The simple and contemporary Mediterranean style of this garden reminds my clients of their summer house in the South of France. A challenging site on a steep hill with the most incredible far-reaching views across the Weald of Kent, this garden has been landscaped to increase usable space by installing substantial retaining walls both above and below the swimming pool. A new wide decked terrace on the south side of the pool captures the evening sun and the bespoke steel handrail ensures that the terrace is safe. The long retaining wall along the north side of the pool is clad in a rugged Cotswold limestone which lends a great deal of texture and beauty to what could have been a very imposing high wall. A long border of deep pink ‘Gabriel Oak’ roses paired with exuberant nepeta ‘Walkers Low’ and geranium ‘Rozanne’ further softens the space.
The dramatic main steps down to the pool garden wrap around a large square planting border which adds interest to the lower story of the garden and also stops the hard landscaping from dominating. An established multi stem crab apple tree provides a focal point and is underplanted with white ‘Desdemona’ roses and a deep border of ‘Grosso’ lavender.
A new poolhouse clad in black charred Yakisugi timber makes excellent use of an area that was previously overgrown and inaccessible.
