ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Perfectly natural Garden designer Colombe Flint of Cambridgeshire Garden Design shares how naturalistic planting in a limited palette can revamp your outdoor space
At Cambridgeshire Garden Design, we’ll discuss your ideas using mood boards to make sure we’re on the right track, then agree on the brief based on our discussions. We’ll then move to 3D images to help you visualise the space, make any changes and try out different ideas. We’ll talk about how design decisions affect the level of investment needed to realise the project. Finally, we overlay planting plans and lighting if required. By the time we reach the final design, it has been a truly collaborative effort. MODERN ROOTS Cambridgeshire Garden Design balances aesthetics and practicality with gardens that are both easy to maintain and visually striking
A s a garden designer, I love the contemporary look – using high- quality materials to provide a backbone of hard landscaping, softened by naturalistic planting. In my own garden, I like to limit the number of different flower colours too; using plants in a restricted palette makes the whole garden look more cohesive, decisive and modern. One of the key trends in garden design right now is curated wilderness – a trend I’ve been embracing for many years. Sustainability is very important too, with the creation of ecosystems to encourage wildlife into the garden and the use of native plants to promote biodiversity. When it comes to working with a client, I try not to have a specific style in mind because everyone has different tastes and needs. One of our strengths is being able to quickly identify a style based on how each client has chosen to decorate their interior spaces.
Good spatial awareness makes it possible for us to maximise any outdoor space, whatever its size or shape. For homeowners with a small garden or a limited budget, my top tip would be not to line plants up along the fence! It’s far more impactful to cut a flowerbed across the garden, creating a division so you have different zones to explore. One or two well-placed focal points – a trickling water feature or a bench, perhaps – can draw the eye and create impact. This is where working with a professional garden designer can help you visualise the possibilities offered by your space. Look for ideas to see what you like and, more importantly, what you don’t! Also, be realistic about how much time you want to dedicate to maintenance, and find a designer you can trust. A huge plus is that we work in partnership with Grow Gardens, an experienced landscaping contractor who can ensure a smooth transition into reality.
For a design consultation with Colombe, email hello@cambridgeshiregardendesign.co.uk or visit cambridgeshiregardendesign.co.uk
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