The Wild Garden, planted for chaos, curiosity and joy

The client brief was for a landscape that complemented the modern house, the design of which had been undertaken by a renowned architect, whilst reflecting their style.

It needed to be incredibly low maintenance, as it is used only in the summer months and a space that would work for a family of five, guests and a dog.

This sculptural garden incorporated local materials but broke away from the traditional style of garden found on the Island by using strong lines, an architectural plant palette & the placement of gigantic rocks collected from the local countryside. From dusk, bold lighting highlights the forms and twilight colours of the plants, rocks and water.

A sunset view of our latest garden. The client brief was for a contemporary space for growing vegetables within their south facing gravel area. They envisioned summer evenings sat amongst the plants, catching the last rays of sun around a fire.

At the centre of this space sculptural planters interlock holding both the edibles and pools of still, reflective water. These structures are fabricated from Corten & concrete and punctuated with timber seating. Boardwalks lead you through the space and throughout the gravel orange Californian poppies grow.

Images by

Rendered Images Ltd

https://www.renderedimage.uk

A coastal garden in the sky…

Seaspray communal gardens live in a harsh environment, two floors up and sat on the very edge of the South coast. The restrictions were plentiful; location, aspect, budget, a flat roof built decades ago with deeply archived construction plans, future maintenance and huge seagulls. However, there was potential; Americana Motel vibes, blue skies and sea air.

With archival research, community input and a strong project lead, a communal garden has been created, which the residents have a strong sense of ownership over. There is a watering rota and an unofficial head gardener. The community have chosen the planting they love. There are summer parties under the pergola and there are still huge seagulls.

Images show the Before & After.

2020 has highlighted the monumental impact that outside spaces have on our wellbeing. Designer Jade Goto has responded to the global pandemic by creating a landscape that interprets her experience of the global lockdowns.

The bold, sculptural structures reflect the worldwide restrictions that have made constraint part of our everyday reality. In contrast, the wild planting and backdrop highlight the human desire to connect with nature and wilderness at this time. The seemingly opposing elements merge and become unified, creating a wildscape that is part of the urban landscape.

As Jade Goto says of her recent designs, "It is a call to green up our cities, to allow people space to escape, and to create landscapes that give children daily access to nature".

Update 2025: Whilst recently researching Female Land artists, I have come across the work of Nancy Holt and her Sun Tunnels 1973-6. The similarities in our work initially worried me but on reflection, I feel incredibly proud that I created something as a direct response to this strange period in time, that has visual similarities to such an iconic piece.

Images by Rendered Images Ltd

https://www.renderedimage.uk

These images show the landscape before, the Design Package and the current build.

Concept:

In discussions around the Stargaze Garden there are several reoccurring words. These words conjure up a picture of a peaceful, mediative space which is rich with plant life. The journey through the Stargaze Garden takes you along sinuous pathways, under tree canopies and through planting whose colour and form changes with the seasons. Green plants unfurl through carpets of spring bulbs, which in turn become flame hues of bracken in the Autumn. Pathways and steps join the changing levels and connect the spaces. Openings appear into reflective spaces that can be used for yoga or meditation; and underneath a break in the tree canopy is a platform for night stargazing. Included in these reflective stop off points, on the top of the bank, will be seating to watch the sunrise. The planting surrounding these spaces will include species chosen for sensory qualities such as fragrance. Gentle lighting along the pathways will guide the way in the darker hours.

The plant choice will create a space where it is possible to be in close proximity to nature and wildlife. Natural features, such as rocks, will be situated through the planting for interest of form. The timber furniture will be simple with clean lines, so as to compliment the planting rather than distracting from it.

The ethos of Shinrin-Yoku, Forest Bathing, will be important. This will be a space in which to consciously connect with nature and slow down; a space in which this connection with the natural world has the potential to enhance health and well-being.

Silver- Gilt medal. Hampton Court Flower Show 2016

Designed by Jade Goto for Crabtree & Evelyn, The Botanical Studio Garden allowed the naturally curious to discover a fragrant experience that went beyond the visual joy of plants and flowers.

The garden was planted in tiers to represent the base, heart and top notes of the classic perfume structure.

The striking mono-planting of each species was evocative of the expansive and singular planted perfume fields of Grasse, Provence. Within these raised copper planters the simplicity, fragrance and beauty of the single ingredient was celebrated.

Central to the planting a tank of fresh seaweeds, caught that morning off the Cornish coast, represented an element of the base note. The rollercoaster story of creating the right environment for these sea plants to survive the duration of the show, was captured in a piece made by the BBC (link on our Press Page).

At the heart of the garden was ‘The Botanical Studio’; a modern day Still Room constructed from glass. Here the perfumer could be seen practicing her art whilst transforming nature’s abundance into beautifying riches.

RHS Bronze Medal. Chelsea Flower Show 2012.

The groundbreaking QR Code Garden united cutting edge technology and horticulture. It was the first year that smart technology had been utilised at the Chelsea Flower Show and the result was an ambitious and interactive space that delivered a bold visual statement, capturing the public and media’s attention. The focal point of the garden was a large QR (Quick Response) code, created from a wall of vertical planting. The space referenced the formal garden traditions through the use of sharp geometric form and clipped topiary, but was brought into the present day through the engagement with this exciting way of accessing virtual information.

RHS Silver-Gilt Medal. Best in Show. RHS Gardeners World 2013 .

Reflecting the current economic climate, the concept behind the Austerity Garden was high design on a low budget. In being innovative with affordable materials, the garden showcased creative design solutions. Rather than disguising these materials, their raw and industrial qualities were celebrated.

The inspiration came from the designers personal design ethos that good design doesn’t have to mean high prices. With client budgets becoming restricted being innovative & creative with affordable materials has become a regular part of their design process. Mexican yards, for both planting and aesthetics, were a background influence.

The RHS awarded the garden Best in Show at BBC Gardeners world.

This private garden has been designed for a client who desired a tranquil space for reflection and relaxation.

The timber pathways lead you past seating handcrafted from black concrete to a jewel like turquoise pool. A pavilion made from a variety of woods gives a gradient of colours from sycamore through to a charred black timber.
Bold architectural planting merges seamlessly with existing trees, giving the garden structure and creating a sense of being removed from the outside world.

Spaces in the making…