Richmond-upon-Thames

Forming part of the Grade I-listed Richmond Palace, the brief for this large front garden was to create a knot garden in keeping with the Elizabethan property. This involved working closely with English Heritage and the Crown Estate.

The design incorporates a strong axis from the centre of the house using Buxus parterres with lavender and Salvia and half standard Prunus lucitanica at head height. Centrally positioned within the parterre is a milled sandstone reflection pond in the shape of an inverted quadrafoil, allowing flow of movement through the paths. Along the boundaries, Taxus baccata hedging and pleached full standard Carpinus betula bring a linear structure. The central path leads to an upper level with a hardwood bench and herbaceous, fragrant planting. Eggcup-shaped lead planters continue the formal theme along the front of the house with oval Buxus topiary forms and clipped-head Quercus ilex full standard trees.

A small paved courtyard to the rear of the property continues the theme, with clipped Trachelospermum jasminoides injecting interest with its diagonal lattice pattern.

See Galleries

Buxus; Carpinus betula; Herbaceous border; Lighting; Planters; Quercus ilex; Reclaimed York stone; Trachelospermum jasminoides; Trees; Water feature