The formal planting design in the rear garden of this house reflects the coastal location; Martin envisaged it as a series of waves carried out in shades of blue to represent the sea, with white for the foaming sea horses.

The backdrop for the formal garden is the row of tall evergreen Quercus Ilex (Holm Oak) which screens the garden from the development behind and is set against a solid green hedge of Taxus Baccata (English Yew).   Prunus Laurocerasus (ground cover laurel) thrives in the shade beneath. The long elevated plant bed is edged in Buxus (box) and a retaining wall of local granite, and planted with seasonal flowers in shades of blue and white.

At a slightly lower level, the next wave of planting is surmounted by a row of the white, frothy flowers of Amelanchier (Juneberry Tree) in spring, underpinned by the clear blue-green leaves of Lavandula Angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ (Lavender) with seasonal mauve- blue flowers, Zantedeschia (Calla Lily), tall white Tulip ‘White Triumphator’, blue Allium, Rosa ‘White Flowercarpet’ and the swaying stalks of Verbena Bonariensis all contribute in a display orchestrated through the seasons.

See an overview of the landscaping and construction elements of this design here.