Explore an Autumnal Garden with Wildlife and Solace at its Heart

A natural garden swimming pond with chairs and sun loungers to the side on a wooden deck — *A natural swimming pool, a sweeping chalk meadow and an edible hedgerow give this South Buckinghamshire garden its wildlife-first character*

(Image credit: Julie Skelton)

Imagine walking out of your back door and being able to swim enveloped in nature almost every day – even through the winter. Such was the vision for this garden in Buckinghamshire, UK.

The brief was to create a biodiverse landscape that encouraged wildlife, and provided a sanctuary for the owners, too. Both clients work in the veterinary sector, and dreamed of a garden connected to the rolling fields and hedgerows of the surrounding landscape. They wanted the garden to support wildlife, while providing space to swim, grow food, entertain and spend more time outdoors.

The design by Rachel Platt Garden Design deliberately changes character as it moves through the space: stronger geometry around the house gives way to softer curves, a sweeping chalk meadow and an experimental edible hedgerow towards the fields beyond.

A natural, round garden swimming pond surrounded by wooden deck and soft planting — *The natural pool was designed in collaboration with* *Ellicar Natural Pools*

At the heart of the garden is an unheated natural swimming pool, designed as both a wildlife habitat and a place for the owners to reconnect with nature. Previously, the clients regularly drove elsewhere to swim in rivers and spent relatively little time in their own garden.

Planting softens the pool’s edges, and it has already attracted dragonflies and bats, reinforcing its role as part of the garden’s wider ecosystem. ‘The garden has become a haven, a place to find balance and feel miles away from everything… And our natural pond is a total escape all through the seasons,’ say the clients.

The pool comprises of a ‘swim zone’ and the ‘regeneration zone’. The swim zone is clear of plants and wildlife, while the regeneration zone is planted with a range of aquatic planting to provide hydrobotanical filtration.

Around the shoreline are plants for colour, seasonal structure and sensory fragrance. These include fragrant water mint, water forget-me-nots, native flag irises, lythrum salicaria robert, marsh marigolds, ragged robin, water arvens and purple loosestrife . These flower from March to September and are great for attracting pollinators and moths.

In the mid section are deeper growing aquatics like common water plantain (Allisima plantago-aquatica) and arrowhead (Saggitaria saggitifolia). They provide late summer flowers and seedheeds and perfect for emerging dragon flies to crawl up the stems and un furl their wings.

Flowering gaura in pale pink around the edge of a natural pond — *Flowering gaura, available from Plant Addicts,* *creates a frothy effect, softening the pool's edges with its airy blush pink blooms*

The pool wasn’t always going to be round. The original concept featured a formal linear pond positioned to reflect the mature birch tree, visible through the large French doors off the open-plan kitchen and living space. However, existing drainage and a suspected utility service running across the garden led to the design being reworked as a circular pool.

Sustainability and sentiment were of equal importance in this design. The existing terrace and two ponds were retained for their environmental value and the wildlife they support. Much of the existing planting was also saved or relocated, including the clients’ fig tree (Ficus carica) and lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis), as well as much-loved raspberries and rhubarb.

The result is a garden that is, in the clients’ words, full of life. ‘We have frogs, toads and newts that reproduce in all the ponds, as do several dragonfly species. We have even seen a water snake! Many birds pop down to the pond using the beach area (not present in conventionally ponds) to allow them to get into the water and bathe safely.’

Wooden pergola over gavel path — *A wooden pergola provides structure and height over the raised kitchen garden*

An edible hedge provides another link between garden and landscape, combining common hazel (Corylus avellana), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), Blackberry (Ribes ‘Lowberry Little’), black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), Damson ‘Sweet Prune’, pear (Pyrus) and Serviceberry (Amelanchier).

It provides structure, blossom, fruit and habitat, while creating a gradual transition into the meadow. The clients specifically leave the meadow uncut over the winter to give insects birds and small mammals seeds to feed on and a place to overwinter.

The garden also includes a productive kitchen garden and grapevine pergola, a firepit with boulder seating and an outdoor shower.

‘The raised kitchen garden brings a seasonal bounty with no artificial interventions. We love sitting round the fire pit with the family in the evening, or early in the morning when the sun strikes the lovely polished granite blocks and warms you up,’ they say.

Autumnal garden landscape with ornamental grasses, gaura, and a patio table with large wicker chairs — *A dedicated dining space is surrounded by established native trees and ornamental grasses*

The clients asked for color and interest in autumn because they liked the tones associated with that season. The planting is designed to provide strong autumn color and texture.

Ornamental grasses including Miscanthus ‘Beth Chatto’, Anemanthele lessoniana and Carex testacea.

This is combined with perennials including blue leadwood (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides), white gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri) and Turkish sage (Phlomis russeliana), alongside shrubs such as Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’, Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ and Pinus mugo ‘Mops’.

Stepping stone path with evergreen planting in gaps — *The intricate and detailed pathway planting includes* *blue leadwood (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides), which you can find at Plant Addicts*.

The standout autumnal plants include Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’, more commonly known as burning bush, chosen for its beautiful multi-stem structure, which adds height to the border without becoming dense and overbearing, while also providing bright red color in fall.

Miscanthus ‘Beth Chatto’ was included to provide soft screening for the kitchen garden, adding movement and brown, harvest-like tones.

Blue leadwood, or Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, is a client favourite that also produces a vibrant, almost blue color, that is rare to find in flowers.

Autumnal garden landscape with ornamental grasses in the sunshine and large trees in background — *This beautiful autumn border features* *Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’, available from Nature Hills, Miscanthus ‘Beth Chatto’, and Oenothera lindheimeri*

As the beds go into spring, evergreen structure with interesting foliage, such as Pinus mugo and Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’, will take centre stage.

Grasses like Carex testacea, with plants such as Epimedium x perralchicum ‘Frohnleiten’ and Bergenia purpurascens ‘Irish Crimson’, carry through the orange, red and yellow tones of fall into spring.

Close up of red hawthorn berries in fall

For the clients, the redesign has changed what a garden means to them, and allowed them to truly reconnect with nature.

‘We really have our own little Eden,' they say. 'Redesigning the garden has totally transformed what a garden space can mean. It was the best decision we have ever made.'

An autumnal garden landscape with gravel paths, fire pit and ornamental grasses at sunset

Garden design: Rachel Platt Garden Design
Photography: Julie Skelton
Hard landscaping: Silva Landscapes
Natural pool supplier: Ellicar Natural Pools
Ongoing garden maintenance: Lydia Watson of Hen Hill Cut Flowers