Gillian Taylor
31 Jan 2026
A celebration of design excellence, innovation and creativity will highlight those shaping the future of the profession at the Society of Garden and Landscape Designers awards ceremony, to be held on Friday 6 February. Three of the gardens nominated display the importance of great design combined with teamwork to overcome challenges.
Old Quarry Garden
Sited in an old quarry, the project presented some unique difficulties. Access restrictions meant materials
were moved in manually using wheelbarrows - and it took 18 months of hard labour for the landscaping and planting teams to achieve the final result. Drystone walls, stones found on site and timber sleepers were used to create the terraces. Paths use strips of stone set into gravel for a natural feel. The clients requested usable space close to the house, plus the transformation of the rocky slopes into a beautiful, accessible and biodiverse garden.
The Upper Garden by the house has a colour palette ranging from strong to pale pinks, through to blues
and whites. As well as reliable perennials, Fi used Rosa Gertrude Jekyll and Rosa Olivia Austin to provide scent and form. The Mediterranean Terrace carries a naturalistic feel with planting into gravel and here, bright oranges and yellows mix with grey green leaves. The Melianthus major plants look striking. The Lower Garden borders have a stronger vertical emphasis including iris, salvia and anemones. Mexican fleabane (Erigeron) softens the edges of the walls. Continuity is achieved by an impressive Corten steel water feature which sends water cascading down each level, plus the repetition of terracotta pots on each terrace.
“Landscape design is such a collaborative and creative field. To have my work recognised is incredibly special”