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The Challenge

Alan and Heather’s new-build garden began as a barren plot, with heavy, poor-quality clay soil unsuitable for plants or a lawn. They envisioned a vibrant outdoor space that would be inviting to both them and local wildlife. The project needed extensive groundwork to transform the space from scratch, making it a functional, lush garden that incorporated distinct areas for leisure, vegetable planting, and wildlife observation.

The Garden Design and Creation

The first task was to excavate the clay soil, replacing it with high-quality, free-draining topsoil. We then expanded the existing paving and installed two new patios using tumbled amber limestone from @_londonstone. These areas provide ample space for relaxation and entertaining, while a solid base was prepared for a new shed. We also built three raised oak planters for vegetables, adding galvanised metal edging to create formal borders, keeping mulch and shingle neatly in place.

The main lawn was laid and meticulously levelled, offering a lush, green centrepiece for the garden. A designated area of onyx decorative chippings was set up for Alan’s birdfeeders, attracting an array of wildlife to the garden. This area includes a rustic gabion bench beneath a corner pergola, filled with Scottish cobbles that display stunning colours when wet, complementing the onyx and limestone features.

For the planting, we installed a diverse range of shrubs and trees. This included vibrant liquidambar, catalpa, cornus, and rhus typhina from @flourish_plants_uk, alongside espaliered fruit trees from @griffinnurseries. The borders were finished with laurels and red robins from @hedgesonline, creating a lush, layered backdrop. Mulch was applied to all planted areas for a neat finish and to retain moisture.

The New Garden Landscape

This transformed garden is now a wildlife haven, full of colour, movement, and seasonal interest. Alan and Heather can relax on the gabion bench or tend to their raised planters, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. The garden truly exceeded their expectations, becoming a sanctuary for both the family and the local wildlife. It’s a joy to see this once-empty plot thriving with life.