Brief:

The client asked me to create an overall vision and master plan for the whole garden that could be implemented in phases over the course of a few years. The client is open to a more rugged, climate-conscious and drought-tolerant planting with no irrigation requirements beyond the establishment period.

The plot is bathed in sunshine for the best part of the day, but is overlooked by neighbouring civic buildings. The plot benefits from having many established trees and shrubs within the garden itself, but these have not been well maintained by the predecessors and many are in poor health and condition.

Design:

Two things were clear to me from the outset: one) the garden could be viewed for the most part from the rear terrace without having to step a single foot into the garden and two) the relatively modern block house and adjoining traditional stone dovecote are in juxtaposition with one another and this dynamic should be reflected in the garden.

The design takes some aspects of more traditional english garden structuring ideas, modernising through material and plant selection as well as maintenance regimes. Corten steel edging defines the planting areas, vastly reduces lawn edge maintenance and separates cultivated areas from lawn and meadow. Terracotta coloured brick has been selected for its durability and to colour match the earthy and terracotta vernacular prevalent in the area. Likewise, oak timber has been selected for the timber structures in the garden.

The use of traditional axes retain certain views from inside the house and create focal points. Four separate seating areas have been created to allow the client to enjoy the garden at different times of day.

The swimming pool construction has been surrounded by a herbaceous perennial and shrub planting inspired by the garrigue areas of the mediterranean, allowing the client to become immersed in the planting itself, rather than be simply an observer from afar.

A hedge set to the left of the swimming pool area planting at approximately 1.2m high separates the built up areas of the garden from the wilder parts and deliberately interrupts a complete view of the garden from the rear terrace, forcing the clients to venture into the garden to explore and enjoy its entirety.

The old dovecote building used for a significant proportion of the day has been given its own unique view of the garden. A ‘long walk’ out into the garden has been created in brick and corten steel, flanked by 8 oak ‘arch’ways clothed in white climbing roses and surrounded by two beds of white flowered perennials. The softer and more traditional planting in this part of the garden is separated from the rest of the garden by an ornamental grass ‘hedge’. These grasses en masse add movement and texture to the garden and represent the transition from the more traditional, gardened, section of the garden to the more laissez-faire, naturalised part.

The Charente river, a stone’s throw from the property, is the inspiration for the shape of the path that intersects the large meadow and seating area.

Additional trees and shrubs have been added to block unwanted views beyond the garden and replace those ailing plants that have unfortunately had to be removed. Planting includes a strong use of natives and near-natives, to include Pinus sylvestris (in regular and dwarf forms), Amelanchier ovalis, Cercis siliquastrum, Stipa gigantea, Euphorbia, herbaceous Salvias and many others. This is an ongoing project, its progress continually being shared on my instagram page.