We have been working in this large rural garden for several years, and our work began with the design and planting of a large cascade, formed during the construction of the clients large new country house. The new cascade emerges from beneath the house, collecting any roof-top rainwater as it goes, and tumbles through a series of rock pools, each separated by typical Yorkshire stone walls, before joining a curving lake.  From the principal living spaces in the house, the eye is drawn down the cascade, along the lake, over the rolling North Yorkshire landscape to the horizon.

​

Planting is soft and exuberant, providing long seasons of vibrant colour in large sweeping drifts.  On this side of the house, the landscape is expansive with distant views, and so the scale of the rocks and planting groups reflects this, with generous proportions and broad gestures. Two bridges span the cascade, carefully engineered to appear slender and float above the water.

​

We went on to create a courtyard garden in the heart of the house, using a limited palette of Calamagrostis and Hakonechloa woven into and around dwarf Buddleia, clipped yew buns and limited dots and spires of colour.  The limitation of the palette allows each species to bring impact and drama in this three-sided small space, through which all visitors pass to reach the front door.

​

All Photos © Alistair W Baldwin

​

​