Richmond Garden

Nestled along the riverbank, this garden is situated in the most delightful setting.

The herbaceous border in this Richmond garden reflects the afternoon and evening light whilst hiding the swimming pool from the lawn.
The herbaceous border in this Richmond garden reflects the afternoon and evening light whilst hiding the swimming pool from the lawn.
Stage 1

The Brief

The clients were keen gardeners who loved their garden, and wanted to spend more time on it, but felt they needed guidance with the bigger picture. The existing space offered lots of potential but needed structure and shape to maximise the size and to blend with the outdoor swimming pool and studio they wanted to install.

Stage 2

Design and Build

Our intention was to create visual drama as you enter the driveway through the back gates, and to partially screen the house. This was achieved by planting an avenue of ornamental Pear Trees, off set with clipped rows of beech hedging and rich herbaceous planting.

We designed a 3m wide footpath of reclaimed granite kerbstones through the lawn, to allow direct access to the front door. This path forms a striking linear design that works with the strong geometry created by the clipped rows of Beech hedges.

These dynamic lines were very much needed to detract from the asymmetric shape of the existing garden. The design of the swimming pool and garden room is a key feature. We chose to create a dramatic stone clad feature wall adjacent to the pool that has 5 wide spouts that pour into the pool, and create a tantalising sound.

The dynamic path made of granite kerbstones takes you all the way to the hardwood deck, along some big herbaceous borders and tall beech hedges. A table and chairs are sitting on the lawn, under the old existing walnut tree.
The dynamic path made of granite kerbstones takes you all the way to the hardwood deck, along some big herbaceous borders and tall beech hedges. A table and chairs are sitting on the lawn, under the old existing walnut tree.
A step down from the hardwood deck onto the walking path leads to the lawn and the garage at the rear of this Richmond garden. The tall beech hedges break up the space, giving a rhythm to the planting.
A step down from the hardwood deck onto the walking path leads to the lawn and the garage at the rear of this Richmond garden. The tall beech hedges break up the space, giving a rhythm to the planting.
Stage 3

Finished Project

The most interesting existing feature is the beautiful Walnut tree that overhangs a central section of the lawn; its position was key to our design, and the views through to other hidden areas. The overall planting scheme is a rich tapestry of pinks, purples, magentas, blues and whites, offering seasonal interest and wonderful coppery tones in autumn with the Beech hedging and grasses.

The garden for this modest riverside Richmond house is very much appreciated by the clients who continue to be keen gardeners when time allows, and offers them plenty of opportunities for extending their horticultural skills.

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Close up of Gaura lindheimeiri against the garage at the back of this Richmond garden, near the Thames. It catches the evening sun perfectly.
The swimming pool of this Richmond garden has a striking, bespoke feature wall with stainless steel spouts. The top of the stone clad wall is planted with soft grasses, Anemanthele lessoniana, to fall over the edge. The bespoke outdoor room acts as a changing room and gym.
The swimming pool of this Richmond garden has a bespoke feature wall with striking stainless steel spouts. The water falls into the pool, creating drama and a visual feature.
Some corner steps allow access into the water from the hardwood decking. The swimming pool and its ceramic tiles is a light blue colour and reflects the sky in this Richmond garden.
View above the swimming pool in this Richmond garden, framed by a double beech hedge, Fagus sylvestris, towards the bespoke outdoor room.
The swimming pool is bordered by tall grasses, Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’, just behind the sandstone coping. At the end, a beech hedge retains its leaves longer in autumn. Above the wall, some Anemanthele lessoniana.
The beech hedges, Fagus sylvatica, create rooms in the garden, separating the lawn from the deck. The swimming pool above is bordered by a big herbaceous planting bed, in full flower in summer. This Richmond garden gets a lot of colours from late spring to winter.
A close up of the granite path. The tall beech hedges frame the step up to the deck in this Richmond garden.
A shady corner becomes the perfect hidden place to have breakfast in the morning. A table and some chairs are installed under the old mature walnut tree, Juglans regia.
The herbaceous planting in full bloom with Gaura lindheimeri, Echinacea purpurea, Aster x frikartii, Persicaria ‘Firetails’, Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ on either sides of the lawn. They catch up the evening light very well.
Detail of the planting in this Richmond garden, with Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’, Echinacea purpurea’ Aster x frikartii, Anemanthele lessoniana. This herbaceous border becomes the separation between the lawn and swimming pool.
The herbaceous planting in full bloom with Gaura lindheimeri, Echinacea purpurea, Aster x frikartii, Persicaria ‘Firetails’, Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ on either sides of the lawn. At the back, a mature walnut tree and some hedges create a dense green backdrop.
Close up detail of Echinacea purpurea flowers, part of the herbaceous perennial border, in this Richmond garden.
The Persicaria, Calamagrostis and Gaura tumble over the hardwood deck, softening its edges. The granite kerb stepping stones through the lawn in the distance become a strong visual link to the back of the garden in this Richmond garden.
The hardwood timber deck leads to the steps up to the swimming pool and to the house on the other side. Some herbaceous borders are situated on the side, breaking up the strong lines. A white rendered wall in this Richmond garden is planted with overhanging perennials.
The herbaceous planting in full bloom with Gaura lindheimeri, Echinacea purpurea, Aster x frikartii, Persicaria ‘Firetails’, Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ on either sides of the lawn.
Some chairs and a table are positioned in the lawn to enjoy the herbaceous planting along the stepping stones path. The beech hedges provide intimacy from the house and the swimming pool in this Richmond garden.
The afternoon sun is reflected through the Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ in this Richmond garden.
Front of the house in this Richmond garden, facing the Thames, composed of gravel paths and lawn. A bold planting of Alchmilla mollis is dotted with some clipped box balls, Buxus sempervirens, and some multistem Amelanchier trees.
View of the Richmond garden at the start of relandscaping and redesigning by the team at London Garden Designer.
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Photos by Marianne Majerus