About the Project

This planting project in Bentley followed the completion of a large new-build property, where the client had been left with poor soil, a tired lawn and several borders in need of structure and interest.

The garden also had a large amount of brickwork, so the brief was to soften the space with planting that would provide height, greenery and year-round appeal.

After consultation, MNB Designs recommended pleached ornamental pear trees to create a strong green backdrop against the wall, with carefully chosen underplanting to bring texture, colour and seasonal interest to the borders.

What We Did

The project began with improving the growing conditions. The existing soil was poor and heavily chalk-based, with large chalk seams running through the land. In one bed alone, more than 5 tonnes of solid chalk had to be removed before good quality soil could be brought in.

MNB Designs then planted pleached ornamental pear trees to provide height and structure while still allowing the borders beneath to be under-planted. This helped soften the brickwork without closing the garden in.

The planting scheme included species suited to the local soil conditions, including scabious, lavender, Buxus hedging and Cornus controversa. Each plant was selected to work with the site, the scale of the wall and the client’s wish for a softer, more established garden.

Access added another challenge. Some areas sat below a wall of around 14 feet and the plants could not be moved easily across the patio by the house, so a larger team was needed to complete the work safely and efficiently

Planting For Height, Structure And Year-Round Interest

Pleached trees were chosen because they offered the right balance of height, structure and softness. Against a large wall, they create a green architectural backdrop while still leaving space below for planting.

The ornamental pear trees provided the main framework, while the underplanting brought softness at ground level. This layered approach helped reduce the visual weight of the brickwork and created a more considered garden setting.

The finished scheme also needed to be ready in time for a birthday party and marquee on the lawn, which gave the project a clear deadline. MNB Designs completed the planting in time, helping the garden feel much more finished for the event.

Challenges & Solutions

Challenges

Poor chalky soil, difficult access and a large brick backdrop made this new-build garden a demanding planting project.

Poor soil and heavy chalk seams after building work

Large areas of brickwork needed softening with planting

Difficult access below walls of around 14 feet

Clear deadline before a family celebration

Solutions

We improved the soil, introduced pleached trees for height and used layered planting for year-round structure.

Removed over 5 tonnes of chalk from one bed

Brought in good quality soil to improve growing conditions

Planted pleached ornamental pear trees for height

Added sympathetic underplanting for colour and texture

The Results

The finished garden feels softer, greener and more established, with pleached trees creating height against the brickwork and underplanting adding interest through the borders.

By improving the soil first, the planting had a far better chance of establishing successfully. The final scheme gave the client a more attractive garden setting in time for their celebration, complete with a marquee on the lawn and seating areas ready to enjoy.