Coastal front garden

The brief was to transform an overgrown and under-used front garden in Hove, near the sea. The owner wanted a secluded suntrap, where she could sit after work and relax. She is a keen gardener, so it is a plant-focused design, held together with a simple curved wall. Plants are pollinator friendly and drought tolerant (xeriscaping). A notional 'escape' path across the shingle takes you to a driftwood chair by Ben Fearnside.
INNOVATION: A bespoke driftwood container with tall airy plants is used to screen the private garden from the driveway and street.
Click here for design mood board and planting plan
Notional path through planting leads to driftwood chair.
Saliva, achillea, erysimum & hellebores provide year-round bee food.
Formal wall becomes a curve containing informal planting.
Sculptural planter screens garden from road.
Bespoke made by local craftsman Ben Fearnside.
Tall narrow plants: vinca, nandina & salvia 'Amistad'.
Garden before
Overgrown border and wild lawn.
The new design.
Where is the house?