Enclosed, dappled garden to engage with nature
For this garden our client wanted to change a completely blank canvas into a space to relax in in dappled shade whilst engaging with nature and encouraging lots of wildlife into the garden. A key element was for there to be a juxtaposition of clean lines with softer, naturalistic elements including planting. A hint of Scandinavian styling was also requested with the inclusion of greys and whites. Pops of colour, textural foliage and lots of pollinator friendly plants were also top of the agenda.
For this design we wanted to immerse our client in nature and fill the space full of life. We created a central seating area that was set further into the garden, allowing planting beds immediately outside the french doors to enjoy whilst inside and at the same time enwrapping you in plants whilst sitting outdoors. We also included a morning bench seating area to appreciate the garden from a different angle, nestled within the planting itself and reachable by stepping stones. A small section of lawn was also kept for our client’s dog to use and to add a contemporary edge. Stepping stones across the lawn to the shed and those to the morning seating area provided multiple routes to create a sense of journey through the space. Self-binding gravel, light grey pavers and dark grey paint for the fencing and shed all helped to bring a hint of Scandinavia whilst also allowing the plants to be the star of the show.
With bringing wildlife into the garden being one of the key aspects of the brief, a wildlife friendly container pond was introduced alongside, log piles, nesting boxes for birds, a hedgehog house and hedgehog highways cut into the existing fence. Planting was chosen for its ability to provide habitats and food sources for a variety of wildlife, with numerous multi-stemmed trees and larger shrubs introduced to immediately bring birds into the garden and to provide that all important dappled shade. Perennials were also selected for their winter seedheads as an additional food source.
As our client lives in Cullercoats, plants were selected for their suitability for a coastal environment. The colour palette focused on creating contrasting pops of colour in purples and yellows, intermingled with blues and pinks. Whites are also used to brighten darker corners and to appreciate during the lower light levels of dusk and dawn. Sensory plants and pollinator favourites were included in abundance, creating beautiful scents during the warmer months as well as providing produce to pick.
Project stage: completed
