Traditional
Hove
This Garden Design Hove’s back garden was in need of drastic change and adventure. For Hove gardens, sloped gardens are all too common. This gradient created challenges within the space, so we turned the plot into a winding multi-levelled garden. The far end of the garden turned into a much loved vegetable-patch and relaxing seating by a new pond and wildflower bed. The middle level became a lawn space surrounded by colourful perennial planting and the upper terrace became a dining space with a sunken firepit. Despite the garden being a more traditional style we added many modern elements such as a gravel resin pathway and floating bench. The material palette works well to compliment the house and the wildflower planting.
About
Build by Brookland Landscapes
Designed and Planted by Ivy & Whyte Garden Design
Plants from Palmstead Nurseries Ltd
Spec
Design 2024
Planting 2024
Completed 2025
The upper terrace forms the entertainment hub of the garden. In this area, we created a sunken firepit with a floating bench, surrounded by tall, colourful planting. This elevated terrace offers stunning views across the lawn and pond while also screening the shed at the bottom of the garden. For clients seeking premium Garden Design Hove, features like this combine functional outdoor living with visual impact, creating spaces that are both beautiful and practical.
The planting style seamlessly blends traditional charm with modern touches, perfectly complementing the renovated house. Native wildflowers and prairie-style planting provide a naturalistic aesthetic, while clean architectural lines, crisp Corten steel-edged pathways, and a floating bench introduce contemporary balance. Our Garden Design Hove approach carefully selects materials to harmonise with the existing brickwork and timber, introducing warm tones and textures that tie the outdoor spaces to the property while enhancing visual cohesion across terraces.
At the far end of this Brighton and Hove garden, we introduced a wildlife pond framed with wildflower planting from Wildflower Turf’s native range, creating a vibrant hub for biodiversity — a key priority for the client. As part of our Garden Design Hove services, we incorporated a curved resin-bound gravel path to guide visitors through the space. This path allows the garden to be explored in ways the client hadn’t experienced before, with natural pause points and areas of interest along the way. Its light colour and smooth texture add a contemporary edge while remaining practical for daily use, including moving wheelbarrows and garden maintenance.
The middle section of the garden was designed as a flexible sunken lawn space, bordered with perennial beds that ensure seasonal interest throughout the year. As expert Garden Design Hove specialists, we retained many of the existing trees to provide habitat for birds, ensuring wildlife thrives alongside the family-friendly spaces. The flowerbeds were meticulously planned with layers of colour, texture, and movement. Our Garden Design Hove approach prioritises plants that can withstand Brighton’s coastal conditions, combining hardy species with bright summer blooms, ornamental grasses, and structural foliage to maintain depth and interest throughout the winter months.
Overall, this Hove garden demonstrates how a sloping, previously underused plot can be transformed into a layered, multifunctional landscape. By incorporating zones for wildlife, relaxation, play, and entertaining, our Garden Design Hove project achieves the perfect balance between practicality and beauty. Every detail, from planting to materials, reflects the principles of professional Garden Design Hove, creating a garden that is both inviting and sustainable.
Key plants in this design, chosen for their resilience and suitability to Brighton’s coastal climate, include Echinacea White Swan, Erigeron, Anemanthele Lessonia, Stipa Tennuisima, and Echinops. The client requested a mixed palette with smooth tonal transitions, so bright reds were minimised in favour of warmer oranges to complement the Corten steel and red brick elements.
All plants were supplied by Palmstead, a trusted horticultural provider, and planted by the skilled team at Ivy & Whyte. This level of care and attention exemplifies how professional Garden Design Hove combines creative vision with horticultural expertise to deliver gardens that thrive in both form and function.
