Formal Modern Garden, Kingsdown, Kent, UK
Formal modern garden with a cottage garden twist with a large entertaining space
Formal modern garden with a cottage garden twist was the brief. This large garden provides a haven for wildlife, in particular birds, frogs, toads, dragonflies and bees. An awkward mound right outside the house becomes a large entertaining space with granite setts and decking and large raised beds. Steps and a ramp lead down to two circular lawns with anti-slip pathways in a figure of eight. The crisp edges of the circles give a formal modern garden look to the lawns. At the far end of the garden is a pond and small brook crossed by a small bridge to decking and a summerhouse – the perfect spot to sit back and view the entire garden. The summerhouse also leads the client through the garden so that every space is used. To the side of the property there is a ‘productive’ garden with raised beds growing vegetables and soft fruit, a greenhouse and an orchard of apple, pear and plum trees. An odd-shaped space close to the house is used as a small walled garden with a raised bed herb garden in the shape of the letter ‘E’. Viewed from the living room window this space gets the sun for the whole day and when sitting in it, the scent from the herbs fill the space reminding the client of holidays to Italy, France and Greece.