About the Project

This planting project in Medstead, Hampshire, was designed to reduce lawn maintenance while bringing more colour, texture and seasonal interest into the garden.

The client wanted less mowing, more planting and a garden that still allowed practical access through the space and to the high hedges. The brief also included a small seating area, giving the garden a new viewpoint and somewhere to pause and enjoy the planting.

As this was the client’s English home, used mainly during the brighter months of the year, the planting needed to focus strongly on spring and summer colour, with some autumn interest to extend the display.

What We Did

MNB Designs removed a large area of lawn and brought in over 40 tonnes of topsoil, organic mulch and compost to improve the poor existing ground. Access was challenging, so materials had to be moved by hand through the garden, with full barrows going in one side of the property and empty ones coming out the other.

The soil was prepared carefully before planting, with mycorrhizal fungi used to help support root establishment. This gave the new planting scheme a much stronger foundation for long-term growth.

More than 500 bulbs were planted alongside a wide mix of shrubs and perennials, including acers, crocosmia and iris. The plant choices were guided by the client’s love of colour and bulbs, as well as the garden’s sunlight, soil pH and seasonal use.

The design also incorporated garden features, including circular stone details, wooden sculptures, bird baths and posts for a sail shade. These helped add structure and personality while making the garden feel more complete.

Planting For Colour, Access And Easier Maintenance

The main aim was to reduce the amount of lawn while keeping the garden practical. Planting areas were designed to soften the space, cut down mowing and still allow clear access through the garden and to the surrounding hedges.

The high hedges could have made the garden difficult to plant successfully, but the movement of the sun worked in the garden’s favour. Light travelled from back to front rather than being blocked from side to side, allowing the new planting to establish well.

The result is a garden that feels fuller, softer and more interesting through the warmer months, while also being easier for the client to manage.

Challenges & Solutions

Challenges

The garden needed less lawn, more planting and practical access, despite poor soil and difficult material movement.

Large areas of lawn needed reducing

Poor soil required major improvement

Access made moving materials labour-intensive

Planting needed to suit seasonal use of the home

High hedges had to remain accessible

Solutions

We improved the soil, reduced mowing areas and created a colourful planting scheme with clear routes through the garden.

Removed lawn and reshaped the planting areas

Added over 40 tonnes of topsoil, mulch and compost

Planted more than 500 bulbs for seasonal colour

Chose plants to suit light levels, soil pH and client preferences

Included seating, shade posts and garden features for structure

The Results

The finished garden has far less lawn to maintain and far more seasonal interest. Richer soil, generous planting and carefully placed features have created a softer, more colourful garden that works with the client’s lifestyle.

With bulbs, perennials, shrubs and structural details throughout, the space now offers colour through spring and summer, with added autumn interest and practical access retained across the garden.