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023 8178 2660
Email:
webenquiry@elks-smith.co.uk

Landscape
& Garden Design

About

Great gardens should be both beautiful and functional and we have the creative flair and expertise, coupled with extensive horticultural knowledge to ensure your space will work for you. We provide a comprehensive garden design service and can manage your project from the initial design stages right through to completion. We are also experienced at working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and we have a network of industry experts, such as lighting designers, water specialists and engineers, that we can call on as the project requires.

Our studio is based in the New Forest in Hampshire. We design gardens for private clients from across the South Coast, the Home Counties and London, covering a wide area that includes Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Sussex and Kent. We also work with architects and property developers designing residential, public and commercial projects.

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elkssmith

1,094 29,657

Award-winning practice led by Helen Elks-Smith, creating beautiful gardens. Speaker, writer, SGLD Fellow & judge & Your Garden Made Perfect designer.

DESIGN DETAILS: Obelisks are one of the simplest ways to bring structure and elegance into a garden. Whether anchoring a border, punctuating a long view, or adding height to a planting scheme, they give the eye something to settle on — even in winter.

They’re not just decorative. Obelisks support climbers like clematis, roses and sweet peas, allowing plants to grow vertically and turning flowers into living architecture. In smaller gardens, that vertical emphasis can make a space feel taller and lighter.

Placed in rhythm along a path or used as a single focal point, obelisks create order within abundance — a quiet framework for planting to perform around. Beautifully made by @oxfordplanters

#GardenDesign #PlantSupports #VerticalGardening #Obelisk #DesignDetails #SeasonalGarden #StructureInTheGarden

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18368464882094502
DESIGN DETAILS: Obelisks are one of the simplest ways to bring structure and elegance into a garden. Whether anchoring a border, punctuating a long view, or adding height to a planting scheme, they give the eye something to settle on — even in winter. They’re not just decorative. Obelisks support climbers like clematis, roses and sweet peas, allowing plants to grow vertically and turning flowers into living architecture. In smaller gardens, that vertical emphasis can make a space feel taller and lighter. Placed in rhythm along a path or used as a single focal point, obelisks create order within abundance — a quiet framework for planting to perform around. Beautifully made by @oxfordplanters #GardenDesign #PlantSupports #VerticalGardening #Obelisk #DesignDetails #SeasonalGarden #StructureInTheGarden

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This beauty is Crataegus × persimilis ‘Prunifolia’ — a small tree with a big personality. From its delicate, dark-green leaves to the fiery autumn glow and charming clusters of white blossoms in spring, it’s a year-round showstopper. Perfect for adding structure, color, and a touch of elegance to any garden.

#GardenDesign #Crataegus #SeasonalBeauty #Prunifolia #FloweringTree #OrnamentalTree #GardenTrees #treelovers

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18092242303921112
This beauty is Crataegus × persimilis ‘Prunifolia’ — a small tree with a big personality. From its delicate, dark-green leaves to the fiery autumn glow and charming clusters of white blossoms in spring, it’s a year-round showstopper. Perfect for adding structure, color, and a touch of elegance to any garden. #GardenDesign #Crataegus #SeasonalBeauty #Prunifolia #FloweringTree #OrnamentalTree #GardenTrees #treelovers

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A lovely trip to our Buckinghamshire garden this week to see its beautiful autumn colours.

The planting reflects the clients’ love of plants — a mix of roses, herbaceous perennials and grasses that draw insects in and keep the garden lively for months.

Last autumn we extended the planting and introduced native and non-native meadow mixes, which will add even more seasonal interest and support pollinators and other important insects.

#autumngarden #sustainablegarden #biodiversity #gardendesign

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18079173947329198
A lovely trip to our Buckinghamshire garden this week to see its beautiful autumn colours. The planting reflects the clients’ love of plants — a mix of roses, herbaceous perennials and grasses that draw insects in and keep the garden lively for months. Last autumn we extended the planting and introduced native and non-native meadow mixes, which will add even more seasonal interest and support pollinators and other important insects. #autumngarden #sustainablegarden #biodiversity #gardendesign

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Fred doing his morning rounds… checking in on the garden as the autumn colours really start to settle in.

There’s something lovely about seeing the season shift alongside the animals around us — the reds deepening, seedheads standing proud, and Fred quietly observing it all from the fence. Gardens aren’t just for people; they’re part of a wider landscape that everything interacts with.

Always good to have a four-legged quality-control officer on site.

