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Rural Gardens

Rural gardens can be large and often form the grounds of period homes. They may also belong to a country cottage or a listed building.

Larger gardens provide an opportunity to explore how to divide the grounds into separate rooms. These may include formal gardens, utility and storage areas, vegetable plots,  and wild areas. Additionally, there may be substantial leisure facilities such as swimming pools and tennis courts.

Without delineation, large gardens can feel exposed with expansive areas of lawn and scrubby boundaries. These gardens are difficult to maintain and never reach their full potential.

Rural country properties often have views of the surrounding landscape and so need to sit comfortably within in this rural setting. Good design ensures that the boundaries of the garden blur with the surrounding countryside. Furthermore, the design can use borrowed views and echo the shapes of fields and woodlands beyond the garden.

Period property gardens should be sympathetic to the style of the building which may require research into the history of the site. This doesn’t mean an Arts & Crafts house can’t have a modern contemporary garden, but it will require considerate design to blend the two styles.

Large sites can have several different micro climates and soil profiles, providing the opportunity for different planting themes. For example, specific areas can have seasonal interest such as ‘Snowdrop Walk’, Spring Garden, Hot Tropical Border etc. Walking through a large garden requires plenty of rest points and routes to lead you through the space.

Large projects can take several years to complete and will evolve over time. An overall design at the beginning of the project can help steer the phases of the works and keep control of the budget.