The challenge was to turn the garden into an inviting and useable space which would compliment the contemporary house and allow it to sit comfortably within the traditional boundary walls.

Levelling of the lawns, terracing of the slope, new steps, circular sandstone patios and new gently curved flowerbeds with carefully chosen planting have transformed the space. The installation of a subtly painted BBQ house allows year round entertaining in the garden and is positioned to catch maximum amounts of sun during the summer as well as affording peaceful views across the now elegant garden.

An existing silver birch inspired a serene white border surrounding a secluded patio with steamer chairs for reading and relaxation. Planting includes white alliums and peonies, white day lilies, Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’, foxgloves and the white climbing rose ‘Iceberg’.

Most of the garden is planted in a palette of pinks, blues and purples. A total of 2000 bulbs have been used to ‘extend the season of interest’ – a garden without bulbs is like a room without cushions! In a corner away from the main garden, adjacent to the front gates is a border with ‘hot’ coloured planting. Reds and oranges, provided by giant Fritallaria, bright yellow and orange daffodils, orange tulips, crocosmia, geums and rudbekia and on the wall behind the honey suckle ‘Dropmore Scarlet’ with flowers in radiant orange and a bright yellow and green ivy.