Creating a garden from scratch can be an exciting opportunity but knowing where to begin can be a challenge. From choosing the right layout and planting to making the most of sunlight and creating a space that works for everyday life, there’s plenty to consider.
At Oakland Grove in Chiddingfold, we worked with local gardener Rhys Long at Utopia Gardens to turn a blank canvas into a contemporary show garden, to complement one of our new homes.
With most of his landscaping work taking place within the village, the project was also a chance to create something special in the community where he grew up. We caught up with Rhys to find out how he approached the design, what inspired him and his advice for anyone starting with a new-build garden of their own.
Q: When you first saw the garden at Oakland Grove, how did you approach such a large blank canvas?
A: The garden size at Oakland Grove is really impressive and it was nice to have such a big area to work with, as a lot of our usual project work is within much smaller gardens. We had a quick discussion as a team and knew straight away what the rough layout would be.
The main priority was making sure the lawn space was kept large enough for family use, while also ensuring the planting beds were nicely sized without becoming too high maintenance for the eventual homeowner.
Q: How did the interior style of the house inform your approach, and how did you turn that into a starting point for the design?
A: The interior of the house is very contemporary, so we knew we needed to carry that style throughout the garden. We used straight lines, right angles, contemporary planting and a low-maintenance approach to tie everything together and complement the modern aesthetics of the house.
The edging used for the seating area was colour matched to the windows and door frames, which helped to tie the garden back into the house and create a more cohesive look.
Q: How did you transform the blank canvas into the finished garden?
A: We started by discussing the size of the borders, making sure they were large enough to have interesting plants in them, but not so large that they would require constant maintenance. These days, low maintenance is what people tend to opt for, so that was an important consideration from the beginning.
Once the borders had been dug out to size, we calculated what would make a good seating area for the morning sun. We wanted enough space for a good-sized table and chairs, so we incorporated this into the back right corner of the garden, with plenty of planting around the perimeter.
The result is an interesting, gravelled seating area that provides somewhere to sit and relax while also softening the edges of the space.
Q: Were there particular plants, materials or features that were important to you? Either that work well with local area/soil type or that suited the general scale of the garden?
A: There were a few things we needed to consider. The existing tree line at the rear creates dappled shade throughout the day, so our main aim was to ensure that all the planting could tolerate some shade, while still getting enough sunlight to thrive.
The soil in Chiddingfold also has a high clay content, meaning it retains moisture. Some plants like this, while others prefer more free-draining conditions, so this was another important consideration when selecting the planting.
We also thought carefully about how the garden would look from inside the house. We wanted a good focal point to look out towards, which is why we incorporated a larger feature corner of planting with a multi-stem birch tree at its centre, surrounded by plenty of interesting planting.
We wanted to make the patio area more interesting than simply having a large, paved surface. Around the perimeter, we dug out narrow borders and incorporated Euonymus topiary balls, interplanted with Nepeta. We also added a central grass pathway between the two sides, creating a nice entrance onto the lawn.
Q: You grew up in Chiddingfold and do most of your work in the village, what does it mean to you to have created a garden at Oakland Grove so close to home?
A: It was a great opportunity to be able to work with Elivia Homes to design and construct a garden for one of its new homes here and take on the challenge of a large new-build garden. Most of our work is within the village, so it’s great to add another one to the portfolio and showcase what we can do.
Q: Finally, what advice would you give someone moving into a new-build home with a blank garden?
A: Don’t rush into anything. Live with the space as it is for several seasons and understand the ground conditions, sun positioning and what you think you would benefit from having. I’ve worked for people who rush into things and then regret their decisions, so it’s important to take time. Jot down ideas and maybe even mark out on the lawn before breaking ground.
Ideas change the more you think about it, so give yourself time and make sure you only have to have the expense once.
Its advice rooted in a project close to home for Rhys and one that's now part of the fabric of Oakland Grove itself.
Discover Oakland Grove
Set in the picturesque village of Chiddingfold, Oakland Grove combines contemporary new homes with the character and community of this sought-after Surrey village. Offering convenient village amenities, high-quality local education and ease of access to surrounding towns and the capital – Chiddingfold is ideal for home buyers at all ages and stages of their home-buying journeys.
To find out more about the homes available at Oakland Grove and its 4 remaining properties, explore the Oakland Grove development page.
