‘Freddy is exacting, artistic and passionate. He created a wonderful garden for us, after us supplying him with loose visuals and extensive rambling. From this he crafted something not only that sung with the building, but also spoke to us, our aesthetic and the stage of life we were at - low effort, high impact. He has conviction, confidence and honesty. And when you're paying someone for their craft and vision, this is integral.’ Paddy Fraser

We were briefed to create a contemporary-feeling, low maintenance country garden.  The property itself is an elegant agricultural building conversion with striking industrial architectural features.  Its bold forms -large windows and portals in particular- are replicated in the garden layout and features.  Although the layout is seemingly formal, the overall effect -due to the planting and the restrained application of hard landscaping - is relaxed, rural and paradoxically naturalistic. 

The garden is divided into four zones developed on a rectilinear grid: terrace, lawn, orchard, meadow and wilderness.  Adherence to its empathically geometric form ensures harmony as, moving outwards from the house and towards the landscape, the zones become increasingly naturalistic in planting style and content.

The layout seeks to visually widen the garden.  Low, loosely clipped blocks of native Field Maple enhance the width and introduce a rustic take on formal garden structure.  Trees are deployed to add much-needed verticality and to create perspectives.  Planting is simple and bold.  The blocks of grasses and perennials are easy to maintain and very much in keeping with the property’s aesthetic. 

The garden continues to develop. We are in the process of drawing up concepts for a garden room and ornamental water tank.