Take a sneak peek around this private seaside garden with its own jetty in the UK’s most expensive area
Take a sneak peek around this private seaside garden with its own jetty in the UK’s most expensive area
Helen Elks-Smith’s clever design for a garden overlooking Poole Harbour makes the most of its impressive views and is planted to resist the fierce winds
Poole Harbour is Europe’s largest natural harbour. Fringed with woods and heathlands, its globally important wetlands are teeming with wading birds, and its islands, notably Brownsea Island, are the last redoubt in southern Britain’s increasingly rare populations of red squirrel.
On the edge of the bay stands an understated two-storey house, elegantly clad in silvery iroko wood, surrounded by an equally elegant and understated garden.
Tough shrubs, including Phillyrea angustifolia, underplanted with pink Centranthus ruber, and the tall spikes of Echium pininana surround the lawn leading from the house to the sea. A rainwater chain channels water from the roof to a gravel bed – a beautiful but functional element that adds character to the garden. Image credit: Jason Ingram
Helen found this piece of Purbeck stone in a local quarry. Its interesting form is a result of water moving across and through the ground forming the lovely horizontals. Nature had done the heavy lifting; all Helen had to do was to was drill a hole through the middle so the rainchain can direct water to a soakaway. Surrounding it a star burst of thin stones spreads out like a splash of water. Image credit: Jason Ingram
This is also an extremely clever garden. When you stand in the airy kitchen, you feel almost as if you could step directly out into the glittering waters of the harbour, yet designer Helen Elks-Smith has managed to create a real sense of journey, with significant changes of character, in the short passage – just 22m – from house to sea.
On the other hand, on the sea side, you see how the light and the weather change from minute to minute. You’re right in there, feeling it. It’s such a privilege to live in a place like this: there’s nowhere else quite like it.
The decked seating area allows the family to make the most of the glorious views across to the local marina. It’s sheltered by a Purbeck stone retaining wall in which the grass Poa labillardierei mixes with sea campion (Silene uniflora ‘Alba’), sea aster (Tripolium pannonicum) and the dwarf pine Pinus mugo ‘Humpy’. Image credit: Jason Ingram
In brief: a coastal home and garden in Poole
What Contemporary garden surrounding a modern seaside house.
Where Dorset.
Size 790 square metres, of which half is occupied by the house and drive.
Soil Mainly free-draining greensand, but some pockets of sticky clay.
Climate Generally frost-free but fiercely windy.
Hardiness zone USDA 9a.
Helen has broken up the lawn using stepping stones, which help to slow down the short journey from house to sea front, and with beds filled with Verbascum olympicum and blue-flowered Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’, which has a looser, wilder look than better known cultivars such as L. angustifolia ‘Hidcote’. Image credit: Jason Ingram
“We didn’t want the house to be a statement,” insists owner Stephanie Atkins. “This amazing view is the statement here.” Rather, she wanted the house to settle quietly into the landscape, and a garden that would help it do that.
That’s what I love about this garden. That you really know you are in Poole Harbour, which is so special
A glass balustrade offers some protection from the sea winds without impeding views out across the water and to the old jetty at the end of the property. In the foreground, the tough grass Poa labillardierei and pink-flowered Erigeron glaucus ‘Sea Breeze’ keep this decked area hidden from view. Image credit: Jason Ingram
Unlike many of the neighbouring gardens, this one embraces its setting, relying heavily on local materials, choosing colours and textures that mirror the surrounding landscapes, and using strong, simple planting that comes alive in the restless winds and constantly changing light.
“That’s what I love about this garden,” says Stephanie. “You really know you are in Poole Harbour, which is so special.” And when she crosses the bay to the local marina, and looks back across the water, she sees silver leaves and waving grasses, and barely knows the house is there.
Key plants for coastal gardens
Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ With vivid purple flower spikes and upright habit, this drought-resistant, long-flowering salvia is a reliable choice for any hot, sunny position. Another plant used here only in the front garden that would struggle in the rear. 60cm x 60cm. AGM. RHS H7, USDA 4a-8b. Image credit: Jason IngramKniphofia ‘Royal Castle’ A superb red-hot poker with tall, strong spikes of brilliant red, yellow and orange flowers, lasting from early summer through to early autumn. Used here only in the front garden; it would struggle in the space overlooking the harbour. 90cm x 50cm. RHS H5, USDA 5a-9b. Image credit: Jason IngramOlea europaea This olive tree, with silvery leaves and beautiful gnarly bark, instantly adds a feeling of age and permanence to a newly established garden. Resistant to drought, wind and, surprisingly, frost, but used here only in the more sheltered front garden. 9m x 7m. RHS H4, USDA 8a-10b. Image credit: Jason IngramEchium pininana There is a touch of the prehistoric about these mighty blue or white spires. Best known to British gardeners from the island of Tresco, the plant is native to the Canary Islands, and will flower in only the mildest coastal gardens. Here it has survived two winters. 4m x 1m. AGM*. RHS H3, USDA 9b-11. Image credit: Jason Ingram
Built around a family home with a contemporary design, the garden faces Poole Harbour, offering fantastic views but challenging growing conditions. Image credit: Jason Ingram
