Naturalist Simplicity

Hillside

03

Pearson

Morgan, H. (2019). Hillside - Dan Pearson Studio. [online] Dan Pearson Studio. Available at: http://danpearsonstudio.com/hillside/ 

 Dan Pearson

Practising landscape and garden designer since 1987

Dan Pearson is a British horticulturalist, gardener and writer. His work includes a naturalistic approach; but both bold and confident. His expertise in  art history and horticulture assist in his great ability to create such impressive landscapes. 

Morgan, H. (2019). Hillside - Dan Pearson Studio. [online] Dan Pearson Studio. Available at: http://danpearsonstudio.com/hillside/

Design Process

“There’s this wonderful Japanese word shun, which is when something is full of its life force”

Dan Pearson aims to provide landscapes and gardens with an all year round focal interest, with the use of a dense and well considered planting palette. this includes the revitalisation of colour and biodiversity in places such as country house gardens or even town house roof terraces. Herbaceous boarders, cottage gardens and the Prairie style is common in his work.

He believes that time is the measure of what is achievable in garden design and so what he produces is in effect of the pace and engagement he has with the site. The concept of time is also extended with the vast species that produce fruits. The plum harvest in particular lasts from summer to autumn and is closely followed by the garnering of apples. This proves that design can produce different spectacles for the senses during all the seasons and maintains an unpredictability of what will bloom or change next. 

Morgan, H. (2019). Hillside - Dan Pearson Studio. [online] Dan Pearson Studio. Available at: http://danpearsonstudio.com/hillside/

Review

The unusual but impressive mixtures of plants that Dan Pearson uses really create a dramatic effect. I understand that he tries to match the colours and form of the surrounding architecture and is able to confidently decorate boarders with what seems like great ease. His style is very fluid but still has formality and ultimately every area looks just as stunning as the next. 

The use of texture is relevant to this style as with dense areas of vegetation, sometimes sections need to be softened with delicate species and uninteresting spaces need artistic species to cut through the familiarity of some herbaceous plants. 

With this project in particular, Pearson has been able to create a planting schedule that appears to be something that is perfectly handcrafted for the setting and context; the tones of green compliment the stone of the house, the bursts of colour are arranged to outline the barn and the small flowers assist in accomplishing such detail. Overall, the planting illustrates Dan Pearson's ability and knowledge of the horticultural world. The naturalistic approach is perhaps my favourite theme, aesthetically, because it isn't too harsh on the eye and it gives a sense of romance and calm. I am glad to have found a landscape architect that I can learn from and can be inspired by.