According to award-winning landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, there are no fixed rules about how best to fit a garden into the landscape, however, after interviewing five exceptional designers, several key issues have emerged.
First, consider the horizon and the views you’d like to lead the eye to or away from. Next, think about the hierarchy of how you view the foreground, the middle distance and the backdrop of the landscape, and don’t forget scale and proportions.
Consider materials and how they can make a connection with the local vernacular and, finally, think carefully about your palette of plants and how they can meld the garden into the landscape.
Bear in mind that what you decide to put in can be as important as what you take out. Simon Dorrell, co-owner of Bryan’s Ground in Herefordshire, puts it succinctly: ‘Adhere to Arts-and-Crafts principles: observe and respect the local vernacular, use local materials and embrace Nature and you can’t go wrong.’
This story is from the September 25, 2019 edition of Country Life UK.
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This story is from the September 25, 2019 edition of Country Life UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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