The Art of the Living Landscape

I believe a garden should be a dialogue between architecture and ecology—a space that feels both meticulously structured and artfully wild. My work at Le Jardin Contemporain is driven by a commitment to vernacular authenticity: using materials sympatheic to the region, the play of light, juxtaposition of form and resilient plant communities to create landscapes that harmonise with their surroundings and endure.

I design for the future of our climate. My gardens are built on the principles of drought-tolerance, the juxtapositions of texture, form & composition, informed by the landscape of France and beyond, and ecologically robust. Moving away from the ‘stasis’ of high-maintenance lawns, toward more biodiverse landscapes that thrive with character and maturity. Gardening is not about ‘tidiness’; it is about stewardship and the intelligent curation of a living and dynamic natural system.

My philosophy is informed by over a decade of practice at the highest levels of British and French horticulture. My background includes:

Training: Trained in Horticulture at Bristol University’s Botanical Gardens and qualified with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), I bring a plants-first attitude together with a scientific understanding of soil health and plant physiology to every design.

TV & Media: My career has been defined by working in high-specification environments with clients expecting high-end finishes and results. Working under Andy Dean (a producer the BBC’s ‘Garden Rescue’) and contributing to high-profile television garden builds instilled professional discipline with a broadcaster’s eye for detail.

Collaborations: I have worked in gardens created by RHS Gold Medalists such as Butter Wakefield and Darren Hawkes, and managed complex private gardens for high-profile clients like Robert Del Naja.

I seek to partner with clients who view their garden as an evolving asset—a project of beauty and biodiversity that requires expert direction rather than simple maintenance.

So why choose me?

One-to-one and direct: I manage the entire process—from the first enquiry, through design and build to the final plant. This ensures the design vision is never lost during the entire project.

English & French speaking: This makes communicating with you, and any third party suppliers, much simpler.

RHS Expertise: I am formally trained in Horticulture and my work is grounded in the Royal Horticultural Society’s teachings, focusing on soil health and climate-resilient plant communities.

Professionalism: Having worked for high-profile individuals, I provide a service defined by clear communication & project management.

Exclusivity & prioritisation: I work with a limited number of clients each year. This allows me to maintain a high level of project quality and speed of communication. For the duration of your project you will be my main focus.

Sensitivity to the environment: I create gardens that are sympathetic to their surroundings and the warming climate. I seek to reuse and recycle waste on-site wherever possible to reduce unnecessary output. I use traditional materials made to last and blend with the local vernacular, such as wood, brick, stone and steel, but in a contemporary way that juxtaposes strong, durable form with soft and dynamic planting schemes. I use a range of trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs that work with Mediterranean xeric, meadow/prairie and steppe styles and that are, once established, well adapted to periods of dry weather, require no cossetting support, or excessive irrigation, have no special fertilising requirements, or need other constant special attention from the gardener.

What do others think of me and my work?

“Barry has done a fantastic job of turning a neglected and boring landscape into a lovely, zoned and low maintenance joy exactly as we discussed. He is a total expert who works hard at his craft with wonderful results…I could not have wished for better. It is a work of art” – Helen, Charroux

“We inherited a large garden that was totally overgrown. We wanted a mediterranean garden and Barry designed a wonderful plan…We agreed a budget which he did not exceed…We particularly enjoy dining under the pergola with its sturdy oak posts which will eventually be entwined with jasmine. Our mediterranean garden designed by Barry is beautiful and flourishing” – Myrjam, Paizay Naudouin

“Barry has designed a low-maintenance naturalistic-style garden on a plot of more than one hectare. He elaborated beautifully and in detail the garden concept, including the selection and location of various plants, flowers, bushes, trees and potager, as well as paths and sitting areas. A great advantage of Barry’s services is that…he is also executing the works, including procurement of various plants and other materials at a competitive price. Barry is a very reliable professional, always responsive, adapting the design to our wishes and strives for the best quality possible. He regularly follows up on the gardens progress and provides hands-on advice how to maintain it. We highly recommend him” – Stefan, Paizay Naudouin