Place

A back garden in Penrith, on the edge of the Lake District, steeply sloping in several directions, dropping more than 2.5 metres.  The soil is a sandy loam that drains freely but is highly prone to erosion.

Before the rebuild, the garden was neglected and overgrown, with a small paved area at the top. 

The upper part of the garden, with its open aspect, gets plenty of sun while the lower section is in shade for much of the day, and is overlooked by surrounding properties.

View from bottom of back garden

Terraces and steps under construction

Bespoke greenhouse under construction

Brief

To create a garden that feels private, inviting and stylish. To provide a series of distinct zones supporting different activities, balancing active gardening with long-term ease of maintenance. Connection to the wider context was also important, visually linking the 1970s house to the red sandstone characteristic of the surrounding conservation area.

A planting approach that supports biodiversity and wildlife, including design features throughout the garden to support birds, pollinators and other fauna. 

To retain existing sandstone paving, boulders and shrubs wherever possible, ensuring continuity with the original garden.

Site analysis

Site survey

The steep gradient largely dictated the layout. The design embraces the slope through a series of terraces and paths based on a grid system of 900 mm squares, creating a series of separate spaces within a relatively small footprint. A meandering stepped path cuts into the terraces and reinforces the idea of a garden carved into the landscape.

Levels, materials and planting were carefully coordinated to manage surface water, slowing and absorbing run-off.

Limestone slabs form the paving and edging, and vertical surfaces are clad in slate, providing visual contrast. The terraces serve as informal seating and display surfaces for pots.

Concept plan

Construction work was commenced and completed in Spring 2025. The works were carried out by Wildroof Landscapes (wildroof.co.uk).

Terraces and steps under construction

Terraces, steps and pond under construction

Limestone paving on lower patio under construction

Newly completed terraces, steps and pond with slate cladding

Midway down the terraces, a bespoke greenhouse (built by Morton Garden Buildings, Cumbria) nestles into the slope. A corten steel–clad pond and planting trough provide material contrast, and timber elements are painted to echo details from the house, unifying the garden with its architectural context.

A couple of niches were constructed to place small pots of Auriculas.

The pond is fed by rainwater and has quickly established itself as a thriving ecological asset. After initial algal blooms due to the exposure to the sun, introduction of shade plants, Daphnia and snails has transformed the health of the pond. 

Excavated limestone boulders uncovered during terrace construction, were used on one edge of the pond, incorporating a trickling waterfall. Others used to create rockeries on the slopes and resin the very sandy soil. 

Newly completed terraces, steps and pond

First shrubs and perennials being planted

Newly planted shrubs and perennials in foreground, and green roof over bike shed at lower boundary.

Garden three months after completion

Steps winding through the terraces, provide a variety of experiences from top to bottom

Auricula theatre

The planting scheme is guided by a restrained palette of green and white, emphasizing texture, form and seasonal variation. 

The planting design responds directly to the steep topography with the concept of ‘hanging gardens’, which will develop over time. This layered approach softens the engineered terraces that were required for such a challenging site. The overall planting strategy supports biodiversity and responds to the site’s varied light conditions and pronounced microclimatic variation. 

White-flowered shrubs and perennials in foreground, with early stages of pleached hedge along boundary wall.

Plants starting to establish, first summer

Pond in summer with corten surround

Ammi majus spilling from steel planter

Libertia in front of corten steel pond

Androsace in front of pond

Philadelphus, bamboo and pyracantha were retained and renovated on the site boundary.  These supplement the borrowed landscape from neighbouring gardens. 

Along the rear boundary, hornbeams have been planted and trained against a bamboo framework to form a pleached hedge. Over time, this will provide privacy and shelter while maintaining permeability. 

Elsewhere, planting is used to define space, filter views and create enclosure where the garden is overlooked. A yew hedge, grown from seedlings collected from the front garden, will provide enclosure to the upper terrace seating area.

Tree selection was prioritised from the outset to establish long-term structure.  Structural evergreen planting provides year-round presence and a sense of permanence, while deciduous trees, shrubs and perennials provide seasonal variation.

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Place

This client is a busy family with diverse and changing needs, including wheelchair access. They are committed to actively contributing to the garden’s development. The existing mature garden on a corner plot, sloping upwards from the house, has a tapestry of micro-climates. It enjoys a sunny aspect but also presents some challenges, being bordered by a busy road and overlooked from below. The site includes features worth preserving, such as certain retaining walls, two small ponds, and some outstanding mature plants.

Back and side of garden from pavement on main road

Yard adjacent to back door

View to top of garden showing condition of steps

Brief

Key considerations include screening from the busy road and optimizing the garden’s orientation to create productive spaces, including an orchard, while also encouraging wildlife. A thoughtful and strategic approach is needed to maximize accessible, usable areas for a variety of activities, incorporating some of the existing structures; this involves rebuilding some of the degraded steps and retaining walls and replacing them with ramps where appropriate.

