Site
The site had difficult conditions; it’s narrow, steep with several levels to negotiate whilst working with an existing garden villa. We were responsible for the layout plan, plans for setting out the steps, site monitoring, planting design and implementation of planting.
Brief
A complete remodel of a steep sloped garden; keeping some of the mature trees and specimen acers. No lawn, no concrete, all plants; there needed to be room for as many beds as possible to experiment with plant combinations; with year-round interest.
Response / Design
Our client loves plants and we have created spaces for six different zones, each with a different planting matrix. We worked in collaboration with Tom Trouton to create a garden which truly makes the most of all the level changes. We created retaining walls in local dry-stone, generous steps, compost bays, a rhubarb garden and green roof gardens, reusing material and using as little cement as possible. Paths are woven through the garden to the National Trust grazed fields beyond, the palette softens as we move up away from the house to the woodland edge. We intentionally used the levels to show-off the planting and stone craftmanship from every angle and level. We also wanted to keep as many Acers in the garden as possible; therefore, minimal construction needed so we could be sensitive to their roots and positions. Dry-stone sculptures and a natural waterfall tumbling down through the centre of garden into a deep pond, giving points of interest to stop and pause through the garden and to let the acers be enjoyed from all angles to take centre stage. Tom and Rosie have worked together for years on various projects, with a deep mutual respect for highly executed beautiful craftmanship. Tom and his team create landscapes deeply personal to the client, that blend so effortlessly into its natural surroundings, and we care deeply about our sustainable footprint.
