Great Stukeley
Design Rationale
The design features a swale at the front of the house to collect all the rainwater from the gutters around the house. The aim of a swale is to keep the water onsite for longer before heading into the main drain outlets.
Using leftover gravel and unused York Stone from the main build. It features a wide gravel path that curves around the swale, varying in width but remaining comfortably passable. This allows the owners to walk more easily and creates a border around the swale instead of lawn, which can get muddy with foot traffic. There’s a natural flow around the swale and the front of the garden now.
The planting has a natural style, incorporating grasses and perennials for a soft and whimsical look that complements the contemporary house. Notable shrubs add architectural support to the planting. The swale allows for moisture loving plants as well as more drought tolerant towards the top, enabling a mix of different plant communities to merge.
Nick from NS Landscapes implemented the hard-landscaping of the design to perfection.
N.B. Client sourced and planted on this occasion. ARC Garden Design would normally source and plant on behalf of the customer to access good quality plants and advantageous pricing.
“There’s a natural flow around the swale and the front garden now”
Construction with Before and After photographs
“This is an eco house with attention given to sustainable materials. A swale will bring in wildlife and have a positive impact on biodiversity”
Planting Palette
“Grasses, ferns and iris will provide ground cover in the wetter area, whilst transluscent taller grasses and shrubs will offer structure and movement.”