Golden yellow quartz paddlestones in Moroccan garden

A Contemporary Garden on the Edge of the South Downs

Project Type: Domestic Garden
Set near the South Downs, this new build property occupies a hamlet on the village edge, bordering farmland and woodland. Positioned on an elevated site, the garden enjoys views over a neighbouring property, providing a unique setting for a layered and themed landscape.

The total site measures just under an acre, most of which was transformed through careful landscaping to create a visually rich, functional outdoor space.

This garden is an example of layered design, attention to detail, and effective project management, where naturalistic planting meets carefully crafted hard landscaping. The combination of materials, planting, and structural features such as the paddle stone wall creates a garden that is both visually striking and functional, with inviting spaces for relaxation and reflection.
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Brief
Moroccan & Mediterranean inspiration

The client wanted to convert an open, sloping lawn into a garden that featured multiple themed zones, including:

- A Moroccan-inspired area.
- A Mediterranean terrace.
- A Zen garden zone.

They requested a linking pathway to allow year-round access across the garden and to connect all areas together. Additionally, birch trees were incorporated to reference the woodland edge and the property’s namesake, forming two birch glades within the design.

The overall goal was to create a garden that flowed naturally from one area to another, with strong visual and material connections, while respecting the backdrop of woodland and farmland.

Challenge
Summer & slopes

The main challenges included:

- Meeting a detailed and complex client wish list.
- Working with a sloping clay site.
- Installing the garden during an exceptionally hot and dry summer.
- Adjusting the paddlestones on-site due to initial stone batches being chunky, requiring a more painstaking installation process.

Despite these challenges, the team overcame the obstacles, delivering a cohesive and visually compelling garden.

Solution
Unified zones

The biggest successes of the project include:

- Transforming an open steep lawn into distinct, interconnected zones.
- Linking the garden to the woodland edge backdrop.
- Creating visual flow and enclosure, ensuring privacy from the footpath along the boundary.
- Establishing strong material and planting connections across the different themed areas, so the zones feel unified.

The paddle stone wall provides a key structural and visual element, drawing visitors into a destination seating area and creating a contemporary yet rustic focal point in a garden dominated by soft planting.

Credits

Designer: Rae Wilkinson

Contractor: Bushy Business

Supplier: Arbour Landscape Solutions

Products

Golden yellow quartz paddlestones

Our Client Said...
ALS delivered prompt service, efficiently replacing the original stone with a better visual fit, keeping the project on schedule
(A Contemporary Garden on the Edge of the South Downs)
Contemporary garden with planted connections across different themed areas.
The paddle stone wall creates a contemporary yet rustic focal point.
A destination seating area in front of paddle stone wall.
Paddle stone wall and woodland backdrop.
Paddle stone wall surrounded by soft planting for seating area.
Planting alongside the paddle stone wall creates clear zones.
Linking pathway to allow year-round access across the garden and to connect all areas together.
A garden that flows naturally from one area to another whilst respecting the backdrop of woodland and farmland.
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