Recent Projects...

All Saints Sensory Garden, Liverpool

The garden spread over approximately 1 acre starts with a woodland walk which takes the children through a tunnel of giant tree ferns, their canopies giving a jungle feel which opens up into the sensory garden. Here huge concrete footsteps lead to an area of natural rocks and grasses, the tinkling sound of water and the whisper of the grasses make it a truly sensory experience.

Leading from the sensory garden the children are confronted with an immense turf labrynth, the grass mounds create a puzzling route to the centre of the feature where a flock of life-like sheep made from recycled wood and cork await. The area is surrounded by drifts of wild flowers and a stand of white barked birch form the central area where children can sit on turf seats.

A chain of stepping stones made from tree sections lead to a giant steel wind chime which tolls gently in the breeze, from here the children can glimpse the Octopus garden. A small seaside garden with an octopus made of mirrored stainless steel, its tentacles holding back sections of coloured glass that glint under the light and bounce reflections around the brilliant white sail canopy that is supported by three stainless steel masts. Seaside plants, grasses and herbs are planted amongst a mulch of sun-bleached sea shells. A quiet garden of contemplation nestles close by the sea-side garden for staff or children to sit and relax.

The final area of the garden is a growing area. This is the children's own mini allotment, with a herb wheel made from stainless steel and raised beds for them to plant salads and vegetables, complete with a small shed. The area is encircled with a small hedge of copper beech on one side and an avenue of fruit trees on the other. A chestnut paling fence with a perimeter of Rowan, Hazel and Alder trees create a natural enclosure for this truly magical garden.

St Margarets, Liverpool

This is a small garden crammed with unusual and interesting features.

A pathway with arches of scented, honeysuckle and jasmine leads around the garden to a growing area, small beds are planted with salads, fruit bushes and herbs. The path leads to a massive turf crocodile that the children can sit upon, it encircles a small sensory garden of herbs, grasses and rocks with water flowing from them and disappearing into an underground reservoir.

The path leads around the perimeter of the garden and through a shaded woodland walk with brass rubbing stations where the children can make pictures of birds and trees they are likely to find in the garden.

Pond and Waterfall

The brief was to replace a small natural pond with a larger pool and waterfall to make more use of the existing lawn and garden area.

The old pool was filled in and the lawn was shaped into a large circle. The existing patio of natural stone was extended and a pathway created to link in the patio, encircle the new lawn and make a walkway around the garden, leading to the main feature, a magnificent waterfall made of locally quarried natural sandstone.

The feature is sited in a more suitable area with a stand of silver birch creating a more natural backdrop and setting. The feature is planted naturalistically with a dazzling array of marginal and shade loving plants. When illuminated of an evening with strategically placed unobtrusive lighting, the waterfall turns into a magical grotto.

A Modern Suburban Garden

The clients had spared no expense or eye for detail with their beautiful house, but unfortunately the garden was another matter. Unkempt, disorganised and overgrown it needed to be totally replaced.

From this blank canvas we created a modern looking garden, the use of silver/grey natural stone and blue slate giving a contemporary and crisp look.

Featuring a circular lawn with intersecting circles of stone edged with natural cobbles. The borders, controlled and thoughtfully planted with specimen trees and shrubs, providing low-maintenance and all-year colour and interest. A small water feature provides sound and movement to the garden.

A Cottage Garden

The garden although attractive was looking dated and due to changes in levels and the use of low obstructive dividing walls – the garden was not very functional.

The biggest surprise in the garden was due the removal of an unsightly chocolate brown fence, beneath was beautiful natural dry-stone wall. This created the backdrop to a more modern looking garden with natural stone and softened by sympathetic planting in a cottage style.

An existing pool was rebuilt with an impressive waterfall. The garden is now more functional for the client to use for relaxing and to entertain.

A Garden for Disabled Access

The large garden was unable to be used by the client, restricted by having to use a wheelchair for mobility.

To give wheelchair access from the house into the garden, a deck was built around an existing conservatory, with a ramp running around its perimeter and gradually reducing the height and level into the garden. Creating an attractive and functional feature that formed an integral part of the garden, the client could now enjoy her garden.

Pathways were created around the garden using flags inset with old bricks and raised beds of recycled railway sleeper, with regular intervals of hard standing patio areas, under a scented climber clad pergola and around raised beds of herbs and old roses.

The garden is now functional and planting in raised beds gives the client more access to a much loved garden.

A Backyard Haven

The challenge was to create a useable space in the tiny backyard of an urban terraced house. As much of the old brick walls were unattractive we decided the most cost-effective option was to clad much of the walls with trellis, using a chunky structure with a contemporary look. The small square design in the trellis created an illusion of greater space.

Picking up the theme of old bricks we built a small circular wall to house the client’s contemporary stainless steel water feature. We softened it in situ by using different textures and sizes of stone and grasses.

In the corner behind the feature we mounted wave shaped mirrors on the wall to reflect the image of the feature and bounce more light around the garden. To finish the project we installed low-voltage lighting around the garden and to illuminate the feature.

The clients are already planning their sunbathing and long summer evenings relaxing in their small but beautifully formed contemporary urban back yard garden.