Transforming Sunflower Cottage with a beautiful three tear garden

A beautifully crafted three-tier garden in Norfolk for Karen Nunn, blending structural landscaping with her horticultural vision. Complete with circular lawns, a fruit and veg garden, and a peaceful wildflower meadow with pond.

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Curved gravel pathway winding round a luscious green lawn on one side and following a flower bed on the other. the picture is taken as the sun is setting and there warm mood lighting coming from between the plants in the flower bed.

Sunflower Cottage

Garden Landscaping
Tiered Garden Design
Indian Sandstone Patio
Pond & Water Features
Soil Preparation

Client

Karen Nunn

Date

November 2024

Location

Sunflower Cottage, Norfolk

The Vision

When Karen Nunn, a passionate gardener with professional horticultural qualifications, approached us with her hand-drawn plan for Sunflower Cottage’s outdoor space, we knew this project was going to be something special. Karen had a clear and creative vision for her garden – a functional yet tranquil sanctuary that reflected her love of nature and gardening expertise.

Our role was to bring her vision to life through the hard landscaping work, ensuring each tier of the garden would set the stage for her planting to shine.

Karens original hand drawn plan

The Challenge

The original ground was tired and uneven, with poor soil quality and minimal structure. We had to undertake significant excavation and rotavating before mixing in sand to improve the subsoil. New layers of high-quality topsoil were then installed to give the garden the foundation it needed to thrive.

Back garden of house with plain boring lawn and unhealthy grass and a rattan furniture set sitting on an old paved area just outside the house.

The Process & Build

We divided the garden into three distinct zones, each designed to serve a unique purpose:

1. Relaxation Area

This upper tier features two circular lawns connected by a curved gravel path, framed neatly with steel edging. Rounded Indian sandstone patios edged with setts provide warm, natural tones that complement the gentle curves and soft landscaping Karen planned. The layout invites you to slow down and enjoy the space.

2. Productive Garden

Stepping over a purpose-built bridge leads to the fruit and vegetable zone. Here, we laid a brickweave path that subtly guides you through planted beds, under a newly installed steel pergola that adds height, structure, and a focal point for climbing plants. It’s a working area that doesn’t compromise on visual charm.

3. Wild Meadow & Pond

 At the lowest level, we created a natural garden setting complete with a wildflower meadow. A bespoke pond was installed, bordered by upright sleepers that provide privacy for a quiet seating area behind. This tier was all about creating a peaceful connection with nature.

The Result

The transformation at Sunflower Cottage is a true collaboration between client vision and quality workmanship. Karen’s planting has brought life and colour to the space, perfectly complementing the structural elements we installed.

"Jamie and his team were a delight to work with from start to finish. Polite, professional and always approachable, they made the entire landscaping process smooth and enjoyable... The quality of the work is outstanding, and the garden has been transformed into a beautiful, functional space I’m proud of."

Final Thoughts

This project is a testament to what can be achieved when client vision meets skilled execution. We’re proud to have helped Karen shape a garden that reflects her creativity, expertise, and love of nature.

Karen’s Original Plan

A big part of what made this project so unique was the hand-drawn plan Karen created at the beginning. It outlined the shape of the lawns, paths, patios, pond, and planting beds with great attention to detail. Her drawing gave us a clear direction and set the tone for a garden that feels personal, functional, and beautifully thought out. 

Before & After Gallery

Back garden of house with plain boring lawn and unhealthy grass and a rattan furniture set sitting on an old paved area just outside the house.
Boring plain back garden with hedge at the bottom and old wooden fence along the side.
Back lawn with dying grass and small hedgerow on one side with green house on the other side of hedgerow.
Boring back lawn on a partially cloudy day.
Back garden which has had lawn removed and new patio area in the process of being built.
Back garden completely ripped up by digger just leaving the muddy top soil underneath and the old patio area.
Back garden completely ripped up by digger just leaving the dry top soil underneath. the digger has also marked up where the new lawn will be and the path which will surround it.
Back garden completely ripped up by digger just leaving the dry top soil underneath.
Back garden in the process of getting renovated. new look healthy lawn has been laid with the surrounding area under construction.
Back garden in the process of getting renovated. new look healthy lawn has been laid with the surrounding area under construction. A new patio curved patio area has also been laid at the front of the lawn.
Back garden in the process of getting renovated. new look healthy lawn has been laid with the surrounding area under construction. A new patio curved patio area has also been laid at the front of the lawn and another circular paved area at the rear of the garden with new outdoor furniture.
Decorative metal butterflies in corner of flower bed lit by warm ambient mood lighting at night.
Curved gravel pathway winding round a luscious green lawn on one side and following a flower bed on the other. the picture is taken as the sun is setting and there warm mood lighting coming from between the plants in the flower bed.
A cosy patio area in corner of garden with white outdoor furniture sitting on the paved slabs. The area is partially secluded by flowers and other tall plants with an circular black iron pergola arching over the entrance to the area.
A cosy patio area in corner of garden with white outdoor furniture sitting on the paved slabs. The area is partially secluded by flowers and other tall plants with an circular black iron pergola arching over the entrance to the area. The picture is taken from further down the garden which shows the curved gravel pathway wrapping round the lawn leading to the cosy patio area.
Outdoor dining area with lit dwarf trees either side of the dining area creating a very relaxed secluded atmosphere.
A cosy patio area in corner of garden with white outdoor furniture sitting on the paved slabs. The area is partially secluded by flowers and other tall plants with an circular black iron pergola arching over the entrance to the area. The sun is setting but the pathway leading to the area and the patio area itself is surrounded by warm lighting protruding from the greenery and vegetation surrounding the area.
Picture taken from back of garden facing house during sunset. the garden is well lit by warm lighting and a gravel pathway wraps along the outside of the lawn in the centre. Outside the french doors of the house which leads into the back garden is a paved area with an outdoor dining table.
Picture taken from the perspective of sitting at the outdoor dining table viewing the rest of the garden during dusk.
Decorative metal butterflies in corner of flower bed surrounding the outdoor lounging area. The decorative butterflies are lit by warm ambient mood lighting at night.
Outdoor dining area with lit dwarf trees either side of the dining area creating a very relaxed secluded atmosphere just outside french doors at the rear of the house.
Outdoor dining area with lit dwarf trees either side of the dining area creating a very relaxed secluded atmosphere just outside french doors at the rear of the house.
A cosy patio area in corner of garden with white outdoor furniture sitting on the paved slabs. The area is partially secluded by flowers and other tall plants with an circular black iron pergola arching over the entrance to the area. The picture is taken from further down the garden which shows the curved gravel pathway wrapping round the lawn leading to the cosy patio area.
Curved gravel pathway winding round a luscious green lawn on one side and following a flower bed on the other. the picture is taken as the sun is setting and there warm mood lighting coming from between the plants in the flower bed.