The Rear Garden: A Secluded Haven
Our initial phase involved collaborating with one of our trusted landscape partners to re-sculpt the lawn, lay new turf, and redefine the borders with fresh edging in this leafy garden in South East London. A serene white gravelled area was introduced at the garden’s far end. Establishing a seating area that offers a perspective back towards the garden and house can profoundly enhance the enjoyment of an outdoor space; we consistently recommend incorporating such a vantage point, even in more compact gardens, to maximise spatial perception.
Once the landscaping was complete, our focus shifted to the planting. With numerous successful Cottage-style plants already thriving and a clear preference for purples, pinks, and reds, we expanded upon this aesthetic. New plants were thoughtfully introduced to complement and integrate with the existing, robust repeat-flowerers.
Many of Annabel and Chris’s existing plants, from gorgeous Peonies to a magnificent climbing Hydrangea, were retained. Our new planting schemes were designed to flow around them. Inevitably, some plants were removed to facilitate the new design. Making such decisions, though challenging, often yields superior results, and trusting the design process is, in our view, an invaluable principle when envisioning a new garden.
Integrating a new planting scheme, drawing heavily from our Cottage theme, with existing flora allowed us to introduce year-round interest and ensure optimal plant placement. One side of the garden benefits from dappled shade, while the other endures intense midday sun. Our Dig Studio team meticulously selected plants accordingly: Brunnera, Thalictrum, Heucheras, and Hostas for the shadier aspects, contrasted with sun-loving Geums, Geraniums, and Nepeta for the brighter areas. This approach resulted in contemporary planting that nevertheless maintained a classic, soft Cottage aesthetic, extending colourful lines from the home’s interior design into its exterior spaces.
With ample shaded areas, new seating zones, and carefully planned sightlines, this space has been transformed into an ideal setting for entertaining, as well as a tranquil retreat for relaxation. Its versatility, spaciousness, comfort, and inviting nature were achieved through considered alterations and intentional planting.
The Front Garden: A Welcoming Aspect
Situated on a quiet street celebrated for its beautifully cultivated front gardens, the brief for Annabel and Chris’s front garden was to create a distinguished impression. A well-designed front garden serves not only as a welcoming embrace upon returning home but also as a pleasing vista for passers-by, and importantly, an inviting habitat for local wildlife and pollinators.
With two elegant Olive trees already in place, our Mediterranean theme was a natural complement for this well-proportioned front garden, which featured existing attractive paving and gracefully curved beds. It was decided that a central bed would be dedicated to aromatic herbs rather than solely ornamental flowering plants. For a household of enthusiastic cooks, a central herb garden, conveniently located within a short distance of the kitchen, was a key element of the design brief. Planted with mint, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and annual herbs that can be interchanged and experimented with annually, this miniature culinary garden now functions as a versatile and practical centrepiece amidst the more ornamental yet still aromatic elements of the other two beds.
Echoing the rear garden’s theme, Geums provided an early summer flowering highlight, joined by key plants from our Mediterranean palette. Towering Verbena Bonariensis offered striking visual impact and verticality, rising above layers of Salvia, Nepeta, Rosemary, Lavender, and variegated Pittosporum, which provided essential structure.
The result is a garden that offers beauty and utility in equal measure – to its occupants, to the community, and to the natural world. Thank you to Annabel and Chris for trusting us, allowing us to come and photograph and, overall, for choosing Dig!
