David Johnson Garden Design and Consultancy

A Large Country Estate

I was very lucky a few years ago to receive a commission for a large country estate in the heart of Sussex. The estate had recently changed hands, and whilst the gardens were in pretty good shape, it was evident that over recent years, they had perhaps not received the care and attention that was their due. The remit was potentially limitless, but after reflection, the considered opinion was to simply embellish what existed naturally in the existing gardens. To all sides, the estate is quite open in aspect, and looks out over the undulations of the Sussex Weald, with views that are stimulating and literally go on for miles.

The gardens now contain several themed areas (e.g. a woodland garden, a Mediterranean-themed kitchen/poolside garden, even a "jungle" garden), but as each of these borders upon the native landscape, it was essential to design by blurring the edges of each themed location with the surrounding majesty of the very English, Home Counties landscape.

Upper Lake

Over what became a two year design and build period, seven or eight distinct areas of the estate were developed by re-design. In particular, two of these are shown here. Firstly, I'll take a look back at what became known to me as the "upper lake". This long stretch of water developed from what were believed to be abortive excavations of yesteryear, possibly undertaken with a view to embracing the new-fangled railway. The water is a stunning and tranquil spot, bordered on its southern edge by a steep bank, facing north and planted with mature alder, birch and in springtime, the most spectacular array of rhododendron in a myriad of colours.

Little was needed to improve this feature, apart from some marginal planting, other than an improvement to the access across the far end of the lake where the land was boggy and, in winter time, inaccessible on foot, making a full circuit of the lake impossible.

Access on foot had to be improved. The rhododendron at left on the shot above meant that to cross the corner of the lake, you literally had to take life in hands and totter across the thin, slippy boards laid to the centre of the picture. Given that this end of the lake gave spectacular views back towards the property, it was decided to plan for a raised walkway, meandering across the end of the lake, out over the water, from where views of a sunset would be optimal, and revised marginal planting could be viewed at first hand. Furthermore, the existing drain from the lake was re-laid, improved, and made more attractive by surround planting. Taking account as well of the fact that this spot lies some distance from the property itself, a decision was taken to install an informal seating and leisure area in the form of a raised, gravelled circle bounded by log rounds. Planting around this feature would develop to give good summer colour and interest. The following shot shows the original design concept of a partially symmetrical walkway across the end of the lake:

When the landscape contractor first realised the enormity of sinking substantial oak uprights into puddled clay, without draining the lake, it seemed as if the walkway would not see the light of day, but several weeks later, the framework stood proud and soon became a comfortable part of the landscape. The following shots, and those included in the photo album at the foot of this page, were taken in the first season of completion, and a visit to take new shots, with matured planting, is long overdue. Please watch this space for updates.....

Kitchen/Poolside Garden

The second area for consideration here is the pool garden to the rear of the property. This presented something of a problem because of its aspect, in that it faces north. Even at the height of summer, some one third of the garden can be in shade due to the size of the building and furthermore, bounded to all sides as it is by buildings and fencing, the garden had quite a dark feeling to it. Much of it was set to grass around the pool, and existing planting was heavy (evergreen shrubs and trees), adding to the light-starved feeling.

It was decided to formalise the layout of the garden, and adapt the heavy planting to give a lighter, summery feel. Wherever possible, Mediterranean-style planting was used, especially at the far end of the garden where, on a marginal slope, new pale stonework pathways and gravel were introduced to immediately lighten the feel. Grass was kept to the margins to the left of the pool where, in addition, a low hedge of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) was planted to add to the Mediterranean-themed planting. Much of the existing planting was peeled away from the walls of surrounding buildings (except for existing fruit), and some obelisks were introduced at the far end to support clematis and roses. The plan below shows, at the far end of the pool, the gravelled planting area, home now to Chusan palm, Yucca and shrubby Artemisia. The strip of lawn to the left of the pool is bounded by rosemary:

The following two shots give a before and after. As with the upper lake described above, a visit to see how the planting has matured is well overdue, and the site will be updated with new shots in the late spring.

The following photo album contains further shots of the two design projects mentioned above. New shots will be taken during 2009, and posted to the site once available.

To Contact Me:

Phone: (01903) 891507

Mobile: 07765 114562

Email: downsscape@aol.com