The Plumpton Garden

This garden started as a general maintenance project and our lovely clients Ruth and Tim commissioned us to survey and create a masterplan and planting plan for the space. Nestled in between chalk downland and greensand soils the site has a range of micro habitats. The brief was to create a garden of flowing lines and a softer visual relationship with the wider landscape which encompassed dramatic views of the South Downs National Park.

A number of mature and oppressive Leylandii once planted to give privacy were removed and replaced with tree species more sympathetic to the locale. The curving and deep planting beds were designed to have year round seasonal impact for instance using robust perennial species with structural seed heads such as Phlomis russeliana alongside Miscanthus sinensis cultivars and drifts of Winter-stem effect Cornus.

The garden has various areas which we are developing over time through regular creative maintenance sessions- a scented patio area, a new Himalayan Birch woodland initially sown with a very successful Pictorial Meadow mix that we now lift and divide woodland species into whilst encouraging natural succession as the canopy closes. Also other focuses are an orchard area Mark is gently bringing back to order and a tucked away pool area we are edging towards brighter colours and the more exotic.

The site is relatively large with limited maintenance time onsite, every area isn’t polished but there is drama and interest aplenty along with a host of wildlife that the clients love.