Enhancing a Mature Cottage Garden

For this project in Abbots Bromley, we enriched a well-established cottage garden with carefully designed features that blend with its surroundings.

A self-sustaining wildlife pond now thrives where an old shed and leylandii tree once blocked sunlight. Planted with 12 different pond plant species, including two oxygenating varieties, the pond provides an essential habitat for amphibians and insects. A gently sloped edge allows birds and mammals to safely access fresh water, ensuring the pond supports a wide range of wildlife. As a backdrop, three Corten steel screening panels introduce a subtle focal point, framing the pond and planting area.

The new ‘Hammer Grey’ porcelain patio extends the home’s outdoor living space, mirroring the garden’s existing patio while offering ample room for alfresco dining. Reclaimed York stone cobbles border the area, balancing the clean lines of modern porcelain with a timeless cottage garden aesthetic.

To enhance vertical interest and seasonal colour, we installed a bespoke garden archway and trellises, perfect for climbing clematis. Additional planting borders now frame the space, filled with a selection of perennial species that complement the existing garden while maximising biodiversity and year-round flowering interest.