Ham landscaping

Ham gardens and local considerations

Ham gardens are shaped by the area’s riverside location, proximity to Richmond Park and Ham Common, and the mix of period properties, Victorian terraces, and mid-century housing that characterise the streets between the Thames and the common. Gardens here often feature mature trees and established planting, reflecting Ham’s longstanding residential character and green, semi-rural feel despite proximity to Richmond and Kingston. The underlying London Clay affects drainage throughout the area, while properties near the river face specific challenges including high water tables, flood risk, and the need for planting that tolerates periodic waterlogging.

Ham Common provides a distinctive landscape influence, and many local gardens adopt naturalistic planting schemes with informal boundaries suited to the area’s parkland setting. Larger properties allow for layered structure and specimen trees, while terraced homes require more compact designs that balance practical use with year-round interest. Conservation area sensitivities apply to parts of Ham, particularly around Ham Common and Ham Street, meaning that hard landscaping and boundary treatments sometimes require thoughtful planning. Understanding these variables — from riverside conditions to clay soil management — ensures that garden design and construction decisions are made with long-term performance and local context in mind.

Recent work in Ham

Flourish Landscaping has deep roots in Ham. Craig’s father, Gerald Davis, began working in local gardens in 1955, developing his horticultural knowledge through decades of practical experience across Ham, Richmond, and Kingston. That family heritage continues today, with Flourish completing projects throughout Ham including riverside garden redesigns addressing drainage and flood resilience, naturalistic planting schemes suited to properties near Ham Common, and Victorian terrace transformations requiring sensitive hard landscaping and robust planting on clay soil.

Why choose Flourish Landscaping in Ham

• Family horticultural heritage in Ham dating back to 1955, when Gerald Davis began working in local gardens
• Seven decades of inherited knowledge of Ham’s specific soil conditions, riverside challenges, and local garden character
• Portfolio of completed projects across Ham, from riverside properties to Ham Common borders and Ham Street
• Understanding of Thames-side flood risk, water table management, and drainage solutions for riverside gardens
• Experience with conservation area planning sensitivities around Ham Common and Ham Street
• Knowledge of naturalistic planting schemes suited to Ham’s parkland setting and semi-rural character
• Deep familiarity with London Clay soil conditions and the drainage solutions required throughout the area
• Regular maintenance visits across Ham, Petersham, Richmond, and Kingston BSc (Hons)
• Horticulture qualification combined with inherited practical knowledge spanning three generations