#AutumnGarden #PlantingDesign #AutumnColours #SeasonalGarden #GardenDesign #HorsesAndGardens

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18110803567608400
Fred doing his morning rounds… checking in on the garden as the autumn colours really start to settle in. There’s something lovely about seeing the season shift alongside the animals around us — the reds deepening, seedheads standing proud, and Fred quietly observing it all from the fence. Gardens aren’t just for people; they’re part of a wider landscape that everything interacts with. Always good to have a four-legged quality-control officer on site. #AutumnGarden #PlantingDesign #AutumnColours #SeasonalGarden #GardenDesign #HorsesAndGardens

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It’s tempting to tidy the garden as the seasons change, but don’t be too quick with the secateurs! Seedheads bring so much life and beauty to the winter garden — their sculptural shapes catch the frost and glow in low sunlight.

More importantly, they provide vital food and shelter for birds, insects, and other wildlife when they need it most.

By leaving seedheads in place, you’re supporting nature and adding quiet elegance to your garden all winter long.

#Seedheads #autumnGarden #GardenDesign #SeasonalInterest #WildlifeFriendlyGardening #SustainableGardening #GardenInWinter #PlantLife #GardenInspiration

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18113231710514874
It’s tempting to tidy the garden as the seasons change, but don’t be too quick with the secateurs! Seedheads bring so much life and beauty to the winter garden — their sculptural shapes catch the frost and glow in low sunlight. More importantly, they provide vital food and shelter for birds, insects, and other wildlife when they need it most. By leaving seedheads in place, you’re supporting nature and adding quiet elegance to your garden all winter long. #Seedheads #autumnGarden #GardenDesign #SeasonalInterest #WildlifeFriendlyGardening #SustainableGardening #GardenInWinter #PlantLife #GardenInspiration

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Creating Atmosphere Through Plant Choice

Selecting the right plant is about more than colour or texture — it’s about shaping the atmosphere of a space.

Take Euphorbia wulfenii: its bold architectural form and luminous chartreuse bracts bring instant structure and light to a planting scheme. It has a commanding presence that feels both contemporary and natural, bridging the gap between wild energy and refined design.

In the right context, it can lift a space — adding vibrancy in spring and sculptural interest year-round.

Here it is in my own garden after the rain.

#GardenDesign #LandscapeDesign #OutdoorLiving #ModernGardens #DreamGarden #GardenInspiration #BespokeGardens #LuxuryGardens #ContemporaryDesign #GardenTransformation

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18041582324732738
Creating Atmosphere Through Plant Choice Selecting the right plant is about more than colour or texture — it’s about shaping the atmosphere of a space. Take Euphorbia wulfenii: its bold architectural form and luminous chartreuse bracts bring instant structure and light to a planting scheme. It has a commanding presence that feels both contemporary and natural, bridging the gap between wild energy and refined design. In the right context, it can lift a space — adding vibrancy in spring and sculptural interest year-round. Here it is in my own garden after the rain. #GardenDesign #LandscapeDesign #OutdoorLiving #ModernGardens #DreamGarden #GardenInspiration #BespokeGardens #LuxuryGardens #ContemporaryDesign #GardenTransformation

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Autumn Colour in the Garden.

This time of year brings a quiet richness — when foliage, flowers, and seedheads overlap in the most beautiful ways. Here are just a few of my favourites:

**Persicaria ‘Amethyst’ - one I turn to again and again, it has been flowering since August and is still going strong.
**Amsonia and Prunus serrula - pair beautifully together, their tones echoing each other as the light softens.
**Aster ‘Twilight’ and Aster ‘Purple Dome’ - carry the season with months of bloom and seedheads that shine in low light.
**Trifoliatum - works hard in the garden with its delicate flowers, great foliage, and soft autumn colour.
**Passiflora ‘Lavender Lady’ - adds a final splash — a reminder that gardens, like seasons, are full of small surprises.

#AutumnColour #GardenDesign #PlantingDesign #SeasonalGardens #AutumnPlanting #LandscapeDesign #DesignWithNature #FoliageAndForm

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 17877568014427835
Autumn Colour in the Garden. This time of year brings a quiet richness — when foliage, flowers, and seedheads overlap in the most beautiful ways. Here are just a few of my favourites: **Persicaria ‘Amethyst’ - one I turn to again and again, it has been flowering since August and is still going strong. **Amsonia and Prunus serrula - pair beautifully together, their tones echoing each other as the light softens. **Aster ‘Twilight’ and Aster ‘Purple Dome’ - carry the season with months of bloom and seedheads that shine in low light. **Trifoliatum - works hard in the garden with its delicate flowers, great foliage, and soft autumn colour. **Passiflora ‘Lavender Lady’ - adds a final splash — a reminder that gardens, like seasons, are full of small surprises. #AutumnColour #GardenDesign #PlantingDesign #SeasonalGardens #AutumnPlanting #LandscapeDesign #DesignWithNature #FoliageAndForm

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