Garden Design Portfolio
A biodiverse family garden
A project close to our heart, commissioned with biodiversity and sustainability front and centre by a nature orientated family. Nestled between the Thames river, surrounding hills and Reading town centre, this unique and secluded space offers 1300 m2 which we have redesigned into a sanctuary, for people and wildlife, perfect for lively gatherings and quiet contemplation alike.
Beyond a shady grove, the garden opens to dramatic views of naturalistic, biodiverse and resilient planting hosting diverse well being spaces and habitats. Among them, a garden room offers sweeping views over an orchard planted in a perennial meadow, a vegetable growing area, a pool and sauna space and a secluded fire circle to share stories under the stars.
The planting is immersive, naturalistic, layered, includes a large proportion of native spaces and is supported by a rain garden which responds to the ever-evolving rhythm of nature. Provisions has been made for wildlife, including water bowls, wood piles, perennial meadow, native hedging, dead hedges and minimal hard landscaping.
A contemporary outdoor living space
We are currently working on an exciting new garden design project to help the owners of this delightful home envision their garden into a contemporary outdoor space and connect entertaining and well being spaces into a coherent design. Project soon to be built.
Nestled between heathlands, whispering woods and south coast in Hampshire, this secluded and semi formal contemporary garden is a sanctuary, perfect for lively gatherings and quiet contemplation alike.
A space able to hold together the seemingly opposites, guiding you through sun-dappled glades to spaces designed for relaxation or social connection, and hidden nooks where time slows, and the breeze carries the fragrance of scented plants and pine.
A patio with sweeping views of the garden becomes a stage for shared laughter, while the wellness retreat below, tucked among flowering shrubs and lush greenery, offers a haven for stillness and reflection, accompanied by the soothing sound of water. The main lawn, framed by striking architectural planting, invites playful moments and outdoor games. Here, nature and clean lines intertwine to create a retreat that is both vibrant and serene, a place to celebrate, to wander, and to simply be, at any age.
An outdoor entertainment space
This new concept was developed to reflect the beautiful character and stature of this contemporary family home, providing the owners with a vision for maximising their currently underutilised outdoor space. Creating harmony between the house and garden was a guiding principle throughout the concept development.
A welcoming, lightly partitioned patio space was designed to include a cozy seating nook nestled among lush plants for a morning coffee, a larger space for social gatherings, and a relaxing area with an integrated jacuzzi. Traditional materials such as limestone, brick, and natural timber were chosen to match the house interior and add warmth and interest, while varied elevations break up the space effectively.
Ornamental trees frame the different areas, providing both visual anchors and seasonal interest. The planting includes evergreen species for all year around structure and interest, interspersed with vibrant perennials that provide long-lasting colour with successive blooms in spring and summer. Soft ornamental grasses add movement, and the autumnal hues of copper bark complement the blond tones of the grasses as they mature.
A 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.
Planting Design Portfolio
A long border "Forged Wild"
Designed for a couple looking to bring interest and biodiversity into a once bare front garden, Forged Wild is a long border shaped by time, resilience, and the quiet beauty of nature reclaiming its place in a post-industrial landscape where raw materials meet bold planting.
Framed by Corten steel edging, it thrives in the contrast between structure and wildness with rich, rusted patina speaking 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, anchored by multi-stem trees and offering textural contrasts, warm hues, cooler blues, and self-sufficient species that soften the hard edges.
The border frames the entrance to the property's front drive with a planting that offers successive waves of interest as the seasons unfold and is drought tolerant once established.
A serene scented garden
This garden was conceived as a tranquil haven, offering a peaceful, immersive retreat for a couple who want to enjoy their outdoor space in their retirement. Beyond the existing patio, the space was redesigned throughout using a plant led approach. Rooted in zen principles and softened by romantic planting, it weaves structure and serenity with scent and seasonal beauty.
Nestled within lush planting, a wooden bench invites quiet reflection. Nearby, the soft murmur of water flowing over smooth pebbles introduces a calming rhythm, enriching the garden’s meditative atmosphere. Anchoring the surrounding borders, graceful Japanese cherry blossom trees create a living backdrop. In spring bloom, they mark a moment of renewal, through the rest of the year, they are quietly architectural.
The planting palette strikes a balance between form and flourish: evergreen shapes bring structure and grounding, while drifts of pink, purple, and white scented flowers, lavender, climbing jasmine, verbena, peonies, and roses add romance, texture, and a sense of timeless beauty through the seasons.
A Mediterranean inspired front garden
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, providing an opportunity to connect high end contemporary lines with neighbouring heathlands, woodlands and meadows to create a harmonious outdoor space.
In the front garden, we incorporated three stunning mature olive trees donated by a family member and planted 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 designed to soften the large raised patio with a scheme featuring ornamental grasses, Achillea, Heleniums, and Echinacea. In the shadier sections, we designed a woodland-inspired scheme featuring ferns, grasses, and acers.
A 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.