Small Garden, Big Design Confidence
A Project By: Land & Form
I occasionally freelance for fellow garden designers, and it’s a privilege that often takes me out of my comfort zone geographically and creatively. This particular project saw me travelling south for a handful of jobs, one of which was a collaboration with Gardenscapes in Surrey. From the outset, it was clear this would be no ordinary garden.
Rather than fighting the architecture of the garden, we chose to lean into it, with multiple levels, narrow terraces, and a steep incline, all wrapped in shade, and with very little usable space. Rather than fight these constraints, we chose to embrace them. The existing timber structures, though functional, absorbed light and weighed the space down, so cladding them in a lighter composite Millboard instantly lifted the space, helping to reflect light and unify the garden visually.
Planting became our softening tool. With so many hard edges and changes in level, generous borders were essential. Layered planting helped blur boundaries, drawing the eye away from the constraints of the space and introducing movement, texture, and seasonal interest. In a garden where every inch mattered, each plant earned its place.
Despite its size, the brief was ambitious. Somehow, this compact, complex site needed to accommodate family life, entertaining, and moments of retreat. Across the three levels, a seating space with a pergola and firepit, creating a place to gather as the evening draws in. On the ground floor, a dining area sits comfortably within the landscape, offering a more grounded, sociable setting.
This garden won’t be for everyone, and that’s exactly the point. It’s bold, unconventional and unapologetically unique. But it stands as a thoughtful response to a difficult site, proving that even the most challenging spaces can become something truly special when approached with creativity and confidence.
Projects like this reflect the kind of thoughtful, design-led landscape work often celebrated in Architecture Vogue Magazine & Luxury Property Magazine, where creativity, context and craftsmanship come together.
