A Nordic Garden
The garden was enclosed on two sides by an old hedge, which served as a delightful frame for the space. Flanking the garden were two magnificent trees, their branches reaching gracefully towards the sky, and two weathered, neglected apple trees, their gnarled branches bearing witness to the passage of time.
A Nordic Garden
There was no immediate solution for the garden design in sight - only endless possibilities. How could the garden be shaped to reflect the character and history of the house, while also echoing the surrounding landscape? Should it merge seamlessly with nature, or stand as a defined space of its own?
The first step was to create a plan.
This meant thinking far beyond planting alone. A Nordic garden is built from the ground up - quite literally - where structure and function are just as important as aesthetics. Careful consideration was given to where a new stone wall would sit, aligned with Scandinavian design principles of simplicity, proportion, and material honesty.
But just as important as the visible elements were the invisible ones.
A solid plan also included the groundwork beneath the surface:
The layout for new electrical installations, ensuring the garden could be used and enjoyed in all seasons
Thoughtful drainage solutions, allowing the land to manage water naturally
Systems for collecting and directing rainwater from the roof, reducing runoff and supporting a more sustainable garden
Only once these foundations were in place could the true shaping of the garden begin.
In this way, the garden becomes more than a space to look at - it becomes a living structure, carefully composed in harmony with both house and landscape, and rooted in the realities of the Nordic climate.
