Brief:

The existing garden comprised a bed of herbaceous planting beside one wall, a small corner of mixed hedge by the property, lawn, an area of grass left long, several trees and shrubs. The garden was baked to a crisp when I first came to the garden in September 2018 so it was crystal clear at that stage that all planting brought into the garden would have to be very drought tolerant.

Immediately I could see that the garden and its aspect was begging for a degree of connection to the beautiful fields and woodland copses beyond. The presentation of the planted areas by the house also needed attention. The garden is extremely exposed to sun with little tree cover and so requires more planting to offer areas of shade.

The garden contained a gite property so some degree of privacy from guests, and vice versa, was desired, but without a hard boundary such as a fence.

Reduction of water usage, drought tolerance, wildlife friendly, high impact planting with long periods of interest, and fuel reduction themes were all factors important to the new design.

Budget allowed for the design to be implemented in phases, as funds become available.

Design:

Very quickly I seized upon the idea that the garden could be divided into three sections which, through the planting choices and an increasing lack of formality as the garden progresses away from the house, could link the house, garden and fields together. More vibrant, naturalistic herbaecous planting is utilised by the house, progressing through more formal and informal meadows away from the house, flanked by areas of tree and shrub planting on both sides, more so on the right to reflect the need for shelter from wind. Planting by the house includes tall, yet diaphernous, species to offer a degree of privacy. Plant choices also include more natives away from the house. Planting choices change throughout the different areas of the garden, and to take advantage of late afternoon backlighting, although certain species link all areas to give the garden overall cohesion.

The existing tree and shrub planting has been altered and significantly added to to reflect the species seen in the woodlands beyond.

Leftover construction stone was crushed on site to make a gravel seating area by the house, the remainder uncrushed and used to fill gabion baskets in other parts of the garden. Durable corten steel border edging and garden furniture are used to specifically colour reference the soil colour and abundance of terracotta tiles prevalent in this part of France.

Remodelling of areas of the garden, including formal and informally shaped meadow areas, references the Charente river which runs through the village and by the house.