New dry stone walls with Corten steps lead up to a new grass terrace outside the enlarged open plan kitchen of this Heathland project.

Status | Phase One Completed Summer 2023

Status | Phase One Completed Summer 2023. Next phase expected in 2026.

This project near Frensham ponds in Surrey comprises a 3-acre garden on the side of a steep slope adjoining a beautiful area of protected National Trust heathland. The existing garden had poor acidic soil and large areas of neglected Rhododendrons and non-native trees including Leylandii that blocked views and marred the space.

A complete overhaul of the house included an extension into the bank to the North East requiring terracing works to allow for the enlarged footprint. A key part of the works was collaborating closely with the architect to create the revised design. Clearance of the existing non-native trees enabled the garden to link to the heathland beyond and provided space for wildflower meadows and a future orchard to the East and West.

Corten steel edging, steps and estate railing and gates reflect the countryside setting and also introduce a contemporary theme.

A formal lawn to the South of the house is now bounded at either end by terraces with flower beds filled with tough naturalistic plantings of ornamental grasses, Salvia, Euphorbia and Rosa rugosa that connect to the heathland as well as being appropriate to the poor soils.

A new kitchen garden is proposed to the North and the design for a new swimming pool and pool house is under way. Parking has been rationalized to provide an arrival with year-round structure and a new courtyard garden has been created surrounding a multi-stem tree outside the gym and guest cottage to separate this from the parking area.

The existing areas of Rhododendron planting have been opened up to create multi-stems and paths that encourage you out into the seeded wildflower meadows and up to a terrace for entertaining that looks down the garden.

Size | 3 acres

Architect | Iain Collie Architecture Limited

Photography | Nicholas Morton© Copyright

Size | 3 acres

Architect | Iain Collie Architecture Limited

Photography | Nicholas Morton© Copyright

Heathland Garden - Surrey

Formal beds with Naturalistic planting near the house give way to Wildflower meadow. On the edges of theses borders Iris germanica 'Jane Phillips' is backlit in the late afternoon sun.
A formal lawn flanked by gravel paths creates a clean green space outside the house. A border with Nepeta, Alliums and Heuchera provides year-round interest.
Existing Rhododendrons were cleared back from the main lawn to create space. Estate railings create a barrier for the dog as well as creating a view to the wildflower meadow and Rhododendrons beyond.
Mild-steel estate railings contrast with Iris 'Jane Phillips' and Allium.
This garden included significant gradient changes. From the top of the garden you look over Naturalistic plantings of grasses towards the formal lawn which provides breathing space near the house.
The dry-stone wall creates space around the enlarged open plan kitchen. Providing light whilst also providing views of the new planting beds from the windows.
Estate railings create a barrier for the clients dog as well as creating a view to the wildflower meadow and Rhododendrons beyond.
Hand drawing

Hand drawing

Before

Before

After

After

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