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, whilst integrating the new architecture of the 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: 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 for 80-100 people (marquee).
- Large pond (for wildlife, dog swimming) with bridge
- Different seating areas
- Firepit
- Water feature
- Pergola arch with climbers
Privacy Screening
The garden and house was 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 grasses to provide airy screening and movement and giving glimpses to the rest of the garden beyond and with perennials adding pops of vibrant long-season colour.
Lawned Area
The existing lawned 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; 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 and coloured stemmed dogwoods, underplanted with native woodland species providing year round structure, colour and interest.
Feature Wildlife Pond
A large, tranquil pond creates a calm, natural area at the bottom of the garden, in which to sit, relax and watch nature, with 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.
