Riverside Garden Design

Design response

A river-inspired garden

Everything about this garden relates to the river. A clear line of sight to the water from the terrace’s central doors informs the garden’s structure. The new rain garden that makes up the garden’s lower third accommodates the river’s overflow and makes the river accessible via a curvaceous raised walkway. 

Mediterranean gravel garden

Even the dry gravel garden, in a part of the garden where the river cannot be seen, signals the river’s presence with its rock formations and invites visitors on the journey down the garden to the water.

Following the snaking path down toward the water through dry, drought-tolerant planting and under corten steel arches, the visitor arrives at an enclosed circular clearing surrounded by planting. This is an adaptable social space that can accommodate seating, dining, and/or a fire pit.

Visitors can hop across stepping slabs (non-slip) down the water’s edge from the entertaining area, or alternately head across the garden toward the wildflower meadow and swing. 

Bog garden

Before reaching the wildflower meadow there is the option to take a raised curved boardwalk through the rain garden down to a willow arbour at the river’s edge. In doing so visitors pass through a verdant area of moisture-loving plants - a year-round bog garden that provides a constant habitat for wildlife.