Introduction:

This is an academic garden design project of a biodiversity garden, which aims to create a serene environment for a single female in her forties who is interested in biodiversity and warmed to the idea of having her garden filled with as many variations of life as possible.

Project Background:

My main vision for this garden is to create a beautiful and diverse space that supports local wildlife and promotes a healthy ecosystem. To do that I proposed to create different planting areas incorporating a mix of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Each species has been carefully selected for its special benefits to this biodiversity garden.

Challenges:

The site is wide and empty of any type of planting at the moment apart from the lawn. Changes cannot be made to the garage, septic tank and oil burner.

Concept Development:

I have designed this garden to be more compact, ensuring that maintenance tasks do not become too burdensome for the client. The planting beds will allow the plants to spread in an informal, fluid shape while still maintaining control. Raised beds will provide easy access, and we will choose low-maintenance plants like kidney weed that spread quickly with minimal care.

Aiming to minimise hard landscaping the main change is to replace the current asphalt paving with a wildlife-friendly alternative. Considering the size of your garden, gravel is the best option. The before-and-after diagram below will give you a better visual representation:

Water is essential for wildlife, this proposal includes a bird bath in the front garden, which will also serve as a beautiful focal point. Additionally, we will incorporate a gravel pond in the back garden to maximize its appeal to various wildlife species. Other items were also composing this garden concept, all described in the following moodboard:

Buckwheat will serve as both ground cover and an edible plant and the client can leave it to mature and harvest the seeds to make flour. Moreover, a perennial bed filled with Turkish sage will not only delight you with its yellow flowers but also provide a haven for pollinators.

To provide vital shelter for wildlife, I suggest installing bird boxes, bug hotels and log piles. These features will offer nesting, roosting, and protection from predators. Taking advantage of the existing lawn areas, we will introduce White Dutch clover as the main ground cover. This will attract birds, butterflies, honey bees, and other pollinators, bringing more life and colour to the garden:

Around your house, Eve Price will be planted in the hedge. Its fruits are particularly attractive to birds, especially during the winter months. To add beauty to the bare garage wall, we will introduce a Vine Lilac, which will gracefully climb and bloom in winter.

A trellis will provide support for this plant to grow upwards. Additionally, the garage shed will feature an extensive green roof adorned with low-maintenance native wildflowers, attracting plenty of local wildlife.

Strategically placed lighting fixtures will provide a warm and inviting atmosphere with soft, low-intensity lighting to create a serene and enchanting environment, encouraging nocturnal wildlife to visit and adding a touch of magic to the garden. We will be using energy-efficient options such as LED lights and incorporate timers or motion sensors.

In general, but especially for this garden I strongly advise avoiding chemical pesticides as they can disrupt the delicate balance we are trying to establish. Instead, try using natural pest control methods such as companion planting, insect-repelling plants, and handpicking pests. Regular pruning, weeding, and watering are also important for maintaining the garden’s vitality.

Ready to transform your outdoor space into a modern garden tailored to your preferences? Contact me today, and let’s bring your dream garden to life.