Pophleys

At this Berkshire estate, RSL introduced a riot of colour for all seasons plus some spectacular focal points to connect the house to its potentially lovely but forlorn landscape.

The faded garden was restored to its former glory with shrubs, and an abundance of foxgloves, delphiniums, salvia and ornamental grasses.

A clever pergola was devised to transform an odd sunken feature, resulting in a stunning space full of year-round colour and interest. A sad, isolated pond was given an entirely new lease of life with flower borders and a couple of bronze ducks to add humour.

The main garden that the house looked onto was planted with low hedges and elegant pencil-thin cypresses around a central reflection pool.

RSL then planted the underused, gravelled wall garden and other areas with roses, poppies and fragrant lavender and honeysuckle, giving the garden a lovely sense of unrestrained exuberance.

At the side of the house, scruffy gravel was replaced with York stone paving and a neglected flowerbed planted with irises, roses, peonies and lady’s mantle.  From being marooned in an unkempt and unloved landscape, the house now nestles happily in a joyous, beautiful English country garden.