Work in Progress

Structural work to the retaining walls and addition of ramps will commence once works on the house have been completed. Options are being considered for disabled access between the lowest level and one of the higher, sunnier spaces. Meanwhile, a meadow and an orchard have been planted up, and a hedge to screen the busy road has been established.

Sketch of garden and site analysis

Partially complete wheelchair ramp

Planting up the bed surrounded by the wheelchair ramp

Preparing to establish wildflower meadow

Orchard starting to take shape

Detail of wildflower meadow sown with yellow rattle

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Place

For a busy young professional in Newcastle city centre with a limited budget. This is her first outdoor space; an unwelcoming urban yard.

Overview of yard

Stairs up to flat and gate to back alley

Area to be paved

Brief

To transform this yard into a cosy and inviting retreat and a place to relax and enjoy. Referencing the first-floor flat’s interior colour scheme, the space needed to include seating and raised beds. Low-maintenance planting can provide a gentle introduction to gardening.

Site analysis and hard landscaping proposals

Sketch proposals

Tidied yard seen from back gate before painting

Finished Project

This design approach successfully transformed the yard into a cosy, multifunctional space that feels like an extension of the home, perfect for relaxing and sitting with friends and family.

• The fencing and raised beds were painted to complement the flat’s interior, and this is echoed in the planters, and decorative accessories, including folding chair, ensuring a cohesive look.
• Pebbles and porcelain pavers make an attractive surface and add warmth, making it feel like an inviting outdoor room.
• Soft lighting from a solar-powered lantern enhances the cozy atmosphere, making the space inviting during the evening.
• The raised beds add structure to the yard, giving an attractive backdrop to the seating area.
• Climbing plants and trellises provide natural screening, offering privacy and adding greenery to soften the yard’s boundaries.
• Low-maintenance plants, including hardy perennials, ornamental grasses, and evergreen shrubs, provide year-round interest with minimal upkeep.

Gallery

Paving in progress

Paving completed, with refurbished gate and painted walls

Overview of completed yard

Low maintenance planting

Lilies and agapanthus

Mint and corten steel panels

Acer

Thalictrum and obelisk

Planting detail

Planting after 8 weeks

Solar-powered lantern

Acer and thalictrum provide contrast to pelargonium flowers

Testimonial

I am absolutely delighted with the garden which Anna designed and built for my small outdoor space on a very tight budget. She completely understood my vision and has been able to bring it to life. Anna thoughtfully and thoroughly planned every little detail, supplementing with ‘found’ materials, to make my little garden utterly perfect!

Grace, Newcastle upon Tyne

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Place

The front garden is gently sloping and sunny with an open aspect.

The back garden is also gently sloping, having several structures which break it up into a series of slightly disconnected spaces.

The owner requires minimal intervention, making the most of existing features, and is willing to invest time and effort into the garden’s development, and some garden maintenance.

Front garden from pavement

Front garden - existing beds

Damp area in front garden

Brief

To pull these diverse elements together so that the different parts of the garden can flow coherently, maximising the space for different activities, including a productive garden. The client would like to retain the Arts and Crafts aesthetic of the house and neighbourhood whilst updating the different parts of the garden to provide contemporary and private spaces to grow food, relax and entertain in.

She also would like a phased plan so that she can budget accordingly.

the design

A concept plan is being developed which will make better use of the site’s orientation to create a series of interconnected garden rooms, resulting in a more cohesive design. The different spaces used different colour themes, which helped provide a framework for the client when she moves existing plants around, and when choosing new plants.

I worked with the client to come up with some quick wins that she can carry out immediately, and in advance of the full masterplan and construction work. The first phase will concentrate on the front garden with a planting plan, as no construction work is required here.

Site analysis of front and back gardens

Mood board for planting ideas

Work begins on access from patio to gazebo

front garden

I designed the planting in the front garden to incorporate some existing planting, expanding the beds and adding further beds for a second phase. The placing of the beds took into account the existing short-cuts taken by visitors across the front lawn, and used a theme of jewel colours.

Planting plan Phase 1 for front garden

New planting beds in progress

Testimonial

Anna designed a plan for bed placement and a planting plan with my colour preferences in mind for the first phase. I can follow the designs at my own pace which works really well for me. Each stage of the design allows for the space to be completed and looks good before i move on to the next step. Anna has designed to maximize existing features while giving suggestions for small changes with big impact. I would never have been able to come up with these thoughtful ideas on my own! Very insightful and encouraging! I’m looking forward to the next phase!

Ruth, Washington

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