The Stratigraphic Discovery
‘An immersive yet enchanting journey with pockets of discovery to be uncovered’
Set within a renowned archaeological rich area of Britain, The Stratigraphic Discovery Garden sets the client on a journey of discovery with emerging pockets of interest throughout.
Situated between the gravel courtyard and rear natural pond, an open face stone barn with an outdoor kitchen creates an inviting social setting whilst a vast overhanging Mediterranean specimen tree sits between; ensuring intimacy is retained.
Retreating from the barn, the trickling of the water cascading among the boulder rocks within the pond retreat area creates a peaceful tone, with layered planting creating a habitat haven for wildlife, enhancing biodiversity within the area.
The gravel courtyard presents a naturalistic setting with dry planting and coarse, dome formed shrubs replicate the rolling hills of Yorkshire, adapting to the high sun exposure. Furthermore, the dry planting creates a Mediterranean feeling with cohesion achieved with the adjacent stone walls and barn ahead.
Sweeping through the discovery garden, the fine textures of tall grasses and perennials provides an immersive experience heightening the senses with multi-stem trees and peeks creating anticipation throughout.
Accent perennials such as Allium sphaerocephalon and Verbena bonariensis pop through the hazy textures of Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’ acting as nuggets of discovery whilst the corymb form of Achilleas denote the varying layers within stratigraphy.
During autumn, the golden tones of the ornamental grasses compliment the golden beech tree and hedgerow whilst the seedheads of perennials create sculptural delight, ensuring year-round seasonal interest.
Behind the reclaimed barn bricks, the enchanting Jurassic woodland with a stacked arrangement of boulders denotes the excavation of surface layers whilst creating a retreat seating area including a firepit and tree-top swing, providing the ultimate woodland adventure. Among the area, pre-historic themed planting surrounds with the use of Jurassic period Blechnum spicant, Podophyllum peltatum and its edible flowers hidden under the umbrella leaves like an Amazon rainforest, whilst the petals of Fritillaria meleagris create a reptile like skin pattern.