A Hertfordshire family home garden

"This large country garden in Hertfordshire needed a design that would create elements of interest and surprise throughout – one leading to the other.

Surrounded by beautiful countryside, the boundaries lent themselves to a natural living willow screen that simply melts into the landscape"

The brief

This design for two busy professionals transformed a large blank canvas into something quite special. Before, there was just a handful of trees and an expanse of lawn.

The project was driven by the need to landscape around the new swimming pool and link the house to the pool and beyond, providing a place to relax away from the house and the children!

The garden design

The approach

The garden design approach was to create elements of interest and surprise throughout the garden – one leading to the other.

A grassy, multi-tiered landform now acts as a focal point – resembling an inverted amphitheatre edged with natural sandstone from where the owners can sit and view the garden.

A sunken retreat was positioned opposite to enjoy a panoramic view of the architectural new landform we created.

The garden construction materials

Near the house cedar decking complements the natural slate terrace and surrounds the existing swimming pool – natural materials, soft underfoot and soft to the eye. From the deck a string of arches draped in climbers lines a curved path leading to the sunken retreat – an intimate area of rainbow sandstone complete with firepit and retained with raised brick planters and aluminium edging.

Surrounded by beautiful countryside, the boundaries lent themselves to a natural living willow screen structure that simply melts into the landscape. In the shadier area, non-living willow fencing continues to mark the boundary.

The garden planting

Low maintenance planting was a requirement and a planting scheme of decorative grasses, shrubs and easy perennials was designed. Creating mound forms under trees added new levels to the flat garden and provided a better platform to view the planting.

Specimen trees were carefully selected such as weeping willow and silver birch and an orchard area was created behind the sunken retreat to enjoy a collection of cherry, plum and apple trees.

The result

An integrated garden design that unifies the space and provides a unique retreat from the stresses of everyday life.

A Garden for Hertfordshire's landscape