The gardens you will see below are selected from my portfolio to help give you an idea of my work. They vary in size, situation and requirements and are as individual as the clients.
Woodgreen
This project was a little different as the clients have a good deal of land a large lawn, natural pond and wildlife area they created plus fields beyond. But the garden against the house is smaller being divided by a good size stream that continues in a curve out to the fields. They were keen to create a second social seating area, improve the existing patio against the house and a section beside the stream. The key I felt when approaching this design was to help the garden feel less sectioned off whilst making a more useful space.
I used clean lines against the house and garage/office giving both buildings a stronger footprint thus improving their balance with the land. As you come through from the front of the property your views are now open to this great space. A pathway planted with feature grass Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ on one side and Yew on the other for a section begins the journey to the new patio. Feature trees, shrubs and grass Pennisetum ‘Fairy Tails’ are planted in beds the feel is strong and simple as the land beyond. A sunken area with fire-pit and beautifully curved timber bench has a sleeper back rest and is banked with the feature grass its curve leading the eye onto the wilder area beyond.
I used clean lines against the house and garage/office giving both buildings a stronger footprint thus improving their balance with the land. As you come through from the front of the property your views are now open to this great space. A pathway planted with feature grass Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ on one side and Yew on the other for a section begins the journey to the new patio. Feature trees, shrubs and grass Pennisetum ‘Fairy Tails’ are planted in beds the feel is strong and simple as the land beyond. A sunken area with fire-pit and beautifully curved timber bench has a sleeper back rest and is banked with the feature grass its curve leading the eye onto the wilder area beyond.
Redlynch
On my initial visit to this overgrown garden you could see that the previous owner had been a plant lover and the new owners were keen to keep as many plants as possible whilst also meeting their requirements. They would need areas for their children to play and good sized patios for sitting and entertaining. My clients were keen to reduce some of the work load that a garden of this size and nature requires. A deep love of roses meant it would be important for me to create a rose garden with space for a seat. Other issues to overcome with this project were that it had large rockeries with weeds enmeshed through a mixture of overgrown shrubs and perennials plus also a deep pond. A new terrace would also need to be accommodated for. As I often say it’s getting the balance and flow of a garden just right that makes it a comfortable space to enjoy and in this case more so due to the levels and angles.
My design incorporates on the lower level a circular lawn which also emphasizes the beautiful existing Betula ‘Jaquemontii’ and the woodland style planting around them. Paths of chippings wide enough to walk with a companion add a sense of movement and calm around the garden. Most of the old rockery was removed, cleared and re-laid in a more up-to-date way that links the different areas whilst also working with the new terrace. I kept the existing pergola, enlarged the upper lawn area and designed a patio with clean lines that link better with the house. Focal points lead your eye around the garden existing plants with new work in harmony.
My design incorporates on the lower level a circular lawn which also emphasizes the beautiful existing Betula ‘Jaquemontii’ and the woodland style planting around them. Paths of chippings wide enough to walk with a companion add a sense of movement and calm around the garden. Most of the old rockery was removed, cleared and re-laid in a more up-to-date way that links the different areas whilst also working with the new terrace. I kept the existing pergola, enlarged the upper lawn area and designed a patio with clean lines that link better with the house. Focal points lead your eye around the garden existing plants with new work in harmony.
Nunton
This family of eight needed to keep their good size lawn but add generous seating areas, a place for growing vegetables and not forgetting beds for roses. After understanding my clients’ requirements and seeing what the new design and layout for the interior was I thought a garden with form and softened with the planting would be the way to approach this design. I was keen not
to block the rural views beyond the garden. The front garden also needed a makeover but the photos for this area are yet to be taken.
A yew hedge and pergola, which in time a rose and jasmine will scramble over, create a dining area. The cobbled pathway between the yew hedge leads to a designated spot for the greenhouse which will come in due course. The middle section has four edged beds large enough for a collection of roses, magnolia, perennials and scented shrubs plus a seat backed by lavender. At the other end is a raised brick bed with existing tree and new planting, this wraps around another good size seating area. Tall feature grasses create a gentle screen to the vegetable garden beyond where wires for the espalier fruit trees and a gate keep the dogs out. This part of the vegetable garden has raised sleeper beds and pathways mulched in bark for ease.
to block the rural views beyond the garden. The front garden also needed a makeover but the photos for this area are yet to be taken.
A yew hedge and pergola, which in time a rose and jasmine will scramble over, create a dining area. The cobbled pathway between the yew hedge leads to a designated spot for the greenhouse which will come in due course. The middle section has four edged beds large enough for a collection of roses, magnolia, perennials and scented shrubs plus a seat backed by lavender. At the other end is a raised brick bed with existing tree and new planting, this wraps around another good size seating area. Tall feature grasses create a gentle screen to the vegetable garden beyond where wires for the espalier fruit trees and a gate keep the dogs out. This part of the vegetable garden has raised sleeper beds and pathways mulched in bark for ease.
Walled Garden in Salisbury
This south facing walled garden was a blank canvas and the owner’s requirements were for an easy to maintain space with a small lawn plus shed. It was important when designing this garden to put in a ramp so that any mobility changes in the future would be accommodated. Painting a picture with plants takes on even more importance when space is limited adding interest through the seasons whether viewed from outside or inside the home. To help balance this walled space I have used Euonymus standard lollipops along with evergreen shrubs. The classic pallet to soften and add elegance is one of white, acid green blues and pink. The feature tree Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Ruby Lace’ with its fern like leaf will create wonderful shadows with its light canopy.
Chalke Valley
I had worked for these clients before at their previous property and was pleased to be called back to design the garden for this new build in a rural area. Having this in mind I designed a garden that is centered around an up to date approach. This means that there is plenty of social space as well as having planting areas that give impact through all the seasons. As fitting to the brief the garden is not difficult to maintain and works well with the look of the property.
Newton Tony
This large garden was to be tamed by the owners themselves and it was a pleasure to create a design for them. I was keen not to lose the fabulous views of the countryside beyond but give them a balanced, easy to maintain space that was wildlife friendly and had good social areas for family and friends. I echoed the clean lines of the interior in the garden and softened them all with the choice of planting.
Back Garden in Harnham
I designed the front gardens for my clients a few years ago and now it was time to tackle the back garden. Getting the balance just right when it was a more difficult shape with levels to take into consideration was a little more difficult. At the far top of the garden is an existing summer house and from there now has a pergola over a patio, in time this pergola will be covered with scented Trachelospermum jasminoides. The planting I have used will have a more Mediterranean feel as the garden is open and dry. The chippings used as mulch will help keep moisture in aswell as reduce maintenance and show off these plants to their best. A timber seat as part of the sleeper raised bed sits under the existing holly tree, the perfect place to get a little shade on a hot day. Feature topiary, grasses and trees take the eye on a journey from side to side making the difficult shape a feature.
Front Garden in Harnham
Designing a front garden is quite tricky as it needs to look good for the majority of the year whilst also representing the owners and the look of the property. The mixture of form and movement with the grasses makes a strong design for this family.
Romsey Garden
This was a complex project especially for the landscaper as a large swimming pool had to be filled in. The long blank line of the house is now softened with timber archways and pergola. The space flows but on different levels and with sleeper edged beds filled with strong colours alongside the softness of feature grasses. The area to the side of the house has been designed as a courtyard which in time will be a lovely spot to enjoy the scent of roses and lavender.
Whaddon
This beautiful listed home was having a sympathetic overhaul and along with the house the garden needed to be addressed. Creating a look and feel that would compliment the house and the land was paramount. A curved driveway with hedging to screen the vehicles with a formal, pretty layout to the front of the property along with meandering mown and gravel paths complete the picture.
Farley
The owners of this property had acquired a large garden and with it some equally large problems; difficult levels, old building works, neglected ponds along with heavy clay soil. The awkward angles and levels have been utilized to make a good size social space with raised borders working as focal points whilst helping to grow plants that wouldn't be happy in the clay soil. I have linked the patio area with the kitchen garden and wild areas by repeat planting with particular attention to the grasses. It will be exciting to revisit this garden as it develops.
Whiteparish
Designing a garden for a couple who have a keen interest in plants and gardening was a real pleasure. The original garden was tired and lacked interest. With this design I used a curved path that wends its way from bee hives to vegetables plots taking in seating areas and focal points along the way.
Downsway Salisbury
My clients for this project had some key points they wanted included, namely a circular lawn, a raised decked area and a 'Mr Pots' shed. My job was to bring these ideas together in an effective plan. The landscaper for this project was KDC based in Salisbury. The garden has been terraced due to its steepness which also gives it great views over Salisbury.
This lovely couple wanted to have a garden that would give them an Italian feel as one of them comes from Italy. The other large consideration was that it is their main garden even though it is at the front of the property. The stained pergola not only works as a gentle screen but is also an interpretation of Italian architecture. The planting accentuates this whilst keeping maintenance low as they have a small child. A sandpit which also doubles up as a table and storage for toys was also created.
Classic Feel For A New Build in Bournemouth
This blank canvas came with a list of items the client wanted to include, my job was to enable them all to work together. The garden was flanked on all sides by a brick wall which helped to give it a formal feeling and with the use of certain materials throughout I was able to link this harmoniously with the new build.
Suburban Charm in Southampton
The clients for this garden were at loss as to where to start and were feeling homesick for their previous one. Although the site is not very big I was still able to design different areas for them. The main patio and dining area against the house with another one further down that would get the sun in the latter part of the day. Their new arbour I used as a focal point and also took into consideration that they did not want too much maintenance.