Containers offer the most flexibility though, allowing you to move them around however suits. Remember, narrow, low-planted beds can define seating or dining areas, as can lines of planted-up troughs – choose evergreen scented plants, such as lavender or Mexican orange blossom. A metre or more in depth is a perfect size for a border, giving you enough space to put smaller plants at the front with taller ones behind. Try to stick to just five or six different types and arrange them in repeated patterns for a coordinated and harmonious effect. Once you have this frame, fill the gaps with pretty flowering plants. Include small shrubs such as box balls, or large evergreens, for example mahonia, for bigger areas. So use evergreen shrubs at the end of each border and as punctuation along the way.
The best garden designs start with structural plants infilled with pretty, flowering plants. Do all of these and your lawn will be verdant before you know it. For aeration, take a fork to your lawn and poke heaps of holes. Water once a week early in the morning if the UK's frequent rain isn't cutting it. Cut branches back to keep excessive shade away. Think about access and what you want to use your garden for – planting and growing veg, sunbathing, eating alfresco or simply sitting down to enjoy a cup of tea on a sunny morning?įor ongoing lawn care and maintenance, Stuart Thomas, gardening expert at online garden centre Primrose, advises: 'If your lawn is looking lacklustre, consider the three tenets of sunshine, showers and soil aeration. Whether it's a small garden, long and narrow garden, cottage garden or courtyard garden, you should observe where and at what times of day different parts of the garden gets light and sun. Not only will this affect planting, it can dictate how you use your space.' Whether you're looking for garden landscaping ideas to overhaul your outdoor space, or more tailored garden design inspiration such as garden furniture, paving, lights, plants, borders, decking and more, we've compiled some fabulous garden ideas to help you transform your back garden, whether it's big or small – and it'll help to boost your property value, too.īut before you proceed with any redesigns or updates, take a look at your garden as a whole, says Andrew Kyte at The Chelsea Gardener: 'Find out as much as you can about the garden's position, direction and outlook. These garden design ideas are key to creating a scheme you'll love for years to come.