Brighton, 2019

Situated on the cliffs overlooking the Marina, this coastal garden was literally built from the chalk bedrock up. While the house was under construction on the plot above, with a substantial retaining wall running across the site, doubling as the wall of the swimming pool, work got underway to create a garden with a manageable slope of no more than 35 degrees at any point, to avoid soil erosion, support plants growing and lawn mowing, as well as provide easy family access. 

My additional design challenge from the client was that all construction was to compliment the modern timber and flint aesthetic of the house, and that the site should offer plenty of safe play opportunities for very young children. 

The flat lawn area at the bottom of the garden was reduced in size in order to create a gently sweeping, curved set of terraces that would allow both unimpeded toddling and mowing, as well as designing in stepped access. The slope would be the middle garden, suited for a wildflower meadow requiring minimal maintenance. The wide plot has two garden entrances, with winding rain-permeable turf paths and steps to make best use of rain-water for the garden plants. This layout provides many separate areas for relaxation and play across the whole site.

The materials we used for retention walling and other path surfaces are green oak, flint cobbles and Hoggin, a self-binding aggregate that mimics the chalk cliffs, all of which are part of the local vernacular architecture.

Soil brought in was recycled from a site which was being cleared of tarmac for redevelopment. As it was totally dry and devoid of organic matter, it was improved by the introduction of 2 kilograms of healthy worms from a worm farm, who then had the task of incorporating organic Strulch mulch to restore the topsoil. They did a magnificent job!  The site was then left for 6 months before planting was possible.

As the site is within the South Coast Downland Nature reserve, it was important to support the local wildflower and insect species. This was done by using chalk meadow wildflower seedling mix Meadowmat turves to bind the steepest parts of the site, and represents 50% of the planting species. Adjacent beds were planted with a mix of ornamental grasses and bee friendly herbaceous perennial plants with a selection of sumptuous free flowering peach roses that play host to the local bindweed with grace!