A magnificent property with over 2000m2 of gardens. The gardens, which were untouched for many years, required a complete redesign from the first principals. Karl Harrison is a garden designer in Seer Green
Garden Design Brief
Preserve and celebrate the mature trees—design around them, not despite them. Work with the natural slope of the land to create layered experiences: a levelled lawn for structured family use, and a woodland walk that feels like discovery, not design. Planting should feel effortless, soft, and textural—never contrived. A children’s play area must be discreet yet magical. The front of the property deserves presence: reimagine the arrival with impact, elegance, and cohesion. This is not just landscaping—it’s storytelling in green.
A New Lawn in Seer Green
The team created a flawless lawn surface, the ground was expertly re-engineered from the subsoil up. Over 160 tons of unsuitable, clay-heavy material were excavated and replaced with a carefully specified medium designed for optimum root support and drainage. A full subsurface system—comprising 100 linear metres of precision-laid drainage—feeds into a discreet soakaway, ensuring long-term performance and resilience. Eighty tons of graded soil were meticulously compacted to provide a stable foundation, ready to receive 800 rolls of premium turf. The result is a sculpted lawn with perfect form and function—designed to endure, engineered to impress.
Woodland Walk
The newly formed elevation of the garden gave the perfect platform to create a woodland walk. Edged in a rustic style with treated timber this bark-based walkway meanders from one side of the garden to the other. This allows the client to enjoy their garden from different angles offering alternative vistas of their rear garden space.
Children’s Play Area
A change in elevation of nearly 3 metres and a useable run of 40 metres gave sufficient space for a zip wire. The landing area for the zip wire sits at the lowest point of the garden. Here there is a Cherry tree with a swing. Alongside this Karl set rocks into the bank creating a rock scramble running up to the lawn.
Informal Planting
The planting scheme was thoughtfully curated to echo the brief—luxurious, layered, and harmoniously attuned to the garden’s natural conditions. The garden was artfully zoned, with each area planted according to its exposure to sunlight.
Sun-loving perennials such as the bold Ligularia ‘Gregynog Gold’ and the refined Sanguisorba ‘Tanna’ grace the banks bordering the zip wire run, creating a vibrant tapestry of texture and colour. In contrast, the cool, dappled shade beneath a fallen willow provides the perfect sanctuary for elegant Hostas and delicate ferns. Beyond their aesthetic contribution, these plants serve a vital structural role—their root systems stabilise the sloped terrain, gently anchoring the soil and enhancing the integrity of the site.
Where gradients steepen, subtle structural intervention was required. Naturally sculptural and texturally rich, Slabby Rockery Stone was chosen to provide support with effortless grace. Its organic form blends seamlessly into the landscape, reinforcing the garden’s sense of permanence and quiet luxury.
Front of House
The garden beds immediately to the front of the house were planted as mirror images of each other. An arrangement of Ilex crenata balls sit behind a single Cornus kousa ‘Venus’; the focal point for each bed. Surrounding these are swathes of Stipa tenuissima interspersed with Centaurea montana ‘Jordy’ to add splashes of colour.
These prominent beds are softly illuminated during the evenings providing a warm welcome.
Curved Clay Paver Driveway
The final flourish of this exceptional project was the expansive 350m² driveway—a statement in design and craftsmanship that perfectly complements the grandeur of the property. Drawing inspiration from the existing contours of the front flower beds, Karl introduced a sweeping curve that guides you elegantly across the space, creating a sense of flow and welcome from the moment you arrive.
Every detail was considered, with no compromise on quality. Chelmer Valley handmade clay pavers were the natural choice—timeless, tactile, and rich in tone. Their artisanal finish brings warmth and distinction, elevating the entire approach. Professionally installed with meticulous precision, the result is both technically flawless and visually arresting.
This driveway is more than an entrance—it is a luxurious introduction to a home of rare elegance.
Client’s Comments
Approach to the project overall
“Passionate, and creative….really thought through every inch of garden and added some much value. Lots of partnership and patience. Really understood the brief and the personality of the family.”
The Design
“Really inspiring…great attention to detail….really pushed the boundaries to create something outstanding”
The landscaping
“Really imaginative yet practical. Brilliant choices on plants.”
The quality of the project
“Top quality, really added value to the house….and transformed the experience of living here”
Overall finish
“Fantastic and where there were snags they were quickly resolved”
Credits and Further Information
Location Garden designer in Seer Green
Completed 2022
Materials Chelmer Valley, London Stone, Country Supplies, Lathams, CED, Rochford’s.
Client Private
Value >250k
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