The clients’ love of contemporary architecture was the inspiration for this design. What was previously an overgrown garden with mature shrubs crowding out the back of the house and leaving no space for the clients to sit outside, has been opened out and now gives a sense of movement as well as creating areas of intrigue.

The sandstone used for the patio by the house is continued into the garden – its staggered pattern allowing planting to spill over and around two additional seating areas, one at centre screened on one side by a beautiful multi-stem Amelanchier lamarckii, the other in a shaded area next to a delicate Acer palmatum.

Grasses such Calamgrostis, Deschampsia, Anemanthele and Luzula provide texture and contemporaneity, and are complemented by structural Cornus, Prunus ‘Otto Luyken’ and Sarcococca, and large-leaved Hydrangea quercifolia.