Portfolio of an award winning garden designed by Elks-Smith Garden Design.

1. Elks Smith Garden Design Large contemporary Dorset country garden portfolio

2. Requirements This idyllic Dorset farmhouse used to be two separate properties. Yet once again the house and its building have been combined. With a stunning interior, Elks-Smith Garden Design were required toreplicate a beautiful garden to match the surrounding meadows and rolling hills.

3. The entrance garden The entrance garden is swept by icy cold north east winds in the winter. Tall wispy plants create fantastic texture and creates soothing movement in the wind.

4. The main garden The separated grounds needed to combine and connect with the contemporary interior and the timeless landscape in which it sits. Strong structural elements are softened by lush planting that catch the breeze in this south westerly windswept garden.

5. The old driveway The old driveway has been replaced by a beautiful traditional summer meadow. Bulbs have been added to give the meadow an early burst of colour in spring. For the functional greenhouse, vegetable and fruit growing areas have a mown path for easy access.

6. Walk Way Features Before its re-design, there was a sharp drop from the main entrance. To blend the two levels together, Elks-Smith Garden design replaced the drop with a generous walkway that steps gently into the landscape, away from the house allowing the viewer to enjoy the fabulous views of the wider landscape.

7. Seasonal Planting To keep the garden looking it’s best and to provide something joyous throughout the year Elks-Smith Garden design have used various ornamental grasses. In addition these grasses create changing layers throughout the seasons.

8. Local, natural materials Purbeck stone is gorgeous and to retain the Dorset country look, the stone is used in different forms to give varied textures underfoot and on the walls.

9. Achievements Elks-Smith Garden Design are very exited as this garden has been selected for the Garden Design Journal review of the year winning entry and front cover!