Problems or opportunities?

This garden in Smallridge needed a makeover which could cope with the rampant deer and rabbit population, but which also addressed the surface water drainage problems, particularly apparent during wet winters. The clients wanted an attractive frontage and a clean and dry navigation from car to the front door.Rather than trying to bridge the low points, we wanted to work with the existing land forms to take run-off away from the house into a bog garden. Drainage channels were installed along the low point to assist the water flow and direct it into appropriate area, while the new gravel and sleeper paths on top now drain freely during heavy weather to provide a clean and dry walkway from car to house.The planting was chosen for it’s robustness against grazing animals, and carefully selected and positioned to cope with the variations in ground conditions between winter and summer. The design also incorporated more cottage-style planting near the house (in keeping with the house style) that would blended seamlessly with a more contemporary style in the wider garden.

Santolina chamaecyparissus, Nepeta ‘Six hills Giant’, Thymus ‘Silver Posie’. Phormium ‘Red Sensation’ and Euphorbia characias ‘Wulfenii’ are amongst the plants that I rate to defy the grazers….New lighting was installed to help in the dark, which gives the property a cosy and welcoming feel on dark winter nights.