Before
My client had moved to this new build home on the outskirts of the village of Hernhill in Kent. It’s a good size garden with views looking out onto the fruit trees behind. As with all newbuilds there was a small patio and the rest of the garden was mainly laid to lawn. My client is a keen gardener and had many plants that were waiting in the wings in pots. This was also a very personal garden. The backdrop of this garden was partly a memorial to my clients sister. We wanted to make sure plants that belonged to the sister or had her name in were included into the garden.
Design
My design was very gentle, to not block out the view to the back, but to instead frame it. Grasses and soft planting were designed in, to eventually blur the boundary to the field, so that the spaces felt linked. The patio was extended to provide an additional seating area in front of the house. The patio size in front of the patio doors was left as the client felt that, in time, she may want to extend the property here. A circular patio was added in the spot that gets the last of the evening sun and where there are amazing views of the sunset. We decided to put a Gazebo here for some shelter and there is room to sit front too. Climbers with white flowers and scent where specified in to eventually soften the fences and the Gazebo.
After
The landscaping was completed in September and already the planting is starting to look at home. The client decided she was happy to change the whole patio and the grey sandstone, with dark setts, really help show off the curves. Like all new build homes the soil was lacking and there was very little insect life in the garden. I’m happy to report that bees, butterflies and other pollinators are now loving the garden. The homeowner now has a garden that she is very proud of, can happily entertain in and can enjoy the planting and wildlife.