In 2017 Marianne was asked by an existing gardening customer to design a new garden for her when she moved to a new house the following Spring. Marianne would continue to look after the new garden after it was built and planted so here was the opportunity to create a very special garden for a very passionate plant loving client.
On first inspection the site was a muddy building site as the bungalow was being gutted and completely restored with a new open plan extension. All that was left of the existing garden were a few shrubs and a line of rather dominating conifer trees at the rear.
Pam’s brief was for Marianne to create a garden full flowers and colour. She also wanted to include a circular lawn, a water feature and include areas to place Pam’s collection of large terracotta pots. The house was also at a higher level than the garden, so steps and a sloping path would be needed for accessibility.
When considering how to go about designing the garden, Marianne knew she didn’t want to just place a circular lawn in the middle of the garden with the beds pushed to the sides, it was also important that the plants were centre stage and were visible to Pam while she was inside, especially with the house at a higher level.
The design Marianne created was a garden that takes you on a journey full of colour and texture. A wide flight of steps leads you down into the garden to a smaller seating area and then a brick path leads you around the garden. Generous planting either side of the path immerses you as you walk along. There is a circular seating area with bench and then beyond a water feature within the path itself, the path then returns and passes by the circular lawn. In all areas of the garden there are small views and areas of interest no matter which direction or height you view it from.
The planting choices were kept mostly herbaceous with a background of shrubs, trees and tall delicate grasses. The result is a rich and fascinating garden that changes almost weekly from winter into spring, summer and autumn as bulbs and perennials come into bloom one after another in a seemingly unending flow.
I have known Marianne for several years now, attending to my garden in my previous home, so when I brought my bungalow last year there was no doubt in my mind that I would get Marianne to design the new garden for me.
She has such creative ideas for design and planting and what plants to use to show their best advantage.
I was very involved every step of the design process, her enthusiasm is boundless and her love of all things in the garden is a delight to see.
When the garden was taking shape it was so exciting seeing it all come together, there’s not a day goes by when I don’t look at my garden and get such joy from it.
Marianne is such a lovely lady, but I must give a little mention to her husband Clive who also helps Marianne on occasion, he’s also a lovely man and it’s lovely to see them working together.
My garden now looks spectacular, thanks to Marianne’s dedication, passion and hard work, so if you are thinking of having your garden designed look no further, you will not regret it.