Semi formal front garden with evergreen structure and seasonal interest

This front garden was designed to create a calm and welcoming entrance to the house while working carefully with the conditions of the site. Beneath a mature conifer and surrounded by pleached hedging, the space already had a strong architectural framework. The challenge was to introduce planting that would feel lush and elegant without becoming cluttered or difficult to maintain.

The design centres on a sculptural bench beneath the tree, surrounded by a restrained composition of evergreen planting. Clipped yew forms provide the underlying structure, arranged to guide the eye gently through the space and create a sense of rhythm and movement. These architectural shapes are softened with layered evergreen shrubs and textural groundcover planting, creating depth and fullness while maintaining clarity.

Rather than trying to change the soil conditions, the planting palette was carefully selected to thrive in the garden’s alkaline, sandy loam soil and the dry shade created by the tree canopy. Species such as sweet box, Japanese laurel, butcher’s broom and sedge provide resilience, year-round structure and subtle seasonal interest, with soft whites and lilac tones appearing quietly among the dominant greens.

The result is a composed and elegant front garden that feels both structured and natural. From the front door, the eye is drawn through the planting to the bench, while from the street the layered evergreen forms create a calm and welcoming first impression.

This project reflects my approach to garden design: observing the conditions carefully, understanding how a space is used, and creating planting schemes that are both beautiful and sustainable over time.