Challenge

This project started as a somewhat uninspiring garden in Cambridgeshire, despite having beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The client wanted to add more features to the garden to make it somewhere pleasant and relaxing to work and to entertain, as well as creating wildlife interest.

A basic off-the-shelf summerhouse was not a favourable option; the client wished for something more personalised and bespoke. He also requested a substantial raised deck area to use for outdoor entertaining and dining. A fire-pit / BBQ area was also on the wish list.

Access to the site and the ability to move heavy and bulky materials was a challenge.

Solution

Wherever possible, products were sourced locally. Turf, Meadowmat and Enviromat came from Harrowden Turf Ltd, a national supplier with a production unit less than 40 miles from the site. Trees were from Barcham Trees in Ely; decking was from Millboard; paths were flanked with Cor-Ten Core Edging from Core Landscape Products; landscaping supplies were sourced locally from Bannolds.

The designers were Stuart Fisher and Alex Griffin from X-Scapes Ltd in Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire. Alex researched suppliers online and concluded that Meadowmat and Enviromat from Harrowden Turf would be ideal for the pond edgings and the natural planting area.

The firepit on the client's original wishlist was incorporated into one of X-scapes' impressive seating designs. This one was a 3.7m variation of the Orbis from their architectural seating range.

A bespoke summer house doubles as a garden office and looks out over ponds, meandering paths and a curvaceous lawn. Mature trees offer screening and privacy with glimpses of the landscape beyond. A wildflower area brings colour and interest to the garden without the burden of intensive maintenance.

Enviromat sedum matting softens the edges between the path and the pond. The sedums were flowering within days of being installed and immediately began to attract butterflies and bees. Likewise, the Meadowmat wildflower turf gave an instant air of maturity to the project.

Outcome

The garden is now much more inviting, with a multitude of uses, and ticks all of the boxes on the client's wish list.

The client is over the moon with his new garden and loves the firepit which is sheltered from the prevailing winds, by the Orbis seating unit. He was also impressed with the way that Harrowden Turf products instantly enhanced his garden in a way that couldn't have been achieved with seeding or plug planting.