The brief for this garden design was to work with the existing builders and design the layout for the garden. The house was undergoing an extension creating considerable building work. The house is situated in the town but the garden extends down to beautiful woodlands managed by the neighbourhood committee. The client had chosen a contemporary design for the extension with glass doors opening onto a generous deck area providing an outside room for entertaining. Being a keen gardener and cook the client requested areas of perennials and an area for growing some vegetables. An outdoor fire pit and a space for teenagers to sit with friends was also a priority.
The garden dramatically slopes from deck to the far woodland end very considerably and therefore the design this level change into account. Three levels to the garden were created, all being linked by pathways and flights of steps. To connect the urban atmosphere to the woodland setting the planting was designed to become more informal as you descended the levels. Certain plant species were repeated throughout the garden to provide continuity and repetition. Appropriate species found in the woods such including Camellias, Carex and Ferns were incorporated into the plant design to help connect the garden to the woodland with more woodland plants being used in the lowest level.
The first level incorporates mixed borders surrounding a paved seating area positioned to catch the evening sun. Hedging creates structure and with a gentle planting palette the space is intimate and relaxing. A flight of stone steps leads down to a circular lawn enclosed with more informal planting and repeated hedges.
Raised beds for vegetables on the lower level provide generous space for growing kitchen produce. A fire pit and surrounding seating were also constructed. The close proximity to the woods creates a very natural atmosphere which is enhanced by the planting incorporation of birches, cornus, ferns and spreading ground cover to emulate the wood floor.
