Garden design - Stream-side garden - mid Devon

The clients wished to celebrate the existing woodland edge, stream-side character and ecology of their garden. They wanted a space buzzing with plant and animal life, and for the design, construction and maintenance of the garden to be sustainable and adaptable. After many years of living and working abroad, this was a place to put down roots. The garden had to be a safe space for their young grandchildren to explore, but not sanitised and manicured. Many of the plants were propagated by the client - there was no hurry, and the garden is still evolving.

Design triggers - reflections, wonky vertical stems against strong horizontals of stream, flood plain and roof-lines, native plants, seasonal change, the challenge of periodic flooding and general wateriness.