The Secret Garden

the secret garden

Part of a much larger overall scheme by designer Jo Alderson Phillips this was originally an overgrown tennis court. Long since colonised by self seeded trees and brambles, the clearance and conversion into an enclosed secret garden was a huge undertaking.

Overhead power lines had to be buried, trees felled and an estate railing fence installed to deter deer and rabbits. Instant Portugese laurel hedging created the final outer layer to transform the area into an enclosed garden, whilst 13 instant topiary specimens of Yew were imported from Belgium to create a striking evergreen structural presence.

These were matched with bespoke oversized Obelisks whilst disease resistant Japanese Box edged the borders with underground drainage addressing the challenges otherwise poised by a heavy sub soil of clay. Huge swathes of herbaceous Salvias and Alchemillas shouted for attention whilst Alliums and Fritillarias emerged in late Spring, with stunning colour was provided by the huge acer and the strawberry tree that had previously been in a main avenue garden at Chelsea Flower Show.

Read our latest newsletter 2023/ 2024

From our latest garden transformations, to Greenfingers projects, a celebration of 25 years and a stunning terrace…

Read our comprehensive design guide

An incredibly visual guide to garden design showing illustrative masterplans, sketches, 3D visualisations, lighting plans and more…

Have you seen our eco bug hotels?

This fab bug hotel was commissioned especially for Blue Peter and we had a fun day assembling it in the famous Blue Peter garden…

GDC in the media

We’ve been lucky enough to have several of our projects featured in the media. To read some of these articles visit our media page.

Country Homes & Interiors featured this award winning project in a six page spread detailing the extensive renovations to the 1880s coach house… read the article.

Country Homes & Interiors featured this fabulous project in an eight page spread. What used to be an overgrown tennis court was transformed into a secret garden… read the article.

Homes and Gardens featured our longest running project in this six page spread. Set high up in the Chilterns. The six acre site is set in one of the highest spots in the chilterns… read the article.

Our oldest project, this garden is just stunning and so well maintained by the clients who have looked after it so well. Small wonder then it was featured in Homes and Gardens… read the article.