An eye for design Debbie Thomson explores a one-acre that stretches as far as the eye can see provided the owners of 262 Hatch Road in Brentwood with the challenge they had been looking for

ike and Liz Thomas programme of projects that has moved into their resulted in a series of characterful Brentwood home in of different styles, each M 1995 having already beautifully self-contained yet identified it as providing them effortlessly leading one from with the outside space they another. needed to fulfil their ambition to The plot is long, and narrow create a garden on a grandiose in comparison to its length, but small scale. and with a rural feel that is Always a keen gardener, Liz unexpected only 20 miles from had completed a Garden Design London. Indeed, at the bottom of course at Writtle University the garden you are met by fields College and there developed and woodland, largely untouched the skills required to make the for hundreds of years. The most of this glorious spot. This, challenge was to use the shape combined with Mike’s formidable of the garden to their advantage construction expertise, enabled and it did in fact suit Liz’s vision them to embark on an ambitious and life-long ambition to create

The blue and yellow border defines the area a series of gardens in a variety of styles. It starts with paved areas behind the house with seating strategically placed to gain the best views and the planting here has a soft, Victorian feel. This evolves into a more exotic area of planting using bright colours and bold, large leaved plants. A traditional planted in blues and yellows then provides a more traditional lawned area before arriving at the working hub of the garden. Here potting have been built in the style of traditional black, Essex barns and provide

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A bright red pagoda forms the centrepiece of an oriental garden

the perfect backdrop for more plants. Classical combinations of roses and clematis grow up the vertical features which define this area. Stepping through an ancient doorway (which the couple sourced in Shropshire) the mood changes completely as the aesthetic of an oriental garden takes over completely with bright red pagoda and peaceful . A yin yang garden has succeeded in creating the perfect balance between hard landscaping and soft planting with water features providing a draw for local wildlife. The 4 Peace and tranquillity in the white garden

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A potting is positioned next to the garden’s raised vegetable beds and fruit cages end of the garden is punctuated last four years. The concept of with a designed and built opening the garden for charity by Mike, which is surrounded by started when the designed wildflower meadows. part of the garden went only ‘Attracting wildlife is an halfway down the plot and the important element to all my couple opened it twice for Great designs,’ says Liz. ‘This has Ormond Street Hospital, where resulted in six water features. As their daughter was a patient. well as helping with the structure They were delighted to find that and balance, they create an they had raised £2,500 on one environment where nature works opening alone. This was followed together. We are visited by a by openings for the Red Cross and delightful number of birds and St Francis Hospice in Romford. sometimes ducks stop by for a Wishing to take the event onto drink in one of the ponds.’ Secluded seating areas are incorporated into each design a more formal footing, Mike Walking back to the house approached Susan Copeland, the along a previously unnoticed and apricots. The result is indeed county organiser for the National brick path, is a doorway which a combination of grand and small Garden Scheme in Essex, in 2014 leads to a totally enclosed and – after visiting you are aware that who immediately accepted the unexpected white garden which you have seen a garden created garden into the scheme and this again conjures up another by a very talented gardener is the fifth year of opening for the atmosphere, this time of who has the skill to make the charity. tranquillity and simplicity. individual areas work together as They have learnt to expect The planting and landscaping part of a greater whole. between 200 and 250 visitors on within each area are perfectly Liz and Mike have been each open day and how to handle conceived as are the carefully opening their garden for the the logistics. Making sure there is sourced containers, seating and National Garden Scheme for the enough cake is one consideration, sculptures which the couple find as is an understanding of when when travelling around the UK. people are most likely to arrive Detailing such as a , bug and the best time of year for hotel and even the Find out more visitors to enjoy the garden. form an important part of each The garden at 262 Hatch Road in Pilgrims The average raised each year design. The varied styles and Hatch (Sat Nav CM15 9QR) next opens to is £3,000, which the National growing conditions mean that the public as part of the National Garden Garden Scheme gratefully there is a huge range of plants in Scheme on Sunday, July 7 and then again on receives and puts towards its this one plot and this is extended Sunday, July 21, 11.30am to 4.30pm on both donations to nursing and health in the front garden where an days. Admission is £4.50, with no charge for charities including Macmillan Italianate courtyard is edged with children. Homemade teas are available to buy Cancer Support, Marie Curie, lavender and a wall of nectarines as are plants propagated by the couple. Hospice UK and Parkinson’s UK. u

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