Cambridge Garden Design: Creating Biodiverse, sustainable Gardens

At the heart of our garden design philosophy is nature, ecology, and native planting. Every garden we create is not only sustainable but regenerative, designed to restore biodiversity, support local ecosystems, and contribute to the long-term health of the environment. In Cambridge, where development pressures are intense and green space is often limited, gardens have a unique role to play: they are more than aesthetic landscapes—they are living habitats, stepping stones for wildlife, and active contributors to local ecology.

We believe gardens should work within the food web, supporting insects, birds, mammals, and soil microorganisms, and reversing biodiversity loss. This approach guides every stage of our design process, from the first consultation to post-completion guidance.

How We Approach Garden Design in Cambridge

Ecology-First Design

Before any aesthetic decisions are made, we undertake a full ecological survey. Understanding the existing flora, fauna, soil, and microhabitats allows us to create gardens that are integrated with local ecology, rather than simply visually pleasing.

We use a suite of regenerative techniques, including:

• Seed-led design for establishing native wildflowers and meadows
• PAS100 compost and aerated seedbeds for long-term soil health
• Root-division and root-fragment planting for resilient perennial establishment
• Dead hedging and log piles to create interlocking habitat structures
• Soil regeneration techniques to improve compacted or degraded soils
• BNG-aligned domestic garden design for measurable biodiversity gains
• Naturalistic planting to mimic native ecosystems and seasonal rhythms

Our designs aim to create self-sustaining ecosystems that evolve over time, giving Cambridge gardeners a connection to nature and a meaningful impact on local biodiversity.

Cambridge Case Studies

Barnwell Road Verge (Abbey Ward)

Site: A 256-meter verge running parallel to Gal Alfred School in one of Cambridge’s most deprived wards.
Challenges: Compacted soil from years of parking, changing local behavior, limited budget, council bureaucracy, and socio-ecological objectives (linking green space to community wellbeing).
Design: The project incorporated deadwood habitat, a winding dead hedge, soil improvement using compost and deep-rooted plants, and climate-resilient trees and fruit bushes. The design also included ornamental elements to signal care and deter misuse.
Special Outcomes: The project created a connective habitat corridor and exemplified low-cost, nature-based soil restoration techniques. It successfully combined community engagement, ecological function, and visual design, showing how even challenging urban spaces can become wildlife havens.

Learning: Long-term success requires thoughtful species selection and ecological sequencing, highlighting that biodiversity-focused design is a slow, deliberate, and mindful process.

Domestic Cambridge Garden

Site: A family garden in Cambridge, originally intended for functional family use but underutilized for wildlife.
Challenges: Recalibrating client expectations, navigating family needs, and working within a modest budget. Challenges included dealing with cats using sand beds, installing unusual habitat materials, and the garden looking like a “bomb site” during construction.
Design: We created distinct habitats using rubble, sand, deadwood, and ecotones, combining annuals for rapid visual impact and perennials for long-term ecological resilience. The clients selected plants themselves with guidance, fostering ownership and deep engagement.
Special Outcomes: This garden became a learning tool for the clients, providing hands-on experience with ecological gardening. It quickly attracted wildlife and became a source of pride, education, and mindful interaction with nature.

Learning: Supporting clients through education and ongoing guidance is crucial. Transforming a domestic garden into a thriving ecological space requires both conviction in design choices and patience in implementation.

Key Principles from Our Cambridge Projects

1. Gardens are part of the local ecology — every design contributes to a broader habitat network and functions as a stepping stone for wildlife.
2. Regeneration over decoration — gardens should give back to the environment, not just look attractive.
3. Ecology first, aesthetics integrated second — beauty flows naturally from healthy ecosystems.
4. Patience and long-term thinking — species-rich biodiversity requires mindful planning and time.
5. Community and client engagement — understanding human use, behavior, and stewardship is vital for successful ecological gardens.

In Cambridge, gardens are more than private or public spaces—they are tools for ecological restoration, education, and engagement. By embedding regenerative practices, habitat creation, and biodiversity-focused planting, our designs help reverse the decline in local species and create thriving, resilient green spaces for people and wildlife alike.