The clients wanted a sleek and sophisticated garden with a strong design backbone that was softened with an abundance of planting. While a large lawn was no longer necessary, an area of lawn was retained to create contrast within the space, allow the eye to rest and provide that all important area for Shadow, the family Labrador.

We created three initial Concept Designs from which the final design emerged. A series of interconnected “outdoor rooms” increased the sense of space and exploration within the garden and provided the means to combine a relaxed and intimate seating area, lawn and a network of paths which encourage movement and exploration through the space, all within a unified whole.

The garden needed to complement the existing outdoor dining terrace which had recently undergone renovation, working as an extension of the property while creating its’ own entity. Existing materials such as the Lutyens benches and Sandstone paving were worked into the design to ensure a visual and physical continuity within the space.

For the client, a keen and proficient plantsman, soft landscaping was particularly important. The planting scheme was developed to provide year round interest with evergreen structure and perennial bursts of colour and scent. A backbone of flowering shrubs such as Vibernum tinus and Buxus sempervirens combined with wonderful structural plants full of interesting form, texture and shape, like Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ and Parottia persicaria were carefully woven together with a palette of flowering climbers, perennials, annuals and pleached trees to ensure year round interest and wonderful seasonal displays.