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What we have done

Below are just some of the successful garden design and landscaping projects completed by Garden Sanctuaries. Whether you are in a modern house or a cottage in the countryside and you require a new garden from scratch, an affordable garden makeover, or simply a new patio, we are here to help!

The Sanctuary in the City This garden lies in the heart of Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne. The area for redesign was the bottom third of a large garden that was seriously overgrown and contained a dilapidated 1960’s garden room. The owners were looking for an area where they were able to relax and chill out either on their own or with friends. They also wanted to incorporate a functional area for a potting shed and composting. A central theme of interconnected circles was incorporated for its calming effect which was combined with a quality octagonal summerhouse ; A discrete copper Maple leaf water feature along with mood lighting further adding to the tranquillity of the space. The whole area has been surrounded with planting which will eventually create a real sense of enclosure and seclusion without being claustrophobic. Many of the plants were chosen for their scent adding a further dimension to the calming nature of the space.	See More Images
Interlocking Shapes This Durham garden had been partially landscaped sometime ago but was in need of a total revamp. The owner wanted different areas for relaxation (including a hammock!) as well as an area for entertaining up to 10 guests. Taking my cue from the patio doors on the conservatory the layout of the design was at an eye catching 45 degrees to the main house. This allowed for a large “W-shaped” patio area to be constructed near the house without it taking up too much of the garden. To this interesting shape a series of interconnected brick-edged oblongs and squares was added to create a lawn, gravel garden, water feature and herb garden. The difficult area under the 2 mature trees was planted with woodland plants and provided an ideal place for the hammock!	See More Images
The large courtyard This courtyard in Morpeth, Northumberland, represents about 1/3 of the total garden and was laid out by a builder many years ago. The owners were undertaking an extension to the property and took the opportunity to have the courtyard redesigned as it had become tired, overgrown and lacked interest. The orientation of the site meant that one side was predominantly in shade which had to be taken into account. A series of curved brick paths were installed to lead from the back door through the L-shaped plot to the sunny raised patio and shady dining circle. A secondary path was installed to allow for the construction of a rock garden and allow access to the sunny border. The shady border by the dining circle was planted with shadeloving foliage plants which will create a very calm area in time.	See More Images
The one week transformation This garden was a totally virgin site in a new property in Wallsend, near Newcastle upon Tyne. The owner wanted a pretty but lowish maintenance garden, somewhere to sit and some grass. Over the course of a week the garden was initially levelled then an edged curved lawn was laid. This was followed by the installation of a largish patio to the sunniest side for sitting and entertaining. Finally a mixed border was planted with a variety of suitable shrubs and grasses to keep the maintenance low but giving interest throughout the year. A gravel mulch on weed suppressant membrane was put around the plants which neatened the whole garden as well as reducing the maintenance still further.	See More Images
The geometric design This garden lies in Sunderland Bridge in the heart of the Durham countryside with views over the valley to Durham Cathedral. It was no more than a dumping ground for the spoil from the house renovation. The owners had some very specific design criteria. Sympathetic to setting, should be a gardener’s garden but not prissy, sunny and shady sitting areas, accommodate garden art. The square plot lent itself to an octagonal themed design. The lawn being a brick edged octagon and the sunny patio, which was placed to maximise the views to Durham, being a ¼ octagon. The shady seating area is surrounded with scented plants and is reached by octagonal shaped cobble paths. The addition of a dry stone wall with large through stones for placing art was installed last of all.	See More Images
The affordable redesign of a city back garden This established garden in London was overgrown, uncoordinated and lacked structure and interest. The owner was so fed up with it that she didn’t really go into it anymore. The shrubs were getting out of hand and made the garden feel gloomy and claustrophobic. Over the course of a few days the garden was transformed by pruning back the trees and shrubs properly to open up the garden, some existing plants were rearranged, some others discarded and more appropriate ones introduced. Definition was added by edging the lawn and creating a complimentary shaped path to the shed and a seating area to catch the morning sun was added.	See More Images
The staged creation of a new garden from scratch This garden in County Durham is in an exposed site in the countryside and was completely wild. The owner wanted it completely redesigned and to be low maintenance. The project was of a significant size so in order for it to be affordable the work was undertaken in stages. The patio has been located in the sunniest part of the garden and has been surrounded by terraced shrub borders that will provide protection from the prevailing wind once established. A high proportion of the shrubs are evergreen to add winter interest and many of them closet to the patio are scented to add further interest. A sunken seating area was designed into a shady part of the garden to add a further dimension.	See More Images
The low maintenance front garden This front garden is in a city location in Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and had been left to go to ruin by the previous occupants. The owner has a demanding job and wanted a virtually maintenance free but interesting garden to come home to. An eye-catching design was implemented for the path and the plants chosen, whilst providing both leaf and flower colour, only require attention once a year! Coordinating gravel was chosen as a mulch which has been laid on a weed suppressing membrane.	See More Images
The full redesign of a modern estate garden This back garden lies in the heart of a modern established estate in Langley Moor, County Durham and is north facing. The owner loves gardening and wanted a garden with plenty of space for plants and a flat area of grass for the grandchildren to play on. The sloping site required a design that incorporated terracing and to add interest a number of levels of differing materials were introduced. The back of the garden is sunniest so this is where the lawn and seating areas were located with access provided via steps and paths through the various levels. To add height to the garden a curving pergola was built over the curving path.	See More Images
The sunny patio This large established, principally east facing garden is located in a modern estate in Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The owners wanted a nice area for year round use that could accommodate a large table and barbeque for entertaining. The side of the house was chosen as this was the sunniest site. It also had the benefit of turning a “nothing” area into something useful whist the unusual shape provided additional interest. Following discussion the cherry tree was left in place to provide, after judicious pruning, some dappled shade in what can be a hot and sheltered site.	See More Images
The cottage garden This large but relatively narrow, south facing garden lies in the heart of Shincliffe Village, a small village in County Durham. The owners wanted a country cottage style garden where they could relax and enjoy the secluded site. The existing garden had become overgrown and many of the “thuggish” original plants had crowded out others to give a space dominated by relatively few species. Tackling the project over a number of seasons the structural plants were sensitively pruned back, borders were reshaped and replanted, the patio re-laid and reshaped and the wall rebuilt and the steps moved. The changes now give a garden that flows more naturally and has become considerably more interesting and colourful.	See More Images

CONTACT : Bob Tridgett     Tel. : 07818 451079,   Contact us by Email

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