Explore the hidden charm of a secluded seaside garden, complete with a private pier, nestled amid the priciest district of the United Kingdom
In the picturesque county of Dorset, contemporary garden designs are artfully crafted to seamlessly integrate with the coastal landscape. Stephanie Atkins, the owner of a modern seaside house located on the edge of Poole Harbour, wanted her home to settle quietly into the landscape, and she believes that her garden plays a crucial role in achieving this.
Spanning 790 square metres, the contemporary garden surrounding Atkins' house is a testament to the region's natural beauty. The garden is designed to embrace its setting, with local materials such as Purbeck stone used for paths and patios, gravel areas, and timber finishes harmonising with the coastal environment and the architecture of modern Dorset seaside homes.
The climate in the area is generally frost-free but fiercely windy, with a USDA hardiness zone of 9a. This necessitates the use of hardy, drought- and salt-tolerant plants. Key plants for coastal gardens, such as *erigeron* (fleabane), are used to great effect, self-seeding beautifully between stone paving. Coastal grasses and shrubs, while not specifically detailed, might include lavender, sea thrift, rockrose, and ornamental grasses.
The garden's colours and textures mirror the surrounding landscapes of Poole Harbour, with silver leaves and waving grasses providing a striking contrast against the backdrop of the two-storey house, clad in silvery iroko wood. Looking back at the house from the local marina, one can see a harmonious blend of modernity and nature.
Contemporary seaside gardens often incorporate defined garden rooms or zones that frame sea views and bring the outdoors in. These spaces serve as transitions between house and landscape, paying attention to light and spatial quality. Examples of such designs can be seen in projects like the Dorset Beach House in Swanage, where interiors and gardens are designed to maximise light and sea views, combining traditional forms with contemporary spatial arrangements.
In summary, contemporary garden design for Dorset seaside homes combines natural, breathable materials and coastal plant palettes within a structured but fluid layout that foregrounds seaside views and blends with the natural coastal environment. While precise plant lists or detailed coastal planting schemes from Dorset specifically are limited, typical coastal garden plant choices are based on regional practices for salt-tolerant, wind-resistant species common to southern England seaboards. For highly specific plant recommendations or detailed planting plans tailored to Dorset’s microclimates, local garden design professionals and coastal nurseries would be valuable resources.
For more inspiration, visit Helen Elks-Smith's work at elks-smith.co.uk.
- Stephanie Atkins' contemporary garden, spanning 790 square metres, uses local materials to integrate seamlessly with the Dorset coastal landscape.
- Coastal grasses like lavender, sea thrift, rockrose, and ornamental grasses enhance the garden's colors and textures, providing a striking contrast against Atkins' modern seaside house.
- To address the climate's frost-free but windy nature, erigeron (fleabane) and other hardy, drought- and salt-tolerant plants are used effectively in contemporary Dorset seaside gardens.
- Contemporary seaside homes in Dorset often feature garden rooms or zones that blend modernity and nature, providing transitional spaces and showcasing seaside views.
