House On Stilts

About House On Stilts

A 1/3 acre garden surrounds a mid century modern wooden house on stilts looking out across the estuary to Llansteffan with Laugharne around the headland. The garden sits in a rural location surrounded by farmland and estuary. It is designed to sit quietly within this environment and be wildlife friendly, consisting of a mosaic of different habitats for biodiversity.
A large ephemeral pond to the rear is fed by a natural spring and rain water from the roof as a result the water level fluctuates providing a home for amphibians and invertebrates, bathing birds and a resident family of Moorhen. A bog garden around the pond is planted with impressive gunneras underplanted with ferns, marsh marigolds, primulas and flag irises in spring. These are followed by succession of perennials as the seasons unfold.
Mature trees, native hedging and a pocket woodland provide a shady area and a place for birds to breed, feed and shelter. A variety of nectar and pollen rich bulbs, perennials and shrubs provide a food source throughout the year for butterflies, bees, wasps and other pollinating insects; also host plants are provided for caterpillars of butterflies & moths.
In contrast to this a drought tolerant garden to the front with silver foliage planting in sand & gravel, as fitting its coastal location, is topped with cockle shells paying homage to the local cockle picking industry.
The garden follows sustainable practice, is peat & chemical free and all waste material from the garden is recycled on site in compost heaps, woodpiles and dead hedges; which in turn also can be incredible places for wildlife to live, feed and hibernate.
The garden slopes with steps to viewing platforms and seating is planned throughout the garden to provide opportunities to appreciate the planting, wildlife and enjoy a relaxing break.

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Coastal front garden, wildlife pond with viewing deck, bog garden, native hedging summerhouse (for sheltering from the rain), slopes planted with shrubs, perennials, bulbs and edibles, wild area with log pile etc. Potting shed and propagation area. Compost corner.