Reimagined Country Garden

IKG's raison d'être. An ongoing partnership between client and IKG which is now well past the 10 year mark. A sketchpad for new ideas, concepts, and just gardening. I should think every project that has ever been the drawing board, has at least in part, been talked through here- in a constant gardening whilst thinking out loud process. 

The Garden is informal, creative and dynamic- self-seeding guiding the approach. Working with old and new plants to make evolving vignettes. Experimenting with meadows, trees and ground shapes to fine tune what makes a space feel as it does. 

A cornerstone in the development of IKG. To date still a delight to work on-  it is a harmony of discussion and 'proper' gardening- evident in the bond between IKG and our Client. 

A Plantsman's garden, worked around a charming Old Rectory in South Herefordshire, comprises bountiful, complex mixed planting with vegetable parterre, walled borders, and extensive collections of trees and garden plants. Pinpoint in its effect, it is frequently a place where new plants are discussed and subsequently used, creating an ongoing canvas for planting design and the art of maintenance. 

IKG created this garden working on a brief which highlighted the need for colour, flower and ease. Nothing overdone, form following function, yet overflowing with flower. The Front Garden, enjoyed by both client and passers-by is embraced by a generous, continuous border planted to give interest on every day of the year; providing daily vignettes, set against rolling Herefordshire countryside. 

The Rear Garden is a bountiful palette of colour and warmth. A southerly aspect ensures Dahlias, Comsos, and Helenium reach their peak- flowers for cutting and for savouring. Miscanthus 'Kleine Silberspinne' rises through the senescing Summer display- holding the garden throughout the winter months; complimented with Molinia 'Transparent' in the lower areas.

 A generous garden which surrounds the well-proportioned house is the canvas for flower, form and detail. A base for family and a destination for entertaining- easy, loose planting ensures interest all year, continuously bubbling from April to October. A reworked paved terrace area runs from the house, and provides the centre for entertaining; alfresco lunches to evening drinks. The floral display is based off of hardworking in-ground planting which is pushed on with esummer containers providing frill and exuberance. IKG works closely with the owners, to together keep a well polished, enjoyable space

IKG designed and installed this garden to be a very low input, high-value scheme which provides year round interest without year round maintenance demands. (Infrequent) maintenance visits allow the careful tweaking of the planting as it matures to ensure it continues to deliver maximum value to the owners. The garden relies on 'good bones' of considered trees which suit the site and clients. Areas of mixed planting surround the house, providing veils to views out and the everyday beauty.