The design for the back garden
The property, a former show home, featured a landscaped garden that didn’t align with the client’s preferences. The garden felt disjointed, with a lack of flow connecting the spaces. The client requested a redesign incorporating several key elements:
- A seating area to enjoy the views
- A summer house and shed
- A water feature and bird table/feeding area
- Log store, BBQ, and compost bins
- Space for herbs and rhubarb
The new design aimed to integrate existing planting where possible to achieve a cottage garden style. The client desired a garden that promotes wildlife, and offers a variety of scents, textures, height, and year-round interest. Our designer worked closely with them to create a cohesive design that captures these elements and reflects their vision. The clients wanted us to recreate both their back garden and front garden.
Our designer prioritized sustainability by reusing materials from the existing garden, minimizing waste, and repurposing what could be salvaged. The pebbles, for instance, are repurposed in the shady side of the garden where their impact is softened, but they serve a valuable and practical purpose.
The design for the front garden
When designing the front garden, there was already a strong foundation, with the hard landscaping in place and functioning well. However, additional elements were needed to achieve the desired cottage garden feel and better reflect the client’s style.
We added an estate-style fence on both sides of the driveway and parking area. To address the garden’s exposed feel, we introduced more visual interest by reshaping the lawn and incorporating softer planting to enhance the existing scheme.
Around the front door, the mature shrub planting provides a solid structure. The new design reshapes the lawn areas to allow for the addition of softer shrubs and perennials, balancing the established planting. The final result is a lot softer, more wildlife-friendly garden with year-round interest.
