Blog

Updated 2021: So you’ve got your ticket in hand for the Chelsea flower show and giddy with excitement you can’t wait to see what’s on offer. However, some key advice will help you avoid pitfalls, mental/physical fatigue and put your mind at rest so you can enjoy the world’s most celebrated flower show. The main […]

Understanding which compass point your garden faces: A gardens aspect, ie which way your garden faces North, South East or West, is one of the first things I do when I’m working on new garden designs. If you ignore the position of the sun in the garden you will struggle to find the correct plants. […]

This show garden is split into different zones to represent the diverse eclectic mix of community gardens here in the North West. I’ve designed this garden around the theme of diversity and accessibility. With a number of zones to represent them. Grow your own in urban spaces Community Orchard & Wild Flowers for wildlife Community […]

Modernist garden design is a striking way to design your outdoor space to fully connect it to your home, especially if you’re completely renovating your house with a super slick modern look. This design style is very distinct and very much requires an ‘all in’ approach. Ideally, the modernist garden design will be part of […]

Updated 2021: You’re ready to get stuck in, to create your dream new build garden oasis. You have this brand-new green space that could become something amazing. It may look very similar to the new build example below. Then it hits you. You have no idea where to start and every idea you have doesn’t […]

Mediterranean gardens are the true sun worshippers of the garden design styles. Using plants that love full sun and earthy tones these spaces can become an oasis of calm in your back garden. Even if you aren’t blessed with the south-facing garden you can still steal some of the principles of the hot Mediterranean garden […]

Updated 2021: However, the majority of do-it-yourself Japanese garden designs fall short of an authentic Japanese garden design. Some Japanese garden designs bear little resemblance to the calming nature of their ancestors. Some being loud, disjointed and confusing. Gardeners hoping the odd buddha head or rogue bamboo will invoke the feelings of the far east. […]

There are many guides out there on how to plant a hedge some confusing and others too brief. In true Garden Ninja style, I’m going to take you through the process step by step. Allowing anyone to follow this bulletproof guide to planting a garden hedge. I’ll be guiding you through the various methods from […]

Roses are the quintessential English garden plant. You would be hard pushed to find someone who doesn’t have a fondness for the rose. Whether it be that bridal bouquet, valentines day or visits to English country gardens; the rose is one of the most iconic garden flowers. However, the beauty of roses also comes with […]

For the most part knots in life are a pain. They may be causing drama tying your shoelaces, snagging up your weave or preventing you from rearranging your garden climbers due to tightly tied twine. One place where a knot is welcomed is in the formal garden design style of knot gardens. Knots here are […]

Updated 2021: Whether you have just planted a hedge or inherited one in your garden this guide will show you how to cut a hedge in the most efficient way. Ignore those fears that cutting a hedge is a full weekend of drama. It really doesn’t have to be with the correct technique and tools. […]

Gooseberries really are a fuss-free fruiting shrub. Suitable for container gardens, small gardens, big gardens or allotment patches. They are a brilliant addition to the edible garden. Gooseberries however have a crisis of conscience. Given their tough thorny appearance, many people are either put off from growing them or fail to prune them properly. Trust […]

Most gardeners would be hard pushed not to recognise a Hydrangea. The classic ‘Granny’s garden’ shrub with its textured leaves and massive blue, pink, white or mauve flower heads. Hydrangeas give a real show of huge flowers for months during the summer. Their flowers can then be left in situ to fade from their vibrant […]

Updated 2020: The soil type that you have in your garden can make or break your plans for a successful garden design.  Your plants will only be as successful as the preparation and planning that you, the gardener puts in! Rather than thinking of soil as dirt, you need to start treating it as the life force […]

Every garden should have at least one tree and when I speak to clients with tiny gardens the Apple tree is the one I recommend most frequently. Not only do apple trees provide a rich source of pollen for bees they are beautiful trees for a small garden. The bonus is that with some light […]