A Modern British Flower Garden with Year-Round Colour: The Garden at Copper House

In the rolling countryside of Cranbrook, Kent, Copper House stands as a striking example of modern design and harmonious garden living. Built in 2015 by Stephen and Eleanor Cochrane, this beautiful home and garden blend cutting-edge architecture with the timeless beauty of the English landscape. Working with architect Colin Sharp, the couple crafted a home that is both contemporary and deeply connected to its surrounding environment. The garden, designed to provide vibrant colour and interest from April to October, is a testament to their passion for plants and thoughtful design.

Copper House: A Modern Architectural Gem

Copper House was conceived as a modern yet natural addition to the Kent landscape. Colin Sharp, an architect known for his ability to blend clean, modern lines with the natural world, worked closely with the Cochranes to design a home that takes full advantage of the countryside views. The property is defined by its large windows, which invite the garden inside, allowing the landscape to play a vital role in the home’s aesthetic.

“We always wanted the house to be a place where the garden felt like an extension of our living space,” says Stephen. “Colin helped us bring that vision to life with his incredible design. The way the house is positioned, you can appreciate the garden from almost every room.”

The home’s minimalist architecture, with its sleek lines and open-plan spaces, provides the perfect backdrop for the garden. The result is a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living, where the changing seasons of the garden can be enjoyed throughout the year.

A Garden Designed for Year-Round Colour

The Cochranes' garden was designed with a focus on succession planting, ensuring there is always something in bloom throughout the growing season. From the early stirrings of spring to the final blooms of autumn, the garden is a vibrant and dynamic space.

Currently, the late-summer and early-autumn stars of the garden are in full bloom. Aster 'Prairie Purple' brings a striking pop of violet, while Tithonia 'The Torch', with its bold orange blooms, adds a tropical touch. The arching stems of Persicaria orientalis, with their delicate pink flowers, lend a graceful air, and the dahlias, in an array of deep reds and soft pastels, create a rich and varied display that continues well into October.

“We love how the garden evolves over the year,” says Eleanor. “There’s always something new to catch your eye. Even on a rainy day, the view from inside the house feels alive.”

The Challenge of Wealden Clay

Situated on heavy Wealden clay, the garden presented its own unique set of challenges. Wealden clay is known for its density and poor drainage, making it difficult for many plants to thrive. However, the Cochranes embraced these conditions, carefully choosing plants that would thrive in the naturally rich but moisture-retentive soil.

“We knew the soil would be a challenge,” says Stephen, “but once we embraced it and selected plants that could handle the conditions, the garden really began to flourish. The clay actually holds onto nutrients well, which gives the plants an added boost.”

By focusing on soil improvement techniques and selecting hardy perennials like asters, persicarias, and grasses that could tolerate the moisture, the Cochranes created a lush and colourful garden that thrives even in less-than-ideal conditions.

A Garden for Every Season

While the garden is at its peak now, with asters and dahlias in full bloom, the design ensures that it offers beauty and interest in every season. Early in the year, snowdrops and crocuses push through the soil, followed by tulips and alliums in a display of vibrant spring colour. By summer, the garden is alive with roses, delphiniums, and foxgloves, their blooms filling the space with a palette of soft pinks, purples, and whites.

As the year progresses into autumn, the garden transitions into deeper hues. Asters, dahlias, and persicarias provide a final burst of colour before the first frosts, while ornamental grasses sway gently in the breeze, adding texture and movement. Even in winter, the garden retains its structure, with the silhouettes of trees, shrubs, and dried seed heads providing a peaceful, architectural beauty.

Copper House: An Indoor-Outdoor Sanctuary

One of the key features of Copper House is how the architecture and garden work together to create a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living. Colin Sharp’s design intentionally framed the most striking garden views, making nature a central part of the home’s atmosphere. Every window offers a different perspective, drawing the eye to the seasonal changes outside.

“We spend so much time indoors, especially in the colder months,” says Eleanor. “It was important for us that the garden could still be appreciated from inside the house. The large windows give us that constant connection to nature, no matter the weather.”

This integration of house and garden creates a sense of peace and continuity throughout the year. Even in the depth of winter, when the flowers have faded, the structure of the garden remains strong, offering a tranquil, meditative quality.

A Modern Garden Masterpiece

For anyone looking to create a garden with year-round interest, this is a perfect example of how thoughtful plant selection and design can transform even challenging soil into a thriving, beautiful space. The Cochrane's have shown that with creativity, determination, and the right plants, even the toughest of conditions can yield a spectacular result.

For details of garden opening on the 7th September 2025 go to the

National Garden Scheme website