The brief for this garden was to merge two former cottage gardens into one with different spaces for the family to entertain, grow food, play games and finish off the day watching the sun go down, then gazing up at the stars gathered around a fire pit.

Through a key hole entrance in a large yew hedge central to the garden sits a wonderful Apothecary’s Garden which was created 20 years ago.  It was enclosed with overgrown hedges and in much need of renovating.  This is the area where the best sunset views can be enjoyed, so by creating a new terrace, planting new herbs and medicinal plants, my clients can now pick their own botanical sprig to pop in their favourite tipple as the sun goes down over soft planting that merges with a meadow area beyond.

New life was brought to the over grown native hedges around The Apothecary’s Garden by a local hedger who expertly laid the hedges and sculpted new living arches to create walkways through to the kitchen garden and main lawn.  The laid hedge provides a wonderful habitat for birds.

Wildlife is also close to hand in the new kitchen garden which is surrounded by Purple Haze, Pictorial Meadow attracting pollinators to the produce growing in the raised oak beds.  The meadow then laps up to the new contemporary cottage planting by the pergola seating area.

Red brick paths softly edged with fragrant planting lead to a York stone terrace beneath a sculptural Magnolia tree for entertaining friends and family around a wonderful large oak table with views through the key hole in the yew hedge to the a Falling Leaf sculpture by Steel Sculptures at the end of the Apothecary’s Garden.

Another brick path leads to a separate terrace for the teenagers/young adults with easy access to the table tennis area, main lawn and fire pit area…. not a bad place to hang out all in all!

This garden featured in Gardens Illustrated, July 2023

Photos copyright Richard Bloom & Joanna Cossack