High in the Cascade Mountains of Central Oregon, this garden sits in a landscape that is beautiful yet harsh. The triangular shape of the surounding mountains and juniper trees provided inspiration for the design, while planting needed to cope with a high desert climate. It's bone dry for most of the year and each day brings extreme temperature swings - plus visits from a large herd of hungry wild deer and a few jack rabbits.
This new build site is by the river Braan in the Scottish Highlands. The design echoes the curved dry stone walls of traditional sheep stells, which were used for shelter and storage. The soil in these parts is at least 50% rock, put to good use in both the dry walls and two sides of the house. Plants are themed around colourful wildflowers, brightening up the dreichest Scottish day.
Just north of the English border, this seaside garden overlooks the colourful Scottish coast. The garden is on a steep slope with an 11 metre drop between the top and bottom, and had to be redesigned without changing existing levels. The old garden was an obstacle course of narrow steps and overgrown shrubs. The new design improves the route of flow, opens up the heart of the garden and adds nautical curves that echo the harbour's waves and boats.
Part way down the volcanic crag topped by Stirling Castle, this urban garden is in the heart of the city. The garden is framed by the local dark whinstone walls, which were in need of serious repair. The area's royal past is hinted at through the choice of rich, jewel-like planting, berries and fruit trees. Naturally, the clients had to have the apple variety called 'Stirling Castle' raised in the 1820s - around the same time as the property was originally built.
This front garden in Birnam is used for outdoor dining in summer but suffered from a view of parked cars in a sea of gravel. The design separates the driveway from a new, enclosed courtyard with space to eat and relax. The building used to be a coaching inn, so archways and some cobbles have been included as a visual link to this history. The sea of gravel is greened with edible plants - for the family and also for visiting birds, bees and butterflies.
This site in Blewbury is a conceptual garden on a grand scale, expressing elemental themes of chalk, iron and fire. The area boasts the famous Uffington White Horse and the underlying chalk downland is highlighted by a broad swathe of white planting under a fruit orchard. The circular pond and grassy ampitheatre are a reverse reflection of a nearby iron age fort. Lastly, fire is represented by red cornus and tall metal pillars lighting the pond's boardwalk.
Oxford is a city threaded by rivers. The design for this town garden makes reference to its surrounding waterways with a small canal that cascades from under the patio, beneath a bridge and down a weir before flowing out the end of the garden. The main seating area is an island deck surrounded by water and a privacy screen on two sides. Planting reflects the clients' Asian tastes, including a beautiful cherry tree reflected at the end of the long water.
Originally a weaving village, Kilbarchan lies alongside a series of adjacent lochs. These are referenced in this design for a small back garden, where two pools of water lead you down the gently sloping site to a sunny evening terrace. The front garden is transformed from an underused patch of lawn to a productive orchard underplanted with spring and summer bulbs.
As part of the RHS's 2010 Tatton Park show, Tracy Rich Design was asked to help build a large show garden for the talented designer Olivia Stewart. Olivia commissioned a curved dry stone wall using traditional Lake District stone and slate. A wonderful experience with a great team and, to top it off, the garden won a prestigious Silver Gilt medal.
1. Consultation
We meet with you at your home to view your garden and discuss your requirements. This usually takes an hour or so and there is a standard fee of £50 to cover our time. We follow up with a written brief to check that we've understood your requirements and budget. You can then decide whether you want to take things any further.
2. Survey
Even the smallest site needs to be measured and levels taken before we can start the design. The survey notes the location of visible objects, such as manhole covers and overhead lines. We also ask you for any house plans and the location of underground services. We draw up the survey data and then create a Site Analysis Plan, which highlights important information about the site such as views you want to see or hide, the direction of the prevailing wind and sun/shade areas. Surveys are carried out by Tracy Rich Design or, for more complex sites, a professional land surveyor.
3. Design
We send you a provisional design to see whether we're on the right track then arrange a second visit at your home. We present you with a set of detailed designs including 3D models and mood boards, which show materials, style and colour schemes. We make sure to incorporate any changes you need before moving onto the next stage.
4. Tender
Your garden should be built by a qualified, competent contractor. We can help you through the build by overseeing the tender process and any submissions to the local planning office on your behalf. Most crucially, we create a full set of tender documents that are sent to at least three independent contractors for a detailed build quote. The tender documents include an industry-standard specification, drainage plans, lighting plans, contour plans and construction drawings.
5. Build
After an initial meeting with you and your chosen contractor, we visit the site approximately once a week to assess progress and bring any issues and changes to your attention. At the end of the build we walk around the site with you to identify any problems before final sign off.
6. Planting
We create a customised planting plan for your garden based on soil and sun conditions, wildlife-friendly plants, and of course, any preferences you have. We are able to source plants through local or national nurseries and then plant each one to make your garden complete.
Tracy Rich Design provides the full range of garden design services. The six-step process described here is the same whether your garden is a small town courtyard or a large country estate.
Although most clients ask for the complete service package, we can mix and match services if you have specialised needs. We can also phase projects over a number of years if required.
Tracy Rich is the founder of Tracy Rich Design, a garden design consultancy based in Central Scotland. After receiving a Masters Degree in Geography from California's San Diego State University and a career in Geographic Information Systems in the US and UK, Tracy completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Residential Landscape Design at the Oxford College of Garden Design.
Tracy's background in geography highly influences her design approach. Knowledge of an area's history, architecture and environment ensures that a garden connects with its surrounding landscape. Each garden is truly unique, rooted in place, and provides a balance of simplicity, nature, and elegance.
While meeting clients' needs, Tracy Rich Design has a preference for materials that are as local, green and ethically responsible as possible. Plants with wildlife-friendly properties are also prefered, such as those offering a single rather than double flower structure and ones that are food and habitat rich.
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Monthly blogs are posted at tracyrichdesign.wordpress.com
Tracy Rich Design is a member of Stirling's Low Carbon Alliance, which brings together local businesses seeking ways to cut carbon.
Tracy Rich has successfully passed the Society of Garden Designers' Pre-Registration assessment.
The Association of Professional Landscape Designers awarded Tracy Rich a 2011 Student Silver Award for the Blewbury project.
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