Low Fell
Our clients appointed us at an early stage having purchased a property requiring refurbishment and modifications for accessibility. A key consideration was making the garden accessible for wheelchair access, allowing the client to enjoy the garden.
The new garden scheme needed to be traditional without feeling dated and contain cottage garden favourites and ornamental grasses. Our client enjoys gardening, however, as a full-time carer the workload needed to be minimised where possible whilst keeping a relaxed softness to the planting. The client was also keen to introduce some sculpture into the garden scheme.
Due to a tricky slope, this is one of the most unusual and challenging gardens we have designed.
The Solution
The first step to making the space accessible for our client was to take the slope into consideration. We wanted the client to be able to access the whole garden so designed a wide curving path meandering up the garden at a constant 1:20 gradient. This layout increased the importance of having planting with year-round interest and seasonal change as the whole of the garden is on show. The early spring yellow from the two Cornus mas trees transitions to the softer whites and purples of the Peonies, Roses and Salvias of summer, before the Autumn russets of the grasses and trees finishing with the winter flowering Daphne and Hellebores.
We introduced two Corten steel moon gates to break up the long path and to form different areas of the garden.
A Corten steel water feature and comfortable outdoor seating on the top circle patio area make the most of the view across to the mountains surrounding Grasmere. Lighting on the multi-stemmed and standard trees creates views into the garden from the house throughout the year.
The Outcome
The garden is still clearly set on different levels; however, the wide path adds a feeling of depth and widens the entire space visually, whilst harmonising the levels. The Corten moon gates separate the garden into three distinct areas whilst echoing the planting colours throughout the year. The planting will thicken up to cover the bare soil reducing maintenance and give a sense of enclosure as you travel along the path. We planted grasses to give movement to the garden and on a breezy day the garden comes alive. It’s been a privilege to build this garden for such wonderful clients, we hope you enjoy your garden.
“I have enjoyed working with Sam and his team. They were very helpful during the initial design phase and understood our needs straight away and were able to follow the brief and have built a truly stunning garden we can all use for years to come. The team is extremely hard working and careful during the whole process. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Lakeland Gardens.”
Anita TGrasmere
