22/04/2025 12:00 AM
Creating a tiered garden design is a fantastic way to make the most of a sloped outdoor space.
Recently, Berrie Garden Design transformed a client’s uneven garden into a stunning, multi-level retreat using our Venetian Hit and Miss Fence Panels paired with robust landscaping timbers to build attractive and functional retaining walls.
Making the Most of a Sloped Garden
A sloped garden can be tricky to work with, but it also offers great potential for creativity. Rather than seeing it as a limitation, this customer embraced the natural gradient of their plot, opting for a tiered garden design that added structure, character, and purpose to the space.
The first step was to establish the different levels. This was achieved by using high quality landscaping timbers to create sturdy retaining walls on the lower level, and then a stone gabion wall for the upper level. Landscape timbers are a great product to use for small retaining walls. These timbers were not only structurally sound but also added a natural, warm aesthetic that blended seamlessly with the garden's design.
Choosing premium landscaping timbers ensures the walls are built to last – they resist rot, warping, and weather damage far better than lower-grade alternatives. As a result, the tiers remain strong and safe, even after prolonged exposure to the elements.
We advise you do not cut landscape timbers and install them into the ground. Any timber that is cut should be treated with Jakcure® cut treatment and then that end should be installed out of the ground.
Privacy and Light with Venetian Hit and Miss Panels
To complement the newly formed garden tiers and to provide privacy and framing to the garden, our Venetian Hit and Miss fence panels were chosen. This style was the perfect choice for several reasons:
- Balanced Privacy and Light: The clever hit and miss design allows light to filter through while still providing a good level of privacy. This means that even the lower tiers of the garden can be enjoyed without feeling too enclosed.
- Contemporary Appeal: With clean horizontal lines, the Venetian Hit and Miss panels gave the garden a modern yet timeless look. They echoed the linear form of the tiers and helped create a cohesive, structured feel throughout the space.
- Wind Resistance: Thanks to the alternating boards, the design also allows air to pass through the panels. This is particularly helpful in elevated or exposed gardens, where wind load could otherwise be an issue.
For help on how to install fencing on a slope, read our advice.
Removal of concrete posts and old fence panels
To begin the project, the old fencing was removed, which consisted of closeboard panels supported by concrete posts. Concrete posts, while functional, are not as visually appealing and do not provide the same security benefits as wooden posts. Using wooden fence posts allows you to securely attach the fence panels to the posts, preventing the panels from being easily lifted. Additionally, wooden structures help eliminate rattling in the wind, which can be quite annoying. By using both wooden fence panels and posts, the garden design remains cohesive and free from the harsh lines of concrete, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the space.
Functional tiered garden
The retaining walls also gave the opportunity to create some garden beds and borders which were filled with beautiful and vibrant plants. Curved lines were used to break up the straight, horizontal lines that made up the tiers. The well established tree was given pride of place to one side of the garden which will provide shade for the garden room during the summer months.
For the higher levels of the garden, balustrade was installed to provide protection for the drop. Check regulations when it comes to installing balustrade next to a drop.
Related Content
Landscaping timbers are not the only option to manage sloped gardens. Read how wooden decking can be used to create functional space.
How to manage a sloping garden with decking
Another example of a steep garden transformed using landscape timber