Canterbury

This design in Canterbury was carefully considered to leave a lasting, memorable impact on everyone who steps into the garden. We wanted to combine the modern style of contemporary living with the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside.

From the outset, we focused on incorporating various shapes and textures to complement the home’s clean, contemporary style — the house had strong, straight lines, so the garden needed to reflect that same sense of order. At the same time, we wanted to bring in natural elements that softened the overall look and let the wild Kentish landscape feel present throughout. Careful planning of how the constructed and natural elements blend together gave this design in Canterbury a calm, inviting feel.

We designed this garden to make it feel as though there were different areas and interests throughout the garden. For example, there were quiet spaces to unwind and a sleek, functional space for entertainment that was perfect for spending time with family and friends. This approach to the design in Canterbury ensured the outside space is both lovely to look at and genuinely useful for everyday life.

We used a careful mix of materials and heights throughout, with every element chosen to make the garden as attractive as possible — from the planting beds bursting with colour and texture to the modern slabs and warm wood accents.

The planting plan brings together grasses with varied textures, bold perennials, and flowers that bloom at different times of the year, including Echinacea, Verbena, Achillea, Agastache, and Stipa. Together, this design in Canterbury gives the garden a classic country feel that ties everything together.

Planting was an important focus for this design in Canterbury, Kent. The planting adds colour, movement and all-round interest, with wildflower areas offering a modern take on traditional cottage garden planting. These fit perfectly with the house’s modern lines while benefiting pollinators and wildlife. The selected wildflowers bloom throughout spring, summer and autumn, keeping the garden alive and changing all year round. This approach softens the hard landscaping in the design and helps the garden feel more at home in the surrounding Canterbury countryside.

In the centre of the entertaining area we placed a Corten steel firepit surrounded by specially designed permanent seating. This section of the garden creates a natural place to sit and talk. The deep, reddish tones of the Corten steel sit beautifully against the green planting and reflect the colours of the wider Canterbury landscape.

The firepit and benches have sleek, modern lines that complement the style of the house, while careful planting around the area makes it feel softer and more private — helping the firepit feel like a natural part of the overall design in Canterbury.

At the centre of the garden, a striking aluminium water table provides a focal point. The bright water brings the garden to life, reflecting the sky, while planting around the table creates a calm spot — a good place to think and unwind. The aluminium gives the feature a sleek, modern style that complements the house, and the surrounding planting helps it feel softer and more at home in this design in Canterbury.

Built by Haywood Landscapes

Designed and planted by Ivy & Whyte Garden Design

Plants from Palmstead Nurseries Ltd