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.