BADSHOT LEA
​Farnham, Surrey

An unloved patch of grass and a wide expanse of tarmac no man's land
This garden had a very unusual shape as it was the corner plot on the end of a row with a large driveway of tarmac in the most part of the garden.
The access to the garden is via three sets of doors so we needed to create vistas from multiple viewpoints.
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Our clients were not using the garden enough, partly because of the tarmac driveway/area and partly as there was nothing to attract them out there. They wanted a garden design which encouraged them to use it more and was good for entertaining friends and family whilst looking elegant and stylish all year round.

The team of contractors removed all of the tarmac and the little patch of grass and set about creating the raised beds first. Once they were in the new shape was revealed, the new layout meant a lot more space to sit and enjoy the garden.

The boundary fences were installed and that gave it the sense of seclusion they wanted. With each new addition the garden was transformed little by little. The new composite deck was next and designing it on an angle gave it a greater sense of width.

The last two stages were the rendering of the raised beds which gives it a crisp edge in all seasons, followed by the artificial grass which added a great deal of colour to the garden and suits their needs perfectly.

Once all of the hard landscaping was completed it was planting day. All of the plant supports and beds were prepped ready and the plants arrived early to allow it all to be done in one day. 




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WHITE OAKS
Yateley, Hampshire

An unusual shape with constraints and benefits
 
A triangular garden over looked by many large trees is a design challenge fit for a professional. The existing garden was dark and the lawn was more moss than grass. The seating area was a concrete square with a chunky and dilapidated wooden pergola covered in over grown climbers cutting out all light in the centre of the garden.

The soil was impoverished due to the number of surrounding large trees and the borders were thin and the plants were leggy, searching for light.

The clients wanted a patio large enough to entertain friends and family with a contemporary feel. A beautiful summer house needed to be housed in the sunniest spot for year-round relaxation and wildlife watching.

To see how I transformed this tricky plot view the gallery below.
Before​

SANDHURST

A Little garden that packs a punch

Sometimes life gets in the way and you need a helping hand to get the upper hand in the garden and this garden was one such project. The garden is tiered with an old stone wall creating a split across the garden. The grass is threadbare and sits on acidic sandy loam, which is very dry. It is a lovely garden but the client wants to put her own stamp on it.

With a lovey dog to think about I created a design which fulfils the clients brief. I was asked for low maintenance, stylish and elegant with a special area up the top to gaze at from the large picture windows in the house.

OLD SCHOOL LANE
Yateley, Hampshire

A wonderful garden re-claimed from the encroaching woods

​It was a real pleasure to work on such a naturally beautiful garden in Yateley, Hampshire. The garden was filled with trees which were old and dangerous and cutting out a great deal of light to the rest of the garden. After consultation a number of trees were removed and a space was revealed, that's where I was invited to help.

​The garden layout was to remain as natural as possible but it needed 'curating'. The existing plants were old and leggy due to poor nutrition and light levels and the grass was poor. A beautiful new garden den was installed and needed grounding into the landscape.

I provided a fresh new look for the garden without losing the natural character. The lawn is re-shaped and new deep borders of shrubs and perennials wrap around the garden. A wildlife area has been created at the end of the garden by adding a wildflower meadow area under the apple tree and new the rose arbour. The whole effect is naturalistic and in-keeping with the character of the house.

 As a designer I saw some minor changes to the layout and construction of the garden that made the garden zing alongside the new planting areas.

SUTTON SCOTNEY 
Hampshire

An existing pool area needed a new perspective and opening up to allow a better flow of movement around the area. The rear courtyard was enclosed with a 6ft high brick wall and all views were blocked. We removed the wall and designed a new brick wall with bespoke detailing, created new wide steps to the pool area and redesigned the entire pool area excluding the pool itself. 

The garden is on a slope so steps were included, which give a much more grand entrance to the Pool Garden. The old slabs were replaced with new Indian Sandstone to give a more modern feel. To screen the tennis courts we created a raised border with steps up to a boules area where three Betulas were planted and up-light at night.
The pool borders were packed with easy maintenance, high colour, perennials and beautiful grasses that flow in the wind. We always provide year-round structure in the form of evergreens and our planting style is painterly over the top for summer impact.
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AFTER
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BEFORE

BARNES 
SOUTH LONDON

 A classic London back garden space with square slabs, a level change to more slabs. Not very inviting or child friendly. The clients wanted something that they could manage with their busy lives and limited gardening knowledge.

The brief was to create a garden that they and their children could enjoy all year which must include a terrace for eating and entertaining, new boundaries, artificial turf and a wooden playhouse.

The garden was dug up as a new basement was installed so the levels could be lost and the terrace could run seamlessly into the lawn area. We chose a large 900mm tile size to give the terrace a contemporary look with small joining gaps. The artificial lawn went down easily and is loved by the whole family for its 12 months a year use. 

The size of the garden meant we had to design bespoke playhouse to fit the garden. The design included many features seen on retail playhouses  all into one such as a set of monkey bars, fireman's pole, climbing holds, climbing holes, a shop, a slanted roof and a half door. The children absolutely love it and use it almost everyday.

We included two planting beds, one on each side to soften the look and give nature a chance to come into the garden again. These plants are colourful and add texture to the space but are very low maintenance.

The boundary fence was odd heights so we installed a brand new contemporary slatted fence on two side and trained Trachelospermum jasminoides up the rustic brick was and fence.

The result is a complete transformation 

A SELECTION OF PROJECTS 

Mistletoe Garden Design projects in Hampshire and Surrey. We cover the south east of England and are based in Yateley, Hampshire.
Copyright Joanne Rogers Mistletoe Garden Design 2024