My own garden here in The Cotswolds has been 3 years in the planning & we could not be more delighted now it is complete. It is a simple, low maintenance courtyard garden that uses really beautiful mostly natural elements.
I tweaked the design many times, mostly to fit budget but also during the build when we encountered a couple of issues; The beautiful mature Acers were supposed to be planted in the ground. Unfortunately we soon discovered the water table was so high – at just 30cm below ground level, we could not possibly risk them drowning. We therefore had to plant them in planters instead. These are 2 metres wide in corten steel & do the job beautifully. I actually think they look better this way & it gave me the opportunity to add pretty underplanting to soften the masculine look I originally planned.
Our house is an 18th century Cotswold stone barn which we added to to create this courtyard of buildings. The Cotswold stone feature wall adds architecturally to the structure & works beautifully. Whilst digging the pool we found sufficient stone to build it which makes it even more special. The 3 lead spouts were made to order by the same foundry who made the lions in Trafalgar square so they have a pretty good pedigree! The idea of this was to counter the sound of traffic we hear. We actually live in a really quiet hamlet but people speed noisily by along the country lane nearby. The sound of falling water works perfectly!
The garden is south facing & gets very hot indeed which is why I wanted & needed shade. Natural shade beneath trees is SO much nicer than under a brolly or a faded fabric canopy & they bring birds into the garden too. We get quite a range & love to sit beneath them fluttering about.
Behind the fence & double gates is the kitchen garden where we have raised beds, shed & wood store, a little lawn & a home gym is due to be constructed imminently (to sort out lockdown lard!)
The garden is designed to work throughout the seasons & the lighting scheme I designed ensures it really comes to life at night. I practice what I preach & I so love my job…
