At the far end of the garden we introduced a new wildlife pond framed by wildflower planting using https://wildflowerturf.co.uk/ native range. This introduced biodiversity, which was an important factor for the client. A curved resin-bound gravel path leads visitors through the space. This allowed the client to explore their garden in ways they hadn’t before, with interest and pause points along the way. Its light colour and smooth texture introduce a contemporary edge whilst also being practical and perfect for moving a wheelbarrow.

The middle section of the garden has been designed as a flexible sunken lawn space, bordered with perennial beds that ensure seasonal interest throughout the year. We kept a lot of the existing trees in the garden to ensure birds could continue thriving in the space.  The flowerbeds have been carefully planned with layers of colour, texture, and movement. As garden designers in Brighton, we are constantly faced with the elements so these plants are hardy but also provide bright blooms in summer, ornamental grasses and structural foliage that gives the garden depth even in winter.

The upper terrace of the garden forms the entertainment hub of the garden. We have introduced a sunken firepit with a floating bench, surrounding by tall colourful planting. The terrace offers an elevated perspective of the garden, with views stretching down across the lawn and pond whilst also screening the shed at the bottom of the garden.

The planting style blends traditional charm with modern elements which is perfectly innkeeping with the renovated house. Wildflowers and native prairie style planting give the naturalistic aesthetic, while crisp Corten steel edged pathways, a floating bench, and clean architectural lines provide a contemporary balance. The material palette was chosen carefully to complement the house, picking tones from within the existing brickwork and introducing more warm tones and textures that tie the outdoor spaces to the brick and timber of the property.

Overall, this Brighton and Hove garden demonstrates how a sloping, underused plot can be reinvented into a layered, multifunctional landscape. By incorporating spaces for wildlife, relaxation, play, and entertaining, it hosts the perfect balance between practicality and beauty.

Some of our key plants that we used for this space, that we know will thrive in Brighton are: Echinacea White Swan, Erigeron, Anemanthele Lessonia, Stipa Tennuisima and Echinops. The client wanted a mixed palette whilst also giving the appearance of a smooth tone, so we minimised the bright reds and introduced warmer orange tones to match the use of corten steel and red brick in the design.

All of the plants were supplied by https://alpha.palmstead.co.uk/ and planted by the team at Ivy & Whyte.