Our client asked for a contemporary, nature-inspired garden, with a large pond for wildlife and dog swimming. The remit included a relaxed and natural space, incorporating different seating areas. It was important that the new garden design integrated the architecture of the new-build house with the surrounding rural landscape.
The Brief – Naturalistic Garden Design
Situation: New build. Rural rear garden, adjoining agricultural fields.
Area: approx. 1,200 SqM
Aspect: South facing.
Environmental conditions: Exposed/windy; Gradient approx. East to West. Some water-logging noted (adjacent to patio and to lower garden area).
Garden uses/users: Family including children and pets. A garden to sit and relax/spend down time in. Also to accommodate a functional entertaining area.
- Large pond (for wildlife, dog swimming) with bridge
- Different seating areas
- Firepit
- Water feature
- Pergola arch with climbers
- Large, hard standing area for marquee
Privacy Screening
The garden and house were very overlooked along one of the boundaries. Options for improving privacy included a formal line of pleached trees to create a living screen, or alternatively a less formal option of repeating single stemmed trees of one variety. Both options were designed to complement the clean, geometric lines of the house and make use of the minimal planting space in this part of the garden, which also required to be used for vehicular access.
Naturalistic Garden Design
Patio Transition
The large patio area was an empty space which jarred visually with the garden and the views beyond. The aim was for this area to function as a transition from the house into the garden, with large, contemporary, rectangular planters and a water table complementing the geometry and echoing the architectural colour scheme of the house. These were planted with ornamental grasses to provide airy screening and movement and giving glimpses to the rest of the garden beyond, with low maintenance perennials adding pops of vibrant, long-season colour.
Lawned Area
The existing large grassed area, which the clients wished to retain, lacked interest and was essentially a large featureless rectangle. Design features we suggested included a curved stepping stone path and contemporary pergola to break up and delineate the large space; the option of a striking, yet simple moon gate; grass mound sculpture reusing the pond excavation material, cutting down waste; and locally sourced feature boulders to be used as sculptural elements, natural bird baths and natural seating areas.
Naturalistic Garden Design
Bold Planting
Bold, naturalistic planting in drifts complements both the rural aspect and scale of the garden and includes stands of white-barked birch trees, Tibetan cherry and coloured stemmed dogwoods, underplanted with native species perennials and bulbs to provide year round structure, colour and interest. The stems of the tree varieties and dogwoods are particularly vibrant during the winter months.
Feature Wildlife Pond
A large, natural pond creates a calm area at the bottom of the garden in which to sit, relax and watch nature, with native species planting designed to encourage and support wildlife, while seamlessly blending into the landscape. A decked viewing platform, and a seating area with firepit are also incorporated into the design.
Supply of Planters and Patio Water Feature
The client asked us to source and supply the planters and water feature suggested in our design.
We work with a number of UK based trade only wholesalers to provide a high quality range, with an excellent selection of finishes and styles to suit our designs and your taste.
