PLANTING DESIGN portfolio
Front garden planting design "Forged Wild"
Forged Wild is a garden shaped by time, resilience, and the quiet beauty of nature reclaiming its place in a once bare front garden. A post-industrial landscape where raw materials meet bold planting, it thrives in the contrast between structure and wildness.
Framed by Corten steel edging, its rich, rusted patina speaks of weathered history and transformation, echoing the marks of time and the steady return of nature.
A raised border, both structured and free flowing, holds a dynamic planting scheme, textural contrasts, warm hues, cooler blues, and self-sufficient species that soften the hard edges. The planting offers successive wave of interest as the seasons unfold and is drought tolerant once established.
Naturalistic inspired garden for a new build
The owners of this large semi-rural plot in Berkshire transformed a bungalow into a beautiful family home, complete with a new driveway and a spacious patio. Both the front and back gardens required rebuilding from the ground up, and the existing soil needed improvement due to compaction.
In the front garden, we incorporated three stunning mature olive trees donated by a family member and developed a drought-tolerant (once established) Mediterranean-inspired scheme to take full advantage of the sunny exposure. This included plants such as dwarf pines, chamomile, rosemary, lavender, roses, Achillea, echinacea, Erigeron, and ornamental grasses.
For the back garden, we created a meadow-inspired planting scheme featuring ornamental grasses, Achillea, Heleniums, and echinacea in the sunny patio area. In the shadier sections, we designed a woodland-inspired scheme with ferns, grasses, and acers.
Sanctuary garden
This large garden in Wokingham town centre was previously overrun with overgrown shrubs and had very little colour. To create a harmonious sanctuary that balances tranquility with the ability to host enjoyable family and friend gatherings, we redesigned the space to seamlessly connect the various areas and landscaped them in a soft, naturalistic style.
A new patio was constructed, providing a comfortable gathering space for family and friends, enhanced by soft planting that brings greenery closer to the house for enjoyment from within. The borders were planted with vibrant spring and summer flowering plants, including sun-loving lavender, roses, and alliums in the front part, while the back incorporated more shade-tolerant plants like rhododendrons, ferns, and fatsias, fostering a serene and inviting atmosphere.
A previously neglected shady area, was transformed into a peaceful fern garden, providing a quiet retreat. Finally, we built a vegetable patch with raised beds, allowing children to enjoy growing their own vegetables and cultivating a deeper connection to nature.
Vibrant Border walk
The owners of this house in Crowthorne had just completed a large extension and a new driveway, and they were eager to breathe new life into their front garden. They desired a low-maintenance, contemporary planting scheme that would harmonise with the modern extension and enhance the overall aesthetic of their property.
Considering the presence of a large birch tree in the middle of the front lawn, we designed a low-level border to gracefully edge the paving area leading to the front door, creating a welcoming pathway for visitors.
To achieve a dynamic and visually appealing garden, we developed a mixed perennial herbaceous and evergreen planting scheme that offers long-season interest. The plant selection includes ferns, pinus mugo, and euonymus to provide an evergreen backbone for winter; ornamental grasses that add texture and movement; vibrant roses, echinacea, asters, and geraniums; and fragrant herbs such as lavender and rosemary.