Sussex

This Grade II-listed Georgian farmhouse sits within the South Downs National Park. The south-facing garden, three times as wide as it is deep, was overwhelmed by conifers and the brief was to reinstate the spectacular views, rebuild the flint and brick boundary walls and create a cottage garden planting scheme.

The planting border needed to be shallow. By creating a long, meandering shape it helps increase the perceptible depth of the space. The soft form of the large antique terracotta wine amphora, sourced from Spain, nestles amongst the planting and throws the eye upwards, breaking the line of planting and flint wall. The gate, with its views into adjoining meadows, leads the eye to the land beyond, and was commissioned to replicate a salvaged gate sourced for the front garden.

At the front of the property, overgrown conifers were removed, immediately opening up the space to allow light to spill into the house. There are three levels to this area. The first absorbs the retained raised beds and trees and is loosely planted. The second introduces a sense of formality with the use of half standard bay trees and lavender and leads you to the third level, planted simply with Buxus and where two Anduze vases frame the entrance.

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Buxus; Dry stone walls; Herbaceous border; Ironmongery; Planters; Paving; Quercus ilex; Reclaimed salvo; Sculpture