Rocks in a garden used to mean an old-fashioned rockery, with a few mossy stones and Alpines used to disguise a ‘difficult’ patch of sloping garden. For most of us they seemed as old-fashioned a garden design as you could get. But don’t dismiss rocks as something better left to your grandparents’ generation; they’re much more twenty-first century than that. Our six point guide explains how to use rocks to make your garden design more interesting:
1. Add colour or create texture using pebbles, gravel or slabs
Since the 1990s, Zen-influenced gardens (featured in point 2 below) have done a great deal to popularise the use of pebbles and stones – introducing the British eye to new concepts of colour, shape, simplicity and subtlety that can work equally well in urban or rural settings. And though they’re hardly cutting-edge these days, slabs, rocks, stones and pebbles can still transform a small, rectangular plot. You can use pebbles to transition from a lawn to a bed (which isn’t as harsh as a straight border), add year round colour using bright coloured gravels, or add a touch of fun (such as the stepping stone path below).
Websites such as homedit.com and decoist.com have excellent ideas for using these materials in your own back garden. Even if you don’t want to follow the ideