Hampstead

The Reimagining of a Timeless Historic Garden

When my client approached me to design their garden in Hampstead, it was clear that the space needed to complement their charming historic property while embracing the energy of contemporary living.

Balancing tradition with modernity, I used my experience and a deep understanding of the natural world to craft a garden transformation that feels both timeless and fresh.

Central to the design was a drift planting scheme—an approach inspired by nature’s organic rhythms. This style allows clusters of plants to blend and flow seamlessly, creating a stunning tapestry that feels at home in its surroundings. The effect is harmonious and ever-changing, echoing the natural landscapes that inspire it.

To bring life and energy to the space, I opted for a vibrant colour scheme. Rich shades of blue, purple, white, and red weave through the planting, paired with an array of grasses and ferns. From deep, moody greens to bright, zesty lime tones, these plants capture and reflect light beautifully, ensuring the garden offers joy even on the dullest of days.

To give the garden a sense of continuity with its surroundings, I planted multi-stemmed silver birches (Betula jacquemontii). Their elegant white bark mirrors the nearby woodland, while their graceful form adds structure and gentle movement. These trees bridge the garden’s historic charm with a touch of modern vivacity, rooting the design firmly in the present.

For contrast and year-round interest, I introduced groupings of Buxus balls in varying sizes. These create a multi-storied landscape that shifts with the seasons. To add a formal element, pleached hornbeams (Carpinus betulus) frame the space with their structured lines, offering a perfect counterpoint to the naturalistic drift planting.

This Hampstead garden now feels like a true extension of its historic home, while offering a fresh, modern energy. It’s a space that invites both relaxation and inspiration, grounded in nature and designed to thrive

For more information please contact Tim on 07843 487 394
or email: tim@everchangingdesign.co.uk

Other Projects

A London School Food Garden Design

Cultivating Community

Wildflower Garden at Ely Cathedral

Naturalistic Planting Design

A Woven River Show Garden

A compact garden alive with colour and pollinators

Radlett in Hertfordshire

The calm of water, glow of fire, strength of form

Customer Testimonials

“Although we are both passionate about gardening, we thought hiring a designer would make the garden more aesthetically cohesive.

We wanted someone with experience to bounce ideas off and make a garden that is welcoming and beautiful.

Tim immediately understood the kind of atmosphere we hoped to create and was knowledgeable about which kinds of plants would work best. Our garden looks even better than I could have imagined.”

“I would be happy to recommend Tim to anyone thinking of transforming their garden.

Tim achieved a good balance between following our vision and adding lots of interesting ideas. He incorporated elements that were important to us, such as our water fountain, while suggesting many other things.

Overall, we couldn't be happier with the wonderful garden Tim designed for us. It really is our favourite thing about coming home!”

“Nothing we asked was too much trouble for Tim.

We were working on a major building project at the same time, so Tim’s soothing, measured approach was a real pleasure.

The finished garden is extremely calming and reflects our whole experience of working with Tim.”

“We set a tough brief for Tim in terms of functionality of space and views from the house.

Tim’s use of computer models allowed us to really understand what we would get and what the design would look like from all aspects which gave us confidence to proceed with the design.

Tim managed the work on site very diligently with lots of attention to detail which made a huge difference to quality. The finished product is amazing!”