Russell Page (1906-1985)

Russel page is a famous landscape architect, who partnered with Geoffrey Jellicoe in 1935 but worked on his own commissions from 1945-1962. He did small private gardens to public projects and had a diverse range of work. He also worked with sculptures to decide pieces for gardens. He wrote 'The Education of a Gardener' in 1962 and stated; 'whether I am making a landscape or a garden or arranging a window-box I first address the problem as an artist composing a picture ; my pre-occupation is with the relationship between objects whether I am dealing with woods, fields or water, rocks or trees, shrubs and plants or groups of plants.”

The first image is of Villa Silvio Pellico in Italy (1948) and aims to unify the style of the many different period gardens in the grounds. The design includes steps, a pool and a labyrinth at the bottom. The herringbone brick pattern surrounded by the hornbeam hedge creates a formal design. The formal feel of the garden contrasts the backdrop of colourful pink trees and staggered heights of coniferous planting. The symmetry is something I believe makes an impactful garden and instantly creates a feeling of peace and tranquility.

The second image is of Longleat House in England (1932). The gardens were designed to suit the Elizabethan mansion in wiltshire, Bath. He 'straightened the approach avenue, planted a secluded garden behind the orangery, and added an azalea and rhododendron planting by a beech grove.' The gardens are extremely formal and dominated by green grass which now is outdated and unsustainable. However at the time of its design the garden would have been impressive and grand, matching the infrastructure.

Dan Pearson

The above landscape design by Dan Pearson is set in Kent but inspired by the Greek island of Delos. Mediterranean drought-tolerant plants situated in dry stone walls thrive 'in their gently raised beds, oriented to catch the southern sun and containing a new, free-draining soil mix.' The plants are primarily of Greek origin and I think this creates a beautifully muted colour palette which complements the manor house. The uniqueness of the garden is subtle enough to believe it could be natural however there is an unfortunate starkness in some areas which could have been filled with some different heights of planting or features.

The above landscape, situated in Japan's northernmost island is named the Tokachi Millennium Forest. It has a 1000-year sustainability vision and stems out of the conservation efforts of the 'entrepreneur Mitsushige Hayashi to offset the carbon footprint of his national newspaper business'. the park itself is located in the wooded foothills of Hokkaido’s central Hidaka mountain range. The vision was to reduce habitat loss and to provide Japan's urban population with nature to respect. The masterplan was developed alongside local landscape designer, Fumiaki Takano. The Meadow garden (first photo) uses native perennials to introduce visitors to the region's flora and fauna and creates a joyful atmosphere. While I personally prefer the soft, sweeping waves of grassland in the Earth Garden (second photo) stunning in front of the mountain backdrop. I also find the way which the wide path flows through the area to be inviting.

Pascal Cribbier

Pascal Cribbier is a French gardener / landscape architect who entered the field after working with tree nurseries. His work aims to 'provide perspectives for the garden of the future' which is respectful of nature and natural resources leading to gardens becoming a 'place where economics and maintenance issues are as important as formal and aesthetical aspects'. He prefers to call himself a gardener because of the 'differences between nature and landscape on the one hand, and gardens on the other' as nature/landscape has no boundaries whereas the garden is an enclosed space where people can become absorbed 'by the contemplation of the ephemeral living'. 

His work; L’œil d'Aramon at Chateau de Plaisir in France. To me this is quite a simplistic piece of landscaping using inspiration from something which wouldn't typically be used for a garden however is really effective. It's simplicity and clean execution is what creates the impact of the piece, and it's definitely a center piece you could imagine in a modern, forward-thinking garden.