Garden Design Styles

One question I get asked frequently on this site is, ‘Why is garden design expensive?’ and my answer is that garden design isn’t expensive; it’s good value for money given the vast multidisciplinary skills that go into making a successful garden design. Garden designers should not be cheap. Combining plant knowledge, design skills, project management, […]

A water rill is a narrow, shallow channel that directs water through a garden, creating a dynamic visual and sensory feature. Originating from ancient irrigation systems, modern water rills have evolved into elegant landscape elements known as water features, blending function with aesthetic appeal. They can add both drama and movement to any garden. The […]

Chinese garden design offers far more than the stereotypical bamboo in pots and dragon statues that many assume define this ancient art form. Authentic Chinese gardens represent one of the world’s most sophisticated landscape traditions, rooted in centuries of philosophical principles that balance nature, architecture, and spiritual harmony. Whether you’re planning a complete garden transformation […]

Learning how to design a garden can initially feel like a complicated or time-consuming skill. When designing a garden, there are an overwhelming number of moving parts to consider: plants, layout options, hard landscaping, soil type, and sunlight levels, to name a few! Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice enthusiast, this how-to-design-a-garden guide […]

Designing a small garden can feel challenging, especially if you have never been a gardener or studied design principles before. You can be put off by a lack of plant knowledge, confusion over where to start, what features you need or the cost of implementing your own design. Take reassurance that I’m going to guide […]

Understanding colour schemes from the colour wheel can greatly enhance your ability to create visually appealing designs and artwork. Colour can evoke both positive and negative feelings and emotions in the garden. If you’ve ever looked at a garden and found the colours jarring or awkward, the chances are the colour wheel has been ignored. […]

Designing a garden for a rented property can be frustrating and confusing, especially since you don’t own the property or flat. For many renters and rental properties, the garden is ignored. Maybe a few lacklustre container plants, pots, and many temporary bits and bobs. However, designing for a rental property can be far more enriching […]

It can be easy to become confused between a formal and informal garden style. Certainly, because some fusion gardens mix the two muddying the design waters. This garden design guide to formal gardens will show you how to spot one, design a formal garden and why you may choose one for your own garden space. […]

When it comes to designing a garden, more often than not, our excitement to fill our gardens with beautiful flowers, trees, decorations, and furniture can sometimes get the better of us. In our haste to create the perfect garden, many gardeners make some fundamental mistakes. These garden fails can often undo all the hard work […]

The Northern Star feature garden aims to showcase 5 very different and diverse community gardens in one stunning garden design. The RHS and BBC asked me earlier this year to be the designer of this challenging brief. To help showcase the best of northern gardens in one show garden to help encourage new gardeners. No […]