Steading Garden
Fife
This restored steading had a large, open, grassy space in front of it, which was largely unused and overlooked by neighbours.
The Challenge
Create a low-maintenance rural garden that balances privacy and openness.
- Retain a large lawn area while improving the surrounding planting.
- Introduce flowering cherry blossom trees.
- Create a wildflower meadow that blends into the rural setting.
- Improve privacy while still allowing neighbours to enjoy their views.
The Design Solution
This 1,800m² garden was designed to integrate with the surrounding countryside:
- A wildflower meadow was created beyond the garden boundary, with mown paths leading through it.
- A hornbeam hedge (with a concealed chicken-wire fence) was planted to keep out rabbits and hares, while still allowing smaller wildlife to pass through.
- Within the hedge, planting beds filled with flowering plants, shrubs, and trees provide year-round interest with minimal maintenance.
- Three different varieties of cherry blossom trees were chosen to extend the blooming period from January to May.
- A large basalt patio outside the kitchen was framed by trees to create a private seating area, without blocking the neighbours’ views of the landscape.
The Result
This garden now blends structured planting with wild elements, creating a natural, easy-to-maintain space that offers beauty across all seasons.
Fun Fact:
The old sandstone patio and path, originally planned for removal, were recycled into the Carmunnock Road project in Glasgow.
The garden was a large plot of land and it was a blank canvass. Ryan provided an end to end service from initial conceptual design, detailed planting and build plan, obtaining relevant planning permissions to the completion of the build and sourcing of materials.
We are very happy with the outcome and impressed with Ryan's attention to details and uncompromising standards on a quality product and finish.
