Competition concept for garden combining natural stone and reclaimed timber landscaping materials, water and lush planting for a contemporary wildlife garden with a natural swimming pond and year-round interest
Plans & impressions
Outline plan 1:50 @ A1
Isometric drawing 1:50 @ A1
Perspective sketch
Shortlisted for the Society of Garden Designers Annual Awards 2016, for the Student Design Award / Domestic Gardens
Key features
Naturally riven local stone, jointed with a weak mix mortar (where appropriate), allows the planting to soften into the paving, self-seeding into the perimeter over time.
Hoggin paths and brick junctions give a nod to the grand historic architecture of the house; the areas closest to the building are planted in formal fashion, with topiary adding structure as well as the spirit of Victorian folly.
Timber ages gracefully to silver within the walkways and deck that frame the water. Treated reclaimed timber or Kebony offer more environmentally sustainable alternatives to tropical hardwoods.
Timber walkways, bark chip paths and stone steps weave through wilder, more naturalistic planting around the water and terraces.
Alder, sorbus and crab apple trees provide dappled shade and attractive feasts for both the human and wilder residents.
The natural swimming pond with its aquatic and marginal planting becomes an oasis in the warmer months, and a beautiful water feature all year round.
Planting scheme
Photography from my image portfolio, taken in multiple locations
Click thumbnails to view full size image gallery
The sunny patio & deep borders
Mediterranean herbs, wild roses, joe pye weed, ornamental grasses, geraniums, stonecrop and sea holly; providing structure, colour, scent and food for wildlife
The shady borders & underplanting
Shrubs for structure, scent and Winter interest; hellebores, cyclamen, Spring / Autumn bulbs and dogwoods for colour; topiary box and yew for architecture and history
Pond and bog planting
Rogersias and darmeras for lush large leaves in Summer; fine-leaved grasses and sedges for texture; bistort, lilies and bog bean for beautiful flowers and wildlife shelter