A transformative garden often derives just as much from enchanting surroundings as from the plants themselves. In the case of siblings and acclaimed garden designers Harry and David Rich, their garden intensifies these sensations long before anyone steps inside. Located far within the embrace of Welsh woods, this storybook-like cottage merges completely with nature—from wandering flocks of sheep—to which entry is granted solely via a bridge spanning a brook that feeds into the River Wye.
The atmospheric garden is among the 18 showcased in my latest publication.
Wonderlands: At-home British Garden Designers
In this exploration, I delve into the personal havens of prominent landscape architects, uncovering how their residences serve as laboratories for their work. These settings foster gradual development of concepts, plans, and botanical pairings, offering secluded sanctuaries away from public scrutiny. While some undertakings span extensive periods, others—such as Harry and David’s cozy cottage garden—are more modest endeavors developed within recent years using minimal means.
Photography by Éva Németh.
Above: A row of pleached crabapple trees cuts through the area and forms a connection between the structure and the outdoor space.
Harry moved from London to a remote cottage situated just north of the Brecon Beacons in Wales, where he resides with his spouse, Sue, along with their two kids. However, the garden has consistently been a collaborative effort between the siblings. Together, they achieved the distinction of being the youngest recipients of a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show back in 2012. At that time, Harry had recently established his landscape architecture company, whereas David was still pursuing his studies at university. The duo later designed an additional two gardens for the exhibition, securing yet another gold medal in 2014.
Above: The plantings extend all the way to the cottage walls, enhancing the feeling of being fully surrounded by vegetation.
As they embarked on building the garden, the brothers recognized that incorporating substantial structural elements would be crucial. Here, the primary shapes derive from yew hedges; these youthful barriers delineate different sections within the one-acre plot and are beginning to establish themselves along the edges near the home’s entrance. Informally sculpted yew spheres accentuate this landscaped space, whereas an intimate patio located at the eastern end of the dwelling features sizable yew blocks. A row of meticulously trained apple trees extends over the central planting areas, highlighting the junction between the older section of the residence and newer expansions. During springtime, these trees burst into clouds of blossoms, yet as summer progresses halfway through, they serve mainly to define vistas beneath them. Throughout colder months, however, those same tree trunks contribute additional framework to the garden layout.
In this heavily shaded area, during the quiet days of winter, sunlight struggles to filter through the encircling trees, transforming the entire space into a prolonged icy enclave. Therefore, selecting appropriate winter vegetation is crucial. The siblings successfully transplanted an established Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ from elsewhere in the garden to the edge of the flower beds, positioning it so that it elegantly curves above stairs leading down towards the brook. “This was our first time moving such a large plant, and although we were aware of the potential hazards involved, it had been growing on rock before and has flourished after being relocated,” explains David.
Above: A view of the usually gentle and nature-inspired landscaping. The seed heads of burnet (Sanguisorba) complement the light, feathery development of lemon scabious (Scabiosa ochroleuca).
Above: Trimmed yew provides structure throughout the garden, extending all the way to the edges surrounding the cottage.
Rich and enveloping herbaceous borders overflow around the front of the residence, yet the color scheme remains subtle with soft hues of pale yellow, cream, and white. Eupatorium, Thalictrum, Asters, and Foxglove mingle with decorative grasses such as Molinia ‘Transparent’. This creates a refined and unassuming appearance, punctuated occasionally by bursts of vibrant colors like those found in bright red Hemerocallis or Echinops bannaticus ‘Taplow Blue’. During earlier parts of the growing season, Siberian Irises (‘Papillon’ and ‘Perry’s Blue’) add their charm. Spontaneous seedlings, including Achillea and Plantago lanceolata, flourish alongside the margins of slender pathways.
Above: A vista spanning the lush floral edges featuring white thalictrum and veronicastrum in bloom.
Above: The golden blooms of Digitalis ferruginea ‘Gigantea’ are paired with Selenium wallichianum, Verbascum chaixii ‘Album’, and fragrant Nepeta govaniana.
On a west-facing wall covered in lime render, Rosa ‘Cécile Brünner’ climbs across a framework made from strong hazel stakes, whereas at the opposite end of the building, ‘Paul’s Himalayan Musk’ has already reached up to the first-floor windows. Another rose, a spiny type known as ‘Falkland’, was recently added and will eventually extend over a short stone wall. “Each day allows me to watch these plants,” remarks Harry. “These are sizable flowerbeds where I can incorporate all my preferred elements and experiment with different arrangements, observing their growth patterns. Through this process, we’ve gained deeper insights into our roles as landscape designers.”
Above: On a west-facing wall covered with lime render, the rose variety ‘Rosa Cécile Brúnner’ is arranged across a framework of thick hazel stakes.
Above: Harry (on the left) and David captured under the wintersweet tree—Chimonanthus praecox—a plant known for adding fragrance during the lengthy winter season.
Overhead: Beneath the crabapple trees, the fragile blooms of Nepeta govaniana can be seen.
Harry and David have subtly integrated their garden with the nearby landscape, selecting trees that harmonize with the woodland flora such as Malus sylvestris, hawthorns, and hazels. This ensures that the garden remains decorative yet closely connected to its surroundings. During spring, more naturalized bulb varieties like snowdrops, Tulipa sylvestris, and narcissi are incorporated into the flower beds, enhancing this cohesive look.
Constructing a garden in such an isolated area posed significant challenges, primarily due to limited accessibility; there were no sidewalk delivery options available. As a result, nearly every supply had to be manually transported to the site, making it essential to repurpose existing and scavenged materials whenever possible. “Every step turned into a lengthy ordeal,” remarks David about the early stages of landscape development. Nevertheless, come springtime, substantial efforts began for establishing a sizable vegetable patch—a crucial progression for transforming this captivating spot.
Above:
Wonderlands
is in bookstores now.
See also:
- Insights Gained From ‘Wonderlands: British Garden Designers at Home’
- Eager to Explore the Outdoor Areas Created by Interior Designers? (Hint: They’re Stunning)
- Required Reading: ‘Beyond the Meadows: A Portrait of a Natural and Diverse Garden by Krautkopf’
