Design brief & vision
The brief was to create a garden that celebrated the character of a woodland setting. The client wanted a space that felt immersive and alive with nature, while still offering structure and purpose. Our vision was to design a garden that unfolded gradually, a place to wander, pause, and reconnect with the landscape.
Key features
Under the canopy of mature trees, bark-mulch pathways wind through generous planting. Ferns, hostas, hydrangeas, and shade-loving perennials spill naturally into the paths, softening their edges and enhancing the sense of discovery. Slate stepping stones mark moments of interest along the way, leading towards a corten steel water feature that provides a still point within the garden. Its reflective surface mirrors the changing sky, offering calm and focus among the layers of planting.
Planting scheme
The planting was chosen to thrive in shade, creating texture and rhythm throughout the seasons. Evergreen structure forms the backbone of the design, ensuring the garden feels full and balanced year-round. Seasonal highlights, from spring blossoms to autumn foliage, add colour and movement, while drifts of lavender invite pollinators and fragrance. This naturalistic planting palette hums with life, attracting bees and birds and making the garden feel truly alive.
The result
This Sevenoaks woodland garden now offers a tranquil escape from everyday life. Dappled light filters through mature branches, bees graze on lavender, and birds dart across sculptural evergreens. The combination of winding pathways, layered planting, and a reflective water feature creates a garden that evolves with the seasons while remaining a constant source of calm. It is a design that celebrates shade, structure, and serenity, a modern woodland retreat garden with timeless natural appeal.
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Like the look of this garden? Tell us about yours. Every project is led by the studio, from the first sketch to the standing garden, and cared for for the years that follow.