Wildlife Cottage Garden, Nackington, Kent, UK
Wildlife cottage garden for a family home set in 5 acres of grounds with English cottage-style planting
Wildlife cottage garden for a stunning old rectory with 5 acres of grounds and an established 1 acre garden. The garden is a little tired and the Design Brief is clear – to create a family garden with abundant cottage-style planting that unites the entire garden through carefully selected planting and a design that is in keeping with the beautiful old building, out buildings and surroundings, but brought up-to-date for a busy family. Large existing features, such as the swimming pool and tennis court need to feel part of the garden. To the front is a large sweeping drive, where a large amount of tree work is undertaken. Old red-brick edging is lifted, cleaned and re-set so that mowing becomes easier. To the side of the main house is a boot room and an entrance way set in a small garden. The design creates low hedge edged borders with colourful planting, while creating views from one of the sitting rooms’ windows. On the opposite side at the front is a lawn and as this space is seen from the parents’ bedroom window the design transforms a green space in to a colourful garden for reading with the children. Around the swimming pool is a large mound of soil, which is re-sculpted to blend into the landscape, revealing more views across the orchard and large pasture. Rabbits are everywhere in this garden so rabbit-proof fencing is installed around the 1 acre garden.
Colour, scent, herbaceous perennials, bulbs for naturalising, shrubs and trees create a haven for wildlife and a garden to be enjoyed by the entire family.