Naturalistic garden for a working farm in Somerset, on the edge of a river. The garden was designed to help hold the bank, alleviate flooding, and blend with the wild native riverbank plants without being overwhelmed by them

Gravel Garden

Designed and planted by Hawkmoth Garden Design.
Landscaping by West Hill Garden & Landscaping Services, including design and build of deck.
Planted July 2022; photos taken August 2023

Concept

Outline plan

This section of the garden between a barn and the River Chew had long been left wild because of the challenges of encroaching riverbank plants and occasional flooding.

The design proposed formal circular lawns (one laid to chamomile and low-growing wildflowers, two overlapping laid to turf) to contrast naturalistic planting through gravel. The gravel helps suppress invasive plants such as bindweed and docks, brings light into the space, and allows the planting to spread and naturalise. Self seeders will establish over time; unwanted ones are easy to remove.

​13 new trees, evergreen shrubs and the new network of perennials help take up excess moisture from an underground stream. Ornamental grasses run along the top of the bank to help stabilise it without obscuring the view across the river. 

Before & After

Before clearance January 2022; one year after planting August 2023