Family Garden, Cranleigh, Surrey

A long running project for green-fingered clients in Cranleigh to develop a sizable plot into a family friendly space for growing, playing, relaxing and entertaining. This romantic garden was inspired by the 1920’s Arts & Crafts style house and featured many flowering trees and roses.

This project was completed in stages alongside the building works to the house with the rear garden being developed first. The existing kitchen garden was extended with an added Cutting Garden and soft fruit area. A service area was developed at the end of the garden which enabled composting and storage to be kept out of sight. A den of living willow was built by my clients and their children as the centrepiece of the hidden play area. Deep borders planted with brightly coloured blossom in the play area hid a stepping stone path between the willow den and the Wendy House.

The existing orchard was given another layer of interest by allowing the grass to grow long, planting camassias and narcissi and mowing meandering paths. Single roses were positioned to grow up the gnarled old apple trees to cascade down.

An oak pergola smothered in roses and honeysuckle was built to capture morning sun. This is discretely lit with copper downlighters to allow the space to be used in the evening. A detailed sandstone and brick terrace add Arts & Crafts style to this space. This terrace overlooks the stone-edged wildlife pond planted with waterlilies and irises.

Behind the house a large terrace was created for dining directly off the kitchen with a separate seating area with fire pit off the drawing room.

The final phase of this project was to create the front garden and reroute the drive. The tarmac was removed and a gravel drive edged in stone with subtle lighting was installed to create a suitable introduction to this house and garden.

An oak pergola overlooks the wildlife pond planted with native water plants. Photo Eva Nemeth
The oval wildlife pond reflects the evening sun and leads the eye to the orchard beyond. Photo Eva Nemeth
A multistem acer ties in with the berberis in the beds in the main garden. Photo Eva Nemeth
The oak pergola in the main garden is generously covered with climbing roses. The mixed paving of sandstone and brick add a touch of Arts and Crafts detail which ties in the the house. Photo Eva Nemeth
Beautiful iron seats provide a place for quiet reflection in the Kitchen Garden. Photo Eva Nemeth
Raised beds in the Kitchen Garden provide flowers and vegetables for the house. Photo Eva Nemeth
Repeat flowering rose New Dawn provides a light scent and pale pink blooms through out the summer months. Photo Eva Nemeth
Climbing rose Kew Rambler has single blooms to attract bees and pollinators to the garden. Photo Eva Nemeth
Climbing roses and encouraged to grow up the fruit trees in the orchard. Photo Eva Nemeth
The garden was planted to encourage pollinators.
A view of the Pergola and Paving in the first year before the roses grew up the supports
The pergola decorated for a major birthday
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