A complete make-over for this typical new-build garden, it was a sloping space laid to lawn with stark fences on three sides. The garden felt overlooked by neighbours on one side but had lovely views to the other. The owners wanted a sophisticated space for entertaining with plenty of space for plants. 

A stone retaining wall was built to create level terraces within the garden. The boundaries were carefully considered, with specimen trees and pleached trees in raised beds to provide screening, yet preserve the open view. Fences were painted a dark colour to soften then and enhance the planting.  

We incorporated some lovely features including a Jeremy Hastings Cornish slate water feature, chunky timber pergola and some beautiful specimen cherries Prunus serrula. The hard landscaping was selected to echo the red brick house, with generous paving areas and paths of stone-coloured porcelain with brick paver feature areas. 

The planting scheme was co-designed with fellow local designer Victoria Bailey. It features strong repetition of planting types such as red-stemmed Cornus for winter colour and lush Hakonechola macra to give a harmonious, year-round effect.