irrigated and fitted with extensive lighting throughout.

Cottage Vegetable Garden

This is a terraced garden of two areas: a vegetable garden and a more formal cottage garden.

The spaces are separated by an espalier Apple tree trellis work.

With space at a premium the garden incorporates clever planning to maximise use to the client and to wildlife. The vegetable garden contains many raised beds, apple trees and crab apples. The espalier Apple trees are under planted with mixed herbs and lavender for pollinators. A mixed native boundary hedge, rose hips and crab apples provide winter fodder for birds. Sleepers give the vegetable garden a rustic feel.

In the cottage garden a cosy seating area is provided under a Rose clad pergola. Other Roses ramble along trellis work to create a cottage garden atmosphere. Throughout, a pastel palette of mixed herbaceous planting and native grasses attracts pollinators. The gravel paths have been laced with self-seeding plants to soften.

1920s Garden Inspiration

I was influenced by the colours and style of the 1920’s and used this as my inspiration. My client wanted Roses, ferns, classical lines and strong colours. I have used a strong colour palette here with the intention to give a vivid but sultry 1920’s look.

Bee Friendly Garden

The property is a new build thatch within the South Downs Conservation Area. The clients wanted the garden to incorporate a relaxation area; an outdoor office space come summerhouse; and be curvy! Most importantly the garden must be bee friendly.

The planting style for this garden is modern cottage: Roses combine with grasses and bee friendly perennials to create a soft ambiance.

The water feature is a focus of soft sounds and reflections of light. Gravel incorporated into the tiers of the water feature allow it to be frequented by bees.

I was able to utilise many great Butterfly and Bee friendly Plants grown locally by my family at their Nursery “Butterfly Cottage Garden Plants”

A Vibrant Garden for an Edwardian Property

The initial brief for this garden was a red, blue and white scheme. Later that widened to include colours that are not wishy washy but rather “punchy”. The gardens upper terrace and lower terrace were joined by a sloping pathway thoroughfare.

The large sloping grassy bank was replaced with a planted retaining wall and became the foundation for the upper terrace.

The upper terrace has a very open aspect and as an extension of the Kitchen and living area gives the front garden a very sociable feel. This area has raised planters for growing vegetables. Herbs are incorporated into the ornamental plantings.

Trees were planted in the lower garden to give Spring blossom and foliage interest. A large pergola was constructed to, over time, give the lower garden a feeling of enclosure.

The main features of the planting throughout are Roses, Salvias, Hydrangeas and Hemerocallis.

In the lower terrace strawberries are planted in the ornamental beds.
More recently the garden was planted with a vibrant mix of tulips and other choice bulbs.

Woodland family garden

My client wanted a naturalistic low maintenance family garden. The garden has two distinct areas. The upper portion is a woodland play area with the main season of interest in Spring and early Summer. Native bulbs and wildflowers blend with an array of grasses and other cultivated plants.

The overall feel is an uncomplicated one, soft and naturalistic. A wildlife friendly garden where the children can spend time with insects and nature.

In the lower portion of the garden the family wanted an area to grow vegetables but also an area to relax and eat. There are sleeper raised beds for vegetable growing, an area for formal dining and for relaxation low level comfortable seating. Adjacent to the vegetable garden is a shed area and children’s playhouse.