Borrowing from The Downs
Keeping formality near the house, the planting gradually becomes more natural as it meets The Downs.
The Brief
Claudia and Andrew have a stunning house and garden in Poynings that looks straight out on to the South Downs. There was very little height or interest in their garden and when the kitchen was extended and bi-fold doors added, this had further highlighted the bland vista.
Claudia was pregnant when I started designing and we planted the last plant just two days before their daughter was born. The brief was simply to offer child-, dog- and wildlife-friendly planting.
The Result
Sectioning the garden with native beech hedge, we created a planting plan that would transition from quite formal, surrounding the house, to become more naturalistic as it led away towards the Downs.
Native planting was combined with long flowering, high-pollen perennials that the local insects and birds would enjoy feasting on.
A lot of people with long, thin gardens feel quite frightened about sectioning them. In my opinion it is the only way to utilise the space and create areas of intrigue. Be brave, you won’t regret it!
“Heidi's endless energy matched mine which was quite something considering the well known pre-birth mania that sets in! It was an absolute pleasure to have her and team around during the project.
“This is a beautiful garden with lots of interest and at the same time is a space that is easy to maintain.
“It is nine months on and I am so happy with the garden and looking forward to seeing it in spring for the first time.”
— Claudia