Country house garden, Hertfordshire

May, 2026

“The pots look great along the front of the house.”

“I love the multistem trees coming out of the gravel.”

Date: May, 2026

Location: Chilterns AONB

Client brief: An impressive country house in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty accessed by a long gravel driveway flanked by lawn, rhododendron bushes and oak woodland. The gravel driveway opens out into a parking court at the front of the house.

The client was keen to improve the look and feel of the front of the house and create a more dramatic arrival experience and hide storage sheds from view. A garden which delivers a ‘Wow’ factor and coherently integrates with the wider garden. A space which is energising, interesting and unexpected with resilient, year-round planting.

Site: 500sqm gravel driveway

Design concept & response: The design concept is based on creating a striking first impression. A garden that is inspired by the local Chilterns landscape with exquisite detailing. Multistem trees rising directly from the gravel driveway with feature pots providing multiple reasons to linger and investigate. A garden which delivers a strong calming and refreshing energy as you arrive. Harmonious layout creating a strong sense of balance. An arrival experience you will remember and recall. Unusual and unforgettable planting combinations.

Discuss Your Project

The Inspiration

The inspiration for the design comes from Invinghoe Beacon, a prominent local landmark marking the start point of the Icknield Way and Ridgeway ancient paths. The contours of the hill provide the organic, flowing shapes which have been abstracted for the design.
A Striking First Impression

A garden which creates an arrival experience and ‘wow’ factor for this impressive country residence. A visually and sensually stimulating garden with fragrant and scented perennials which flower across long seasons.
Statement Pots

Visually impactful ornamental pots, planted with trees and shrubs, are used to create the striking first impression and amplify sight lines. Organic shapes blend seamlessly with the rest of the garden.

Before

The gravel driveway ran directly up to the front of the house. Small planted borders failed to provide sufficient impact and drama. Unsightly storage sheds were the first area a visitor saw as they arrived. The house is set within woodland surroundings within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Build

The garden was constructed and planted by ajgdesign.co.uk . The work included extending the existing garage and side door terrace, excavating and constructing the organic borders using granite set & steel edging, siting the pots and planters and planting the borders and trees.