Award Winner
Domestic Garden Construction – Soft Landscaping
Private garden near Cardiff
Designer: Mark Draper
This garden design aimed to bring softness, structure, and interest to a newly built property, while enhancing the existing landscape elements.
We worked closely with the client to ensure that the planting balanced visual appeal with practical, low-maintenance solutions.
Galleries
Garden Transformation
In front of the house, we transformed the lawn areas by removing the grass and replacing it with thoughtful planting. This helped to soften the overall view and created a feeling of setting the house back from the drive. To maintain a refined aesthetic, Yew balls were added to the front borders, providing winter structure, and we used a restricted colour palette for a sophisticated look.
An island in the drive opposite the front door had created awkward dead space and made parking and turning particularly difficult for visitors. As part of the redesign, the island was removed, and the drive corner was squared off to improve functionality. (Drive works carried out by others.)
In the rear garden, the focus was on reducing the visual dominance of the swimming pool and establishing planting that wrapped around the garden’s perimeter while still leaving space for activities like football. Parasol Hornbeams were introduced around the pool area to add height and structure, and paving adjacent to the house was lifted in places to allow foundation planting to soften the rear of the property.
Planting and Structure
Yew hedging was used to create different garden sections, including screening for the composting area. Ornamental trees were carefully selected for year-round interest, featuring spring blossoms, fruits, berries, and autumn foliage. To help manage maintenance, Tech-line irrigation was installed throughout, and shredded bark mulch was added to all borders and hedges to retain moisture and suppress weeds. The design aimed to ensure a balance of structured planting and soft, visually appealing elements.
Though the planting is still young, the garden is already beginning to reflect the transformation envisioned. The combination of soft planting, alongside structured hedging and trees, is shaping the garden into an elegant yet practical space. Distinct garden zones are being created that are easy to maintain while delivering aesthetic appeal.
The client is delighted with the outcome so far. The garden design successfully met the brief, and as the planting matures, the space will grow in beauty, becoming a more charming and integral part of the home. The carefully considered design choices made now ensure that the garden will continue to evolve and enhance the property’s overall atmosphere, building a stronger connection between the home and its natural surroundings.
The Completed Garden
During construction
Before we started
