Compact Woburn Courtyard

Location
Woburn Sands, Buckinghamshire

Design Presentation
August 2019

Finishing Touches
March 2020

concrete garden before garden design in Woburn

Before image

small garden space transformed by planting and good design

Garden Design Brief

Elements of the design focused on sound over scent. The brief included a desire to bring in more wildlife, to allow for some occasional flower arranging from the garden, and to enhance the accessibility of the space. Car access needed to be retained to one of the garages.

frothy heuchera blooms disguising the Woburn garden behind

contrasting ground cover plants and gravel against plank paving

secluded seating area surrounded by planting

Secluded Garden Seating

The barren concrete was brought to life with raised beds, which elevated the planting level up to the eye of the seated beholder. This also created intrigue by blocking some of the space from view, inviting the viewer to explore the wider area and offering the opportunity for seclusion, in a place where space is a premium.

Raised Planting Beds

The raised beds and planters offered not only a close-up view of the plants and the wildlife that soon returned to the space, but also reduced the amount of work needed to maintain the space, allowing the gardener to work without much bending.

garden lighting illuminating planting in a small Woburn garden

Garden Lighting Design

Lighting extended the use of the space and added drama to the architectural bamboos, which offer the opportunity for sound to permeate the area and distract from surrounding ambient noise. Careful Bamboo cultivar selection and appropriate root protection were used to ensure these statuesque plant remained contained within the designed garden and the visitor could take advantage of their stunning form and subtle rustling in the wind.

Red leaved Acer under planted by ferns and heuchera

yellow grasses and planting in raised planting beds

A combination of hardscaping materials were used to create individual spaces in the garden and the gravel was stabilized to allow for that classic gravel sound, without that sinking sand feeling.

garden spaces created using raised bends and landscaping materials

“Amber did a fantastic job of developing and incorporating our ideas and transforming our front and rear gardens; from what were a small barren cobbled front yard and a rear concrete car park, to spaces of peace, beauty and tranquillity. Using modern and traditional materials, she was able to create a subdivided garden that feels much larger than it is. The design plans of the layout and planting scheme gave a great indication of how the gardens would look when completed. Amber also helped to lay out the plants when they were delivered, which was a great help. She used a great mix of types of plants that are complimentary, will give year-round colour and are already flourishing. Amber’s bubbly personality and enthusiasm is infectious and her passion is clear to see. Thanks Amber; we are absolutely delighted with our gardens!”

Images are shared with thanks to and permission from the client.