Revisited Family Garden, Canterbury, Kent

Revisited and slight redesign for a modern family garden with an English garden twist

This garden was designed several years ago and the children have now grown up. This revisited family garden has an area close to the house, under a large magnolia tree that was used for a swing and the ground below has been worn away. Using natural, organic materials such as large boulders from local quarries, flowering shrubs that cope with dry soil conditions, groundcover plants and architectural shrubs a new area is created. The addition of a hot tub in this area also requires screening to some degree, so a modern slatted cantilever structure has been added festooned with evergreen climbers. Additional pleached hornbeam trees are added to complete the sense of privacy. This is still a modern family garden with an English garden twist, which is low-maintenance, with seasonal appeal throughout the year, but the additional planting, rock features and climbers will create a harmonious effect with the rest of the garden. The modern office sits at the far end of the garden with a large entertaining space outside and to the side, to catch the evening sun – the perfect spot for a fire pit. Roses and jasmine fill the garden with scent. The sizeable, flat lawn is maintained . Soft, harmonious colours are used for the planting, such as greys, blues and lavenders for a stylish modern effect. A selection of mixed planting to give year round interest. The feature bed of ornamental grasses which creates movement and noise links to the new organic shady area under the magnolia. It shows that gardens do change, and this revisited family garden also reveals the importance of keeping an excellent working relationship with clients even after a garden has been completed.

For more residential garden please click here