The Enthusiast

Flexible, deep, built for tinkering and growth

A garden for the curious and committed. Room to experiment, learn, and evolve. This design provides the framework; you bring the passion. Perfect for gardeners who want to dig deep and make the space truly their own.

The Philosophy

Some gardeners want a finished product. The Enthusiast is for those who want a canvas-a garden that provides structure and support for ongoing experimentation and learning.

This design prioritizes flexibility and potential over immediate completeness. We create the hard landscaping and framework, but leave generous space for you to develop the planting over time. It's a garden designed to grow with your skills and interests.

Key Features

Generous Borders

Wide, deep planting beds with good soil-ready for you to develop with the plants and combinations you discover over time.

Flexible Hardscaping

Simple, adaptable surfaces-gravel, paving, or decking-that can be rearranged or extended as your needs evolve.

Propagation Zone

Space for seed sowing, cuttings, and divisions-a dedicated nursery area for your experiments.

Trellis Framework

Strong support structures ready for climbers, espaliers, or vertical growing experiments you haven't thought of yet.

Greenhouse Ready

Level, prepared site with power and water access for a future greenhouse or polytunnel.

Storage Solutions

Practical space for tools, pots, compost, and all the accumulating paraphernalia of an active gardener.

The Planting Approach

The Enthusiast garden starts with a foundation of reliable plants but leaves significant space for your own discoveries. We provide the bones; you flesh it out.

The Starter Palette

We establish a base layer of structural plants-shrubs, grasses, and hardy perennials that provide year-round form and don't mind being moved or divided as you develop the design.

Reliable shrubs - Hydrangeas, viburnums, cornus-for structure and learning pruning
Grasses - Miscanthus, stipa, panicum-for texture and seasonal interest
Workhorse perennials - Echinacea, sedum, rudbeckia-easy, satisfying, good for division

The Experimental Zones

Generous space left for your own plantings-annuals from seed, unusual perennials, trial vegetables, or cut flower patches. These areas are designed to be changed and developed over seasons.

The Collection Framework

Specific areas designed for particular interests you might develop: a rose bed ready for varieties you fall in love with, a shade border for woodland plants, or a hot border for tropical effects.

Layout Principles

The Enthusiast garden is designed as a series of connected spaces that can evolve independently:

Zone 1: The Core Terraced

A simple, well-built seating area near the house-your reward for a session in the garden and a place to contemplate your next project.

Zone 2: The Main Borders

Two deep, parallel borders with a path between them-the classic format that allows for layering, succession, and experimentation. These are your main canvas.

Zone 3: The Working Area

Compost bays, a potting bench, and propagation space. This is where the real gardening happens-practical, purposeful, not hidden away.

Zone 4: The Developing Edges

Boundary areas with basic planting that provides privacy now, but can be developed into specialty collections over time-maybe a shrub border, a rose collection, or a mini-orchard.

Zone 5: The Flexible Plot

A designated area for changing projects-vegetables one year, a wildflower meadow experiment the next, or a dedicated cutting garden. This is your sandbox.

Maintenance Level

Variable-You Decide. The Enthusiast garden can absorb as much or as little time as you give it. The basic framework is low maintenance, but the joy is in the ongoing development.

Expect regular engagement: weekly walks to see what's changing, seasonal tasks of dividing and moving plants, and continuous small experiments. This is a garden for people who find maintenance meditative and creative, not burdensome.