Finishing Touches: The Landscaping Behind Our Latest Showhome
16th Sept, 2025As part of bringing our latest showhome to life at Park View, thoughtful landscaping played a key role in creating a welcoming and cohesive outdoor space.
Working closely with our trusted Landscape Designer, Kirsty McLean at the Garden Design Company Scotland, we carefully considered every element - from plant selection to layout - to ensure the garden not only complements the home’s exterior but also enhances the overall feel of the development. Below, Kirsty shares insight into the design choices and the inspiration behind the finished result.
Designing the landscape for the show home at Scotia Homes Ltd.'s Park View development in Kintore, begins with a deep understanding of the company's ethos, personality, and position within the market.
When I think about these elements, I know that I am already looking for a design that is elegant, timeless, functional, sustainable and that caters to a wide demographic.
The design for a new show home is pivotal in creating an inviting and memorable first impression. A well-designed landscape not only enhances the property’s aesthetic appeal but also showcases its potential to prospective buyers.
It is important that this complements the home’s architectural style. Scotia put a huge amount of time and thought into the detail of the architecture so, it is important that I have understood and brought that detail into my design.
In this case, the main components of the design are bold lines, simplicity, architectural planting, zoning, enclosure, symmetry and strong focal points.
The design prioritizes relaxation with a low-maintenance, fuss-free approach. The oversized spiral and sphere topiaries make a bold visual statement but require only an annual trim to maintain their shape—along with regular feeding and watering. The grassed area is simple to keep and provides an emerald-green sea of calm, allowing all the focus to go to the architecture, planting and signage. Where the topiary spheres are planted, there is a permeable membrane around these with a mulch of decorative aggregate, making for a very low maintenance combination with clean, contemporary lines.
A small section of hard landscaping in the front garden features a square border, edged with granite setts, adding texture and structure. At its centre stands a weeping blossom tree, offering a striking contrast to the precise architecture of the surrounding planting. It’s soft, relaxed shape is complemented by delicate pale pink flowers and leaves that turn a rich red in autumn
The rear garden is enclosed by an evergreen Laurel hedge (Prunus Rotundifolia), planted at almost 1.8m high. The design here is intended to be simple and elegant with the focal point being an aluminium, anthracite grey Pergola with integrated LED lighting and contemporary furniture, on a square of paving connected to the house by a stepping-stone path flanked by soft, evergreen topiary spheres creating symmetry at the heart of the garden.
Up lighting the topiary and planting, brings to life the amazing shapes and textures in the night garden, with the final touch being the addition of fairy lights draped over the Pergola’s structure.
The scene is set, and the show home and garden are ready to greet you – how can you resist!!
If you’re inspired by the landscape design at our showhome and would like to learn more or enquire about similar work, you can visit Kirsty's website here.
