A redesign of an established but overgrown garden to complement the clients’ new kitchen extension. By the house is a sandstone-paved patio, an airy and spacious area, adjoining by a retaining wall/raised bed with lush planting and a feature Amelanchier lamarckii multi-stem. Beyond this green vista is a central area for dining, also in sandstone.

Staggered paving joins these two spaces, itself interplanted with creeping thyme and geraniums for fragrance and colour. Much of the existing planting – a mimosa, apple and plum trees and Mahonia – were retained and new specimens carefully chosen to complement it.

Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’ was introduced for repetition and visual cohesion, and to provide a cascade of yellow flowers at the same time as the existing Mahonia and the mimosa. Multiple ferns were included in this shady garden, and grasses added for a contemporary feel and movement.