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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

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

It`s Earth Day! A reminder that every garden, however small, can play a part in supporting the natural world.

My work has always been informed by a lifelong love of landscape and an instinctive understanding of the way gardens make us feel. I believe that a beautiful, well-designed garden can have a hugely positive impact on our wellbeing, but also that it should sit comfortably within its surroundings and support the environment around it.

Through thoughtful planting, sustainable materials and creating spaces for wildlife, gardens can become places that nurture both people and biodiversity.

From choosing climate-resilient planting to leaving seedheads for birds and insects, even the smallest decisions can have a lasting impact.

#EarthDay #EarthDay2026 #GardenDesign #Biodiversity #SustainableGarden #WildlifeFriendlyGarden

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18577796593004280
It's Earth Day! A reminder that every garden, however small, can play a part in supporting the natural world. My work has always been informed by a lifelong love of landscape and an instinctive understanding of the way gardens make us feel. I believe that a beautiful, well-designed garden can have a hugely positive impact on our wellbeing, but also that it should sit comfortably within its surroundings and support the environment around it. Through thoughtful planting, sustainable materials and creating spaces for wildlife, gardens can become places that nurture both people and biodiversity. From choosing climate-resilient planting to leaving seedheads for birds and insects, even the smallest decisions can have a lasting impact. #EarthDay #EarthDay2026 #GardenDesign #Biodiversity #SustainableGarden #WildlifeFriendlyGarden

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A quiet corner designed for slowing down in our Buckinghamshire garden.

Tucked beneath the trees, this side area looks out across soft drifts of grasses and planting, creating a calm and naturalistic feel.

A simple timber outbuilding, stacked logs and wood-burning stove give the space a sense of retreat - somewhere to sit, pause and enjoy the changing light through the trees.

Even the smaller, more tucked-away parts of a garden can become some of the most atmospheric and memorable spaces.

#GardenDesign #OutdoorLiving #NaturalisticPlanting #GardenRetreat

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18578344123016120
A quiet corner designed for slowing down in our Buckinghamshire garden. Tucked beneath the trees, this side area looks out across soft drifts of grasses and planting, creating a calm and naturalistic feel. A simple timber outbuilding, stacked logs and wood-burning stove give the space a sense of retreat - somewhere to sit, pause and enjoy the changing light through the trees. Even the smaller, more tucked-away parts of a garden can become some of the most atmospheric and memorable spaces. #GardenDesign #OutdoorLiving #NaturalisticPlanting #GardenRetreat

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A glimpse of my own garden in the soft light of early morning. The planting is just beginning to wake—daffodils lifting into the sun, fresh spring growth building structure and rhythm across the beds.

I like gardens to feel both designed and lived in: structured enough to hold the space, but loose enough to let the seasons lead.

Beyond the boundary, the landscape stretches out and reminds me how lucky I am to live in this part of the world.

#mygarden #gardendesign #springgarden

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18096664795858345
A glimpse of my own garden in the soft light of early morning. The planting is just beginning to wake—daffodils lifting into the sun, fresh spring growth building structure and rhythm across the beds. I like gardens to feel both designed and lived in: structured enough to hold the space, but loose enough to let the seasons lead. Beyond the boundary, the landscape stretches out and reminds me how lucky I am to live in this part of the world. #mygarden #gardendesign #springgarden

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A throwback to our garden on the banks of Christchurch Harbour, where the design was led by one simple idea - to let the landscape do the work and allow the beauty of the location to take centre stage.

#GardenDesign #CoastalGarden #LandscapeDesign

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18117880582647273
A throwback to our garden on the banks of Christchurch Harbour, where the design was led by one simple idea - to let the landscape do the work and allow the beauty of the location to take centre stage. #GardenDesign #CoastalGarden #LandscapeDesign

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Tulips planted en masse in the hot border at our New Forest project create a fleeting but unforgettable moment in the garden.

Planting at this scale brings real impact - drawing the eye through the space while still allowing each individual bloom to be appreciated. A rich mix of crimsons, fiery oranges and soft apricots creates warmth and vibrancy, lifting the whole scheme in early spring.

This combination includes Tulipa ‘Couleur Cardinal’, ‘Purple Prince’, ‘Continental’, Tulipa clusiana ‘Cynthia’ and ‘Ballerina’ — a carefully layered palette chosen for both colour and form.

Ephemeral, yes - but all the more powerful for it.

#Tulips #SpringGarden #PlantingDesign #GardenDesign #NewForestGarden

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 17934468054048643
Tulips planted en masse in the hot border at our New Forest project create a fleeting but unforgettable moment in the garden. Planting at this scale brings real impact - drawing the eye through the space while still allowing each individual bloom to be appreciated. A rich mix of crimsons, fiery oranges and soft apricots creates warmth and vibrancy, lifting the whole scheme in early spring. This combination includes Tulipa ‘Couleur Cardinal’, ‘Purple Prince’, ‘Continental’, Tulipa clusiana ‘Cynthia’ and ‘Ballerina’ — a carefully layered palette chosen for both colour and form. Ephemeral, yes - but all the more powerful for it. #Tulips #SpringGarden #PlantingDesign #GardenDesign #NewForestGarden

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The first signs of spring in the garden, and already full of life.

A tiny wren enjoying the lime-green flower heads of the Euphorbia right outside my kitchen window this morning — proof that even the earliest growth can provide vital food and interest for wildlife.

#GardenWildlife #Wren #SpringGarden #WildlifeFriendly #GardenDesign

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18098356079063154
The first signs of spring in the garden, and already full of life. A tiny wren enjoying the lime-green flower heads of the Euphorbia right outside my kitchen window this morning — proof that even the earliest growth can provide vital food and interest for wildlife. #GardenWildlife #Wren #SpringGarden #WildlifeFriendly #GardenDesign

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Wishing all our followers a joyful Easter break …and hopefully a little sunshine to enjoy your gardens. #happyeaster #gardendesign #Easter

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18069199823357865
Wishing all our followers a joyful Easter break …and hopefully a little sunshine to enjoy your gardens. #happyeaster #gardendesign #Easter

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An Isle of Wight project.

Tucked into the sheltered warmth of the Isle of Wight, this terraced garden is shaped by light, views, and a uniquely mild climate.

A rebuilt island stone wall, laid with traditional lime mortar, anchors the space—while layered planting brings it to life. Exotic species thrive here, with cool blue tones on the sunlit upper terraces and rich green textures below, softly screening the glasshouse and casting delicate summer shade.

Closer to the house, a herb living wall and flowing drifts of agapanthus frame a quiet spot to sit and pause.

#gardendesign #isleofwight #plantingdesign #gardeninspiration #landscapedesign

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18100973455763982
An Isle of Wight project. Tucked into the sheltered warmth of the Isle of Wight, this terraced garden is shaped by light, views, and a uniquely mild climate. A rebuilt island stone wall, laid with traditional lime mortar, anchors the space—while layered planting brings it to life. Exotic species thrive here, with cool blue tones on the sunlit upper terraces and rich green textures below, softly screening the glasshouse and casting delicate summer shade. Closer to the house, a herb living wall and flowing drifts of agapanthus frame a quiet spot to sit and pause. #gardendesign #isleofwight #plantingdesign #gardeninspiration #landscapedesign

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One of our favourite small multi-stem trees

Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ is loved for its striking heart-shaped foliage, with clusters of delicate spring flowers adding to its charm.

It pairs beautifully with fresh green planting and works perfectly in contemporary town gardens—like this one in #Poole.

A great choice for smaller spaces, it responds really well to careful pruning. This means it can be maintained at a manageable height without losing its natural elegance.

Selective pruning helps shape the tree over time (rather than cutting it back harshly), often encouraging larger leaves and a more sculptural form.

#Cerciscanadensis #multistem #treesforsmalgardens #towngardens

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18177660640384050
One of our favourite small multi-stem trees Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ is loved for its striking heart-shaped foliage, with clusters of delicate spring flowers adding to its charm. It pairs beautifully with fresh green planting and works perfectly in contemporary town gardens—like this one in #Poole. A great choice for smaller spaces, it responds really well to careful pruning. This means it can be maintained at a manageable height without losing its natural elegance. Selective pruning helps shape the tree over time (rather than cutting it back harshly), often encouraging larger leaves and a more sculptural form. #Cerciscanadensis #multistem #treesforsmalgardens #towngardens

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Nothing says spring quite like daffodils and blossom.

Gorgeous spring colours in our Hampshire Garden this month with drifts of golden narcissus and soft clouds of pink blossom - a simple pairing that captures the essence of the season.

As the light returns and the garden begins to stir, these early moments of colour and movement feel all the more special.

#springcolours #springgarden #springplanting #gardendesignhampshire

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18120486364619028
Nothing says spring quite like daffodils and blossom. Gorgeous spring colours in our Hampshire Garden this month with drifts of golden narcissus and soft clouds of pink blossom - a simple pairing that captures the essence of the season. As the light returns and the garden begins to stir, these early moments of colour and movement feel all the more special. #springcolours #springgarden #springplanting #gardendesignhampshire

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