Landscape
& Garden Design

Have you ever thought about what you actually see when you look out of your kitchen window?

One of the most overlooked aspects of garden design is the view from inside the house... and it can make all the difference.

That patio table and chairs placed right outside the back door might seem practical, but if it`s the first thing you see and you`re blocking the real star of the show: the planting.

Good garden design is about a building and a garden working together as a cohesive whole. That means being mindful of the wider landscape, and thoughtful about every angle. The views and compositions you see from your windows and doors are what draw you outside and lead you naturally to the best spots to pause and linger.

Entrances and thresholds work both towards the house and away from it, so they need to be considered carefully. Hard surfaces where they need to be, and not where they interrupt that connection with the garden. Furniture placed to enhance a composition, not dominate it. Paths that feel genuinely good to walk every single day, not something you rush through to get somewhere else.

Pictured here are a few of the views out onto my own garden.

#GardenDesign #GardenDesigner #GardenInspiration #OutdoorLiving #GardenViews #LandscapeDesign #HomeAndGarden ...

A deep border in summer...

This time of year, it`s all about the layering.

Here in my own garden Rosa `Scarborough Fair` is still putting on a soft pink and white show while the Phlomis is just turning to seed - providing structure that`ll carry me right through winter.

Meanwhile Stipa gigantea `Gold Fontaene` is catching every bit of light behind, and Veronicastrum album is gifting the border with elegant spires. You can also find Stachys `Hummelo` having a moment while Achillea millefolium (a proper UK native) creeps happily through the planting.

Nothing is forced and nothing is too neat. It`s just a summer border finding its own rhythm.

#summer #summerborder #mygarden #plantingdesign #phlomis #StipaGigantea ...

Our Buckinghamshire garden was looking glorious in the sunshine when we visited last week.   

The planting palette was inspired by the clients` love of plants, colour and, above all, pink, with layers of roses, herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses weaving together to create a landscape that feels vibrant, natural and full of movement throughout the seasons.

Every plant has been chosen not only for its beauty but also for its ecological value. Rich in nectar and pollen, the borders are alive with bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects, bringing the garden to life from spring through to autumn.

A beautiful garden should delight people, but it should also support nature. The two go hand in hand!

#gardendesign #gardenfornature #biodiversity #seasonalgarden #gardendesignbuckinghamshire ...

As temperatures continue to rise, it`s time we changed the way we think about shade.

We often view trees as something that blocks the light. Yet when we`re on holiday, we instinctively seek out the cool comfort of a tree canopy or a shaded terrace. Perhaps it`s time we brought that thinking home.

As our climate becomes warmer, I`ve noticed a real shift in the conversations I have with clients. Good garden design isn`t just about creating sunny spaces; it`s about creating comfortable spaces.

The same applies to our homes. Large expanses of glass may look beautiful, but they can quickly become uncomfortably hot in summer. The solutions are often expensive - specialist glazing, external structures or air conditioning - and many are either cut from the budget or added retrospectively.

A well-placed tree or large shrub can often achieve exactly the same objective, naturally. It provides shade in summer, helps cool the surrounding air, supports wildlife, stores carbon and creates a far more enjoyable place to spend time.

Of course, as with all planting, success comes down to choosing the right tree for the right place. Size, aspect, soil, proximity to buildings and long-term growth all need careful consideration.

Trees aren`t the problem, they are part of the solution!

#GardenDesign #ClimateResilientGardens #TreePlanting #SustainableDesign #GardenInspiration #LandscapeDesign #ShadeGardens ...

My `Plant of the Moment` has to be​ Echium pininana.

Sometimes called the​ `Tower of Jewels`, ​this striking biennial sends up a towering flower spike, often 3–4 metres tall, smothered in tiny purple​-blue flowers that bees and pollinators adore.

​Being native to the Canary Islands​, it`s best suited to sheltered coastal gardens or city microclimates​.

Pictured here in a garden we designed in Poole, Dorset and beautifully captured by @stephenstuddphotography​ it`s a real showstopper for anyone after some drama in the borders.

#EchiumPininana #TowerOfJewels #GardenDesign #PlantOfTheDay #Poole #coastalgarden ...

One of the joys of early summer planting is the incredible variety of texture and form on display.

In this border in one of our recent coastal gardens, the architectural flower spikes of Digitalis parviflora rise above a tapestry of softer planting, creating contrast, rhythm and movement. Behind them, drifts of Centranthus ruber add a haze of pink, while ornamental grasses bring lightness and a sense of natural flow.

It`s a combination that demonstrates how successful planting design is about far more than colour alone. Shape, structure, texture and seasonality all play a role in creating gardens that remain interesting and beautiful throughout the year.

As the season progresses, these planting combinations will continue to evolve, ensuring the garden is always changing and revealing something new.

#PlantingDesign #GardenDesign #GardenInspiration #Perennials #SeasonalInterest #NaturalisticPlanting #GardenLovers ...