Modern wildlife garden, Liverpool

Modern wildlife garden, Liverpool

My clients wanted to create a contemporary garden with lots of different places to sit, that was buzzing with wildlife. Their existing raised patio felt disconnected from a lower uninviting lawn with narrow planting beds. My sketch design was all about pulling you into the garden, creating immersive spaces surrounded by rich planting. The design has a geometric layout, twisted 45 degrees to the house, to create different pockets for seating and long views on the diagonals. The existing patio connects to the garden via a series of steps within terraced gravel planting. A corten fence, on the same 45 degree angle, creates a hidden space for compost and a garden shed with green roof.

Although contemporary in appearance, the dense planting with lots of flowers, some of which are natives like Viper Bugloss, enhances the wildlife value and biodiversity. My client planted up my scheme in autumn 2021 and, through their care, it has been flourishing. As the seasons change different parts of the garden peak in interest. I particularly like the terraced gravel garden it’s full of drought tolerant plants many from the Mediterranean with flowers in soft shades of purples, blues and purples – all suited to the sandy loam soil. The red poppies appeared on their own and add a bit of fun.