The Vicarage

This garden has been a project of mine for almost four years, worked on intermittently, following a stunning architectural remodel of this characterful building. The clients, with their refined taste, passion, and love for interior design "gillmorespace', have ensured that beauty and elegance are evident throughout the property.

The brief was to create an outdoor entertaining space that would maximise the breathtaking views of the Dart River in Devon while providing a relaxing environment for leisure and barbecues. A natural grey stone terrace was designed, complemented by lush evergreen hedging to offer both privacy and structure. A magnificent magnolia was carefully placed to enhance the view from inside the house, while an abundance of shady planting helped to soften the overall look.

Blending tradition with modernity, we introduced a formal element through a simple knot garden, acknowledging the historical significance of the building while maintaining a seamless visual connection with the river. A black contemporary pergola was later added, providing a striking contrast and serving as a support for a stunning white wisteria to climb over time.

The boundary consisted of a large old conifer hedge, which was removed and replaced with a new yew hedge, complemented by pleached hornbeam trees added last year. Large planting borders were introduced, featuring white Japanese anemones, neatly clipped green yew balls, and a modern mix of grasses, verbena, salvias, and alliums to ensure year-round colour and interest.

This project beautifully demonstrates how a garden evolves over time, adapting to new inspirations and the changing needs of a family while maintaining its timeless charm.