Case Study: The Wealden Garden Transformation
Client Brief:
Our client in Wealden, East Sussex, approached us with a blank canvas—a large plot of land that had been largely left untouched after construction. The area had been covered with a vast expanse of grass and paved surfaces, creating a lackluster outdoor space. The client wanted a beautifully landscaped garden that could evolve over time, becoming a thriving and vibrant environment for their family to enjoy. With this in mind, we embarked on a year-long project to transform the space.
Design and Planning:
The initial layout of the garden had little to offer in terms of aesthetics or functionality. It consisted mainly of grass and paving that lacked character and harmony. Our task was to redesign the entire garden, creating distinct zones while maintaining a flow between them.
The design focused on three key areas:
Hard Landscaping: We began by reshaping the garden’s layout with new patios, pathways, and structural features. We carefully designed a beautiful patio area and well-positioned pathways leading to various garden zones, including a summer house at the far end of the plot.
Soft Landscaping: We introduced a mix of wild meadow areas, herbaceous borders, and lush shrub planting to encourage biodiversity and provide seasonal interest. This softer side of the garden was designed to evolve over time, allowing plants to grow and mature naturally, creating a dynamic and ever-changing landscape.
Special Features: To make the space truly unique, we included a children’s play area, a pergola, and a greenhouse to meet the family’s needs and interests. The greenhouse not only added a practical element but also brought in a vintage charm, complementing the surrounding planting scheme.
The Planting Approach for The Wealden Garden:
One of the standout features of this project was our planting philosophy. Rather than opting for fully mature plants, which would have been more expensive and less sustainable, we decided to plant young shrubs and plants. This approach is not only cost-effective for our clients but often leads to healthier and more successful plant growth over time. It also allows the garden to grow and evolve at its own pace, resulting in a more natural aesthetic. The plants were carefully selected for their suitability to the local climate and soil conditions, ensuring they thrive in the long term.
The Build Process:
The project spanned over the course of about a year. This extended timeline allowed for careful planning, as well as sufficient time for the plants to establish themselves. We ensured that the build process was carried out in phases, allowing each part of the garden to develop with minimal disruption to the overall landscape.
The hard landscaping phase involved installing the patio, pathways, and structural elements, while the soft landscaping followed, focusing on planting and growing the meadow and borders. We also constructed the children’s play area and pergola, ensuring safety and aesthetics were equally prioritized.
Throughout the year, we worked closely with the client, keeping them informed of progress and making adjustments as needed to ensure the design matched their vision.
Outcome of The Wealden Garden:
Today, the garden in Wealden is a thriving, multi-functional space that offers something for everyone. The hard landscaping—patios, pathways, and the summer house—has transformed the space into a functional and stylish outdoor living area. Meanwhile, the wild meadow areas and herbaceous borders are teeming with life, adding texture, colour, and seasonal variation to the garden.
The children’s play area is a favourite for the family, and the pergola offers a peaceful spot for relaxation. The greenhouse serves as both a practical and charming feature, allowing the family to grow their own produce and flowers.
Overall, the garden has transformed into a low-maintenance, sustainable space that evolves and grows year after year. It’s a perfect example of how a thoughtful, long-term approach to design and planting can create a stunning outdoor space that stands the test of time.
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