Sue Crawford Garden Design was involved in the extensive reconstruction of the garden and fields surrounding a 16th century Cotswold Farmhouse which was the subject of considerable renovation.

An old cowyard was redesigned as a courtyard, with a contemporary theme of yew and clipped box hedges with pebble fountains to provide year round interest. Another yard was redesignated as an “Italian” garden, with a formal pond, cupressus trees and serene solely green planting. Throughout the garden herbaceous borders, ponds and courtyards were created and many trees planted including pleached hornbeams to soften the Cotswold stone walling and to screen barns.

The gardens are now open to the public in aid of charities on occasion, revealing a garden of apparent maturity yet less than 10 years old.

The professional couple at this mid-20th century house on the outskirts of Cheltenham, with a young family, decided not to move but to extend their house and create the garden of their dreams. They wanted room for the children to play and space for the adults to un-wind.

Sue Crawford Garden Design designed a “grown-up” relaxation area, with raised timber decking, a Jacuzzi, adding a white wall, with integral fireplace, to not only add to the sophisticated theme but to block off a strong prevailing wind. A two tier water feature links this area with the main dining terrace. A treehouse will be added, with additional fun equipment for the children.

Grass paths break up the previously regimented lawn. A summer house at the far end of the garden, backed by structural yew hedging will provide a focal point of the views form the house’s new extension. Work currently in progress...

Sue Crawford co-designed an award winning garden at RHS Malvern Spring Festival. The garden titled “Levels: A Garden come Rain or Shine” in the new RHS “Festival category” highlighted the effects of climate change and some of the old and new technologies used in gardens – from a solar charged garden table to rain chains used to divert water from the gutter to a pond. The garden also illustrated how nature and leisure can complement each other – with a flat screen tv on a wall of birch poles.

The garden was designed with the young urban creative “media” couple in mind to allow a “work-relax” outside space. Circles and spheres complemented by bold uprights provide sophistication and inspiration.

Planting was intentionally varied, with loose alliums and grasses (luzula nivea) counter-balanced by structural box balls interplanted with stipa tenuissima (pony tail grass). Under a weeping birch tree luxuriant herbaceous plants including hosta patriot, white foxgloves and alchemilla mollis (lady’s mantle) was used to evoke a serene, peaceful atmosphere. The theme of rain and water drops was reflected in the sinuous curves of the pond, the sensuous stool (marble/wood) and the meandering decking. The painting of the decking in trend-setting grey provided a contemporary edge.

The design highlights how important structure and simplicity are – the “less is more philosophy” creates a garden with visual and textural impact, which can be replicated in the town gardens of Cheltenham or on a larger scale in the manor houses of the Cotswolds.