Long Narrow Flat Garden
Norfolk
What to do with an unloved, long, narrow, flat, rural garden . . . ?
An initial thought was to let the grass grow long, mow a sinuous path down the full length of the garden - anything to give movement and breadth to the seemingly rigid plot - and to plant trees to add to the existing Bramley apple tree and Laburnum.
There was something wonderfully liberating in leaving the grass unmown and barn owls would perch on the fence in the early morning looking for their breakfast, but visually it lacked interest and human interaction.
Norfolk
What to do with an unloved, long, narrow, flat, rural garden . . . ?
An initial thought was to let the grass grow long, mow a sinuous path down the full length of the garden - anything to give movement and breadth to the seemingly rigid plot - and to plant trees to add to the existing Bramley apple tree and Laburnum.
There was something wonderfully liberating in leaving the grass unmown and barn owls would perch on the fence in the early morning looking for their breakfast, but visually it lacked interest and human interaction.
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Dividing the space seemed to be the answer, to give the garden a rhythm, a stimulating zone followed by a quieter space and most importantly to ensure not all of the garden could be seen at a glance.
Galvanised containers placed on the edge of the paved area near to the house are planted seasonally with sweet peas and tulips - a screen of sorts. A rusted iron 'seed head' acts as a focal point at the far end. To reach it means walking through an area of 'orchard' with clumps of wild roses in grass, followed by a circle of mown grass surrounded by bulbs in long grass (soon to be cleared and planted with a mix of drought tolerant shrubs and perennials) with espalier fruit trees (soon to be planted) dividing the two areas. A gap in a hedge leads into an area of scented and woodland planting surrounding the 'seed head' sculpture. A cool shady green sanctuary on hot summer days. |
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Near to the house, flower beds and containers are planted with scented aromatic planting to give year round interest, pollen for insects and plenty to cut for the house. |
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Letting the grass grow long and so flower in the summer months has brought light, life and movement to the garden - a haven for moths, butterflies and insects . . . house martins now soar overhead, feasting on the wing. |
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The garden faces south and so trees at the far end cast shade in the area beyond the hedge. This cool green sanctuary is the place to be on hot summer days. |
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This garden is an ongoing experiment . . .
The underlying structure gives depth and layers and allows for a softer, wilder garden, transformed and animated by shadows and dappled light at different times of day and year.
A magical garden to be in. Loved by swooping barn owls, garden birds and any number of different bees, butterflies and moths.
All is in step with nature and the seasons. Each spring the garden rises, phoenix like, full of life and living, mellowing in the autumn, part of the wider rural whole it sits within.
The underlying structure gives depth and layers and allows for a softer, wilder garden, transformed and animated by shadows and dappled light at different times of day and year.
A magical garden to be in. Loved by swooping barn owls, garden birds and any number of different bees, butterflies and moths.
All is in step with nature and the seasons. Each spring the garden rises, phoenix like, full of life and living, mellowing in the autumn, part of the wider rural whole it sits within.
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gardens & planting | design & consultancy
07770 995 031
Current projects in north Norfolk and Suffolk include historic, traditional and contemporary gardens,
wildflower meadows, courtyard and country gardens.
wildflower meadows, courtyard and country gardens.