Working with water
In this water-prone spot on the edge of the city, this family wanted lively planting and water features that would put its natural wetness to good use, and give them spaces they could enjoy year-round without donning the wellies. In sodden areas, we built in a French drainage system of gravel trenches to redirect rainfall into a pond, rescuing the plants we could from, the loose, moist soil, and repositioning where they were better suited. Adding structure with custom Corten planters, we also sourced local Stoke Hall Quarry sandstone to define the pond area, which we designed to be easily accessible to wheelchair use. A beautiful haven of a project that embraced the natural behaviour of the landscape and worked with it.
The pond slopes gently to make it wildlife safe, and makes great use of the lowest, naturally wet end of the garden.
Planting is designed to enjoy the wet conditions too, and as it thrives it'll create a little haven around the bench.
Higher up, Corten planters make a feature of dry-soil loving planting, which drains into the new trenches.