Because of the nature of the garden, we agreed very quickly that the woodland feel would have to remain otherwise it just wouldn’t sit comfortably in the landscape.  Michael and Valerie wanted a master plan that would enable them to work with a local contractor to construct a new terrace and the areas around the house immediately and then continue with the changes themselves over the next few years.

We established that the best way forward was to produce a concept design for the whole garden and then a full set of drawings and specifications for the areas around the house that would be constructed by a landscaper.

Michael and Valerie were keen to carry out the planting phase of the project themselves, but did want some advice regarding the type of plants that would grow in the challenging spots under the beech trees and for the more formal areas around the new terrace.

I was also asked to incorporate a new arbour which had been brought for them by their children, and four large planters that until now had been positioned on the raised area outside the front door.