Woodbury Garden Redesign
The art of concealing and enhancing to make the most of a country garden
Woodbury: Blending privacy, structure and serenity in a rural Kent setting
Set in rural Kent, the Woodbury Garden project demonstrates how thoughtful design can conceal unwanted views while highlighting the beauty of a natural landscape. Our brief was to soften the garden’s edges, draw attention inward, and create a cohesive space full of structure, colour, and calm.
Woodbury Rural House, Kent
The Challenge: SCREEN AND CREATE INTEREST
This garden presented a classic design problem — how to reduce the visual impact of neighbouring structures without resorting to heavy screening. Our goal was to use planting and layout to redirect the eye, creating interest and balance while keeping the sense of openness that defines a country garden.
From the outset, we focused on guiding the view. Carefully chosen focal points, like a statement tree and sculptural planters, now hold the gaze within the garden. Layered planting adds rhythm and movement, encouraging you to explore rather than look beyond the boundaries.
From the outset, we focused on guiding the view. Carefully chosen focal points, like a statement tree and sculptural planters, now hold the gaze within the garden. Layered planting adds rhythm and movement, encouraging you to explore rather than look beyond the boundaries.
Designing with Purpose: Concealing and Captivating
Soil Improvement and Lawn Renovation
Like many new-build gardens, Woodbury suffered from poor soil quality — a thin layer of topsoil over heavy clay and rubble. We carried out extensive soil conditioning and drainage improvement before laying a new, high-quality lawn. The edges were defined with EverEdge™ Classic flexible steel edging in slate, bringing precision and polish to the design.
Thoughtful Planting Plan: Pleached Holly Oaks and More
A structured planting scheme formed the backbone of the garden. Pleached holly oaks line the right boundary, providing subtle height and privacy without dominating the space. Beneath them, layered perennials and shrubs add texture and year-round colour, giving the garden depth and vibrancy through every season.
Softening the Landscape: Curves and Strategic Placement
To break up the straight lines typical of new developments, we introduced sweeping curves and soft transitions between zones. A curved path leads to a feature tree and a simple bench — focal points that invite pause and reflection while naturally drawing attention away from boundary lines.
A garden should demonstrate unity, balance, rhythm, proportion, and harmony.”
—Barker & Farris Design Philosophy
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