Arts and Crafts Garden

A garden for all seasons has been created around a former private estate house in Gwent

- Sue Bradley

The impressive crest dominating the front gable of Ralph and Helen Fergusson-Kelly’s home in Monmouth, Gwent, sets the tone for the garden in front of it.

This visible reminder that the Arts and Crafts-style property was built as part of the Rolls estate has inspired Ralph and Helen to create a formal front area dominated by evergreens clipped into strong geometric shapes.

However, it’s another story on the other side of the house, with a flamboyant collection of colourful plants dominating the sloping site, which enjoys views over the countryside towards Raglan.

Helen and Ralph have built a series of terraces and used an adapted version of the prairie planting technique pioneered by designers such as Piet Oudolf, mixing together grasses and perennials, along with climbers and shrubs, to ensure year-round interest. A pathway runs across the summit of the slope, while rustic-looking steps lead to a lawn below.