A screened sitting area provides the perfect spot to admire the pond

Contemporary wildlife garden before

Contemporary wildlife garden after

Filming with Alan Titchmarsh for ITV's 'Love Your Garden'

The screen walls form a foil for soft airy grasses and flowers

A Japanese style Yatsuhashi bridge spans the pond

Iris flowers look stunning against a white rendered wall

Stabilised gravel paths meander through the beautiful borders

Some garden inhabitants enjoy the morning sun

The screen walls frame ever changing views

A bug wall introduces some abstract art and provides a variety of wildlife habitats

Lighting provides safe crossing of the Yatsuhashi bridge by night

The counterpoint between solid form and elegance is highlighted when the sun sets

The eye is lead to a most striking view

A blanket of snow highlights the stark beauty of the walls as they spin out from the pond

Contemporary Garden Design to Attract Wildlife

Our client, residing near the Kent coast, envisioned a garden that would serve as a haven for wildlife while boasting a contemporary design that made a bold statement. Inspired by her global travels and professional background as a ballet dancer, she sought a garden that reflected her diverse experiences and provided a practical yet visually stunning outdoor space.

Garden Elements:

The Challenge Ahead

Combining contemporary design elements with wildlife-friendly features posed a unique challenge. The garden needed to attract wildlife while maintaining a sense of sophistication and manageability. Our task was to create a space that not only embraced nature but also paid homage to the client's personal history and interests.

Garden Design Brief

Drawing on influences from the client's childhood in California, travels to Japan, and professional ballet career, the garden was to be a reflection of her life's journey. Key features included a pond with a screened sitting area, timber decking reminiscent of her California home and a Yatsuhashi-style bridge inspired by her time in Japan.

Haywood Landscape’s Approach

Incorporating elements of theatre and seasonal dynamics, we designed curved screen walls finished in brilliant white paint to provide a striking backdrop for the delicate planting. These walls, along with gravel and grass pathways, offered ever-changing views as the seasons progressed, enhancing the visual experience for the client.

To balance functionality with wildlife attraction, we installed bug walls to accommodate beetles and a pond provided a habitat for newts. Stabilised gravel pathways ensured durability while maintaining a natural aesthetic, allowing both humans and animals to traverse the space comfortably.

The Results

The resulting garden defied stereotypes, offering a harmonious blend of contemporary design and wildlife habitat. From productive vegetable patches to tranquil seating areas, every aspect of the garden served a dual purpose, enriching both human and animal experiences (our client introduced chickens to the garden!).

The garden's allure extended beyond its practicality, becoming an inspirational setting for Alan Titchmarsh's 'Love Your Garden' series on ITV. Its serene ambiance and thoughtful design elements provided a source of inspiration for future projects, leaving a lasting impression on visitors and viewers alike.

We were given a good service despite inclement weather. The design process itself was very enjoyable as we felt our ideas were really listened to..." and on their garden - “The garden continues to give us great pleasure and like all good gardens, it allows us to go on experimenting with our plants. It is also rather fun to listen out for the little gasps of surprise from first time visitors!

Feeling inspired?

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DISCOVER OUR OTHER GARDEN DESIGN PROJECTS

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