A Very Stylish Family Garden

This garden needed to be a family crowd pleaser. A place for the children to play, the adults to relax and for them all to grow their own fruit and veg.

Their home had a large sized turfed area with little character but a pretty view. The challenge was to create flow between the separate areas and provide the family with a beautiful yet functional space that showcased their fantastic view.

We started with the terrace. Linking the house to the garden this area is taking the outside in. We heavily pruned the Western Hemlock and located the seating area around this ancient feature. We sourced industrial style lighting, and a beautiful solid oak table and chairs. Around the perimeter of the house we selected galvanised troughs, planted with ornamental grasses, and fragrant herbs that rustle in the breeze and scent the terrace. We used two to house trickling water features complete with fish and lilies.

In contrast to the softness we created two long formal beds edged with Buxus, filled with perennials colour themed in shades of blue, white and purple with a paved brick path running through the middle.

We retained a large central section of the lawn and sunk rugby post retainers so George can practice his goal kick, and when he’s all done, it packs neatly away. We took a wide border along the right side of the garden and planted another formal bed. Beyond this we created a cook’s vegetable and herb garden, leading on to a wild flower orchard, finally leading to a very stylish chicken coup. These 3 areas were unified with a split Chestnut post and rail fence.

With a garden this size the owners needed a service area for their shed, tools and equipment, so we screened of a zone with Hornbeam hedging.