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The building of an extension had resulted in unnatural-looking contours, and the owners wanted to make the house sit more happily in its landscape as well as making the most of the beautiful setting and views. We re-shaped the land making a level sheltered sitting area next to the house, creating a sunken lawn where there had once been a mill pond, and contouring a slope to echo the hillside beyond.

Ornamental planting near the house leads to big lawns encompassed by wild flower meadows with mown paths through them. Planting at the boundaries was chosen to blend with the surrounding countryside. Clipped yew and box punctuate the meadows near the house, while further away we planted a variety of fruit trees. A productive kitchen garden at one side of the house contains a sculptural arbour that catches the afternoon sun.

The new paved areas and planting complement the Georgian house with similar balance and grace. They make use of surviving mature walnut and Indian Bean trees, and old climbing roses. Materials were chosen to harmonise with the existing handsome brickwork of the house and garden walls.

The owners are keen gardeners, so the planting was developed through extensive consultation in order to provide much-loved plants as well as introducing species and varieties new to them; tired planting was replaced or revived, and ample new borders give room for development.

‘Mediterranean’ planting in a formal walled garden changes with the seasons, providing interest at all times of the year as one passes through en-route to the kitchen garden or views it from the pool house. In summer the pool house doors are thrown open and this sheltered garden offers a haven amidst the colours and scents.

A rejuvenation of a very long border leading up to a lovingly restored Edwardian house. Traditional plants including roses, irises, foxgloves and daylilies are used in bold sweeps to give rhythmic interweaving swathes of colour and texture.

The owners were attracted to build here by the mature beech wood on this half-acre plot. However, the new house was sited at an awkward angle and high above an existing Victorian terrace. By creating a series of levels and changing the direction of steps onto the lower terrace, and also by planting beech hedges to make a transition from house to wood, I harmonised house and surroundings.

The large terrace, level lawn and lower play area with climbing frame provide plenty of play space for the young family, while the upper and lower terraces make generous and pleasant areas for entertaining. Several semi-mature trees give instant height between the house and beech wood. I chose the plants to give colour and year-round interest, and the owners particularly enjoy the movement and seasonal changes given by the ornamental grasses.

The owner wanted his garden to reflect the modern interior of his house, a bold conversion of a Victorian schoolhouse. He wanted a dramatic but easy-to-maintain space for entertaining. The former school playground was an inhospitable site for a garden, and drills and pickaxes were needed to make pockets for soil.

I based the design around a simple concept that echoed the architecture and materials of the building, both inside and out. I used Indian Kotah stone, gravel, stainless steel, timber and cast concrete to build the garden. Emphatic planting with contrasting textures is strongly architectural. A timber platform backed by evergreen and largely aromatic plants makes a sunny sitting area. Instead of a conventional lawn, I created two raised, serpentine and undulating beds along one side of the house, one of mown grass and the other of tall meadow grasses, separated by a gravel valley.

The only possible garden space for this handsome Victorian house was a narrow strip, just over 3 metres at its widest, between one side of the house and the street.

Nevertheless, a sense of both space and privacy have been created by a careful use of materials and colour, giving a sunny sheltered sitting area with a view through planting along a gravel path to a large ceramic urn.

Simple but carefully chosen plants give shape, movement and colour. The trellis and arch repeat architectural features of the house. From inside, views of planting replace blank wall or privet hedge.