This space comprised a large expanse of lawn enclosed on two sides by post and rail fencing with a grass field beyond, which the clients also owned. Down one side there was an attractive tall brick wall with a herbaceous border, leading to a bothy and patio in one of the far corners. The brick wall extended around the corner to the end of the patio, but then stopped abruptly giving an unfinished feel. The garden and surrounding fields are flat, meaning it is open to the elements and can become quite breezy. To counter this, and some traffic noise, the clients had planted a large number of trees in the field behind the patio. They wanted to bring more interest to the garden and introduce some shelter without losing the view of Bunbury in the distance.
We added more planting beds into the lawn, using sinuous lines to soften the garden’s shape. Planting in the beds near the wall was similar to the existing herbaceous border, whilst near the patio we chose trees and grasses to lead the eye fluidly into the field behind and provide shelter for the patio area. Cultivated versions of the trees in the woods, such as ornamental maples and hornbeams, were planted on the field side of the fence to transition into the woodlands. A low hedge in front of the post and rail fence will slope up to the level of the wall, making a smoother line where the wall ends. By the driveway entrance under the yew tree we planted Cyclamen hederifolium and Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’ which flourish in dry shade. Lonicera x purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’ brightens winter days with its lovely white fragrant flowers.
One of our clients, a keen gardener and florist, is thoroughly enjoying tending the plants and choosing flowers for her floristry, and loves how the garden delivers varied interest from January throughout the year. Both are thrilled with the increased number of bees and butterflies and the way the garden blends seamlessly into the landscape beyond.
