Brief
This whole garden transformation was a fantastic project. We worked alongside renowned Garden Designer Andy Dean (Regular Project Manager on BBC’S Garden Rescue). Initially the garden was a large 2.5 acre grassed plot and the clients wanted a garden to be proud of. We added both hard and soft landscaping, to create several distinct areas of interest.
Main tasks
We built several large raised beds using Blue Lias stone, reclaimed weighty sleepers and flagstones. These showcase perennials, shrubs and mature trees including Pomegranate and Olive. We built a flagstone patio surrounded by sleeper and stone raised beds and stone steps. This takes you from the upper to the lower patio. It is here you then notice the water feature also in direct view of the inside dining area. This area is stunningly tranquil and gives you a sense of the Mediterranean with gnarly olive trees nearby, the gentle sounding of flowing water and the soft scent of the climbing Jasmines.
When the newly installed Light Symphony outdoor lighting comes on at night, coupled with soft sounds of the water, you are taken away from the nearby bleating sheep and cows and whisked to the south of France.
Next on the plans was a semi-drystone Blue Lias retaining wall. This makes the immediate garden space more intimate, separating it from the vastness of the rest of their land. Though this wall is retaining tonnes of soil, the stone appears to be lightly placed on top of each other, cleverly designed to incorporate a lot of weight retention through the use of good drainage and blockwork.
We built new paddock fencing to keep out the Emus (a first for us). This was a challenge with the occasional pecking. We also built a large decked area which curves beautifully to provide added interest and functionality. The deck incorporates a plunge pool and shower and borders beds and a grass path.
Planting
We sourced mature trees to give the garden a more established look and worked with a nursery to create a fabulous planting scheme. We also laid a huge area of wildflower seed to create a fabulous wildflower garden.
This was a huge project, involving orders of over 120 tonnes of topsoil, digging out 150m2 of turf, providing numerous areas of lighting and involved our Project Manager: Jude Eastick, Designer: Andy Dean, our full time landscaper, work experience student and several trusted sub contracted landscapers, an electrician and a plumber. Unfortunately, this project was cut short due to the first Covid lockdown – watch this space for photographic updates as the gardens mature.