A large-scale country garden in Norfolk, combining traditional woodland, chalkland meadows, wildlife habitats and an extensive collection of ornamental and native planting, designed to evolve and mature over generations.
Set within the Norfolk countryside, this ongoing landscape project surrounds a traditional thatched country house and encompasses a diverse series of garden spaces. The brief was to create distinct areas for entertaining, contemplation and enjoyment throughout the seasons, while ensuring the garden remained manageable with limited resources and integrated naturally with its surroundings.
The garden includes established woodland, a meadow centred around an ancient apple tree, large perennial borders, wildlife ponds, gravel gardens and aquatic planting along natural chalk streams. Cloud hedging, rose gardens and long avenues of fastigiate hornbeams create structure and seasonal interest, while an extensive arboretum brings together trees from across the world. A network of mown paths connects the arboretum to the surrounding chalkland meadow, creating a landscape that supports biodiversity and is intended to mature for future generations.
Sheltered within one corner of the garden is a contemplative Islamic garden, designed around the principles of scent, water, sustenance, shade and enclosure. Its planting comprises species native to Persian, Arab and Moorish habitats. Despite being located in one of the driest parts of the country, these drought-tolerant plants have thrived for more than 15 years without irrigation.
Natural water systems are an integral part of the landscape, with chalk streams and a well located on the property. Ongoing water garden management combines ornamental and ecological considerations, supporting both the aesthetic qualities of the water features and the wider garden environment.
Seasonality, wildlife and long-term sustainability remain central to the project. Through considered planting, habitat creation and ongoing management, the landscape continues to develop as a resilient and richly layered garden within the Norfolk countryside.
Rendered block work; Reclaimed bricks; Oak; Majorelle blue paint; Norfolk pea shingle, Millboard charred decking
Giant fennel- Ferula communis; Jerusalem sage- Phlomis fruticosa; Opium poppy- Papaver somniferum; Rock rose- Helianthemum 'Henfield Brilliant’; Candytuft- Iberis sempervirens; Lavender cotton- Santolina pinnata subsp. neopolitana; Star of Bethlehem- Ornithogalum magnum; Chamomile- Chamaemelum nobile; Siberian flag iris- Iris sibirica; Giant rhubarb- Gunnera manicata; Common Oak- Quercus robur; Cedar of Lebanon-Cedrus libani; Scots Pine- Pinus sylvestris; Giant Redwood- Seqouiadendron giganteum; Tulip tree- Liriodendron tulipifera; Foxglove tree- Paulownia tomentosa; Indian Bean Tree- Catalpa bignonioides; Copper beech- Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea.
