Arne Maynard is an award-winning garden designer who shares similar design aesthetics to our team here at Ian Barker Gardens.
Central to Arne Maynard’s work as a garden designer is his ability to identify and draw out the essence of a space – something that gives his gardens a particular quality of harmony and belonging. He has a holistic approach to design and believes that to succeed – a garden must relate and respond to its surrounding landscape, its history, the buildings within and around its confines and the needs of its owners.
One of our favourite works of Arne’s is set in a handsome former mill. The house was surrounded by a sea of gravel when Arne first arrived and had almost an industrial feel.
Arne’s ethos of marrying history with surrounding landscape saw him cover the façade of the building in roses – to soften the hard stone. In the foreground Arne created a parterre with pyramid topiary, bow edged beds filled with Lavender and Allium bulbs and a crisp lawn to lead visitors to the main entrance. The structure and formality of this area was softened by three pollarded limes edging one of the outer corners, with the plants encouraged to self-seed in the limestone chippings.
Arne has deliberately lowered the lawn area at the back of the house to make a distinct dining area/terrace. Around the terrace undulating ‘cloud’ box hedging provides a green backdrop and a structure for the foxgloves, herbs and roses.
Arne and his work constantly delights and inspires the Ian Barker Gardens team.
To view more of Arne’s beautiful creations and find some inspiration for your own garden click here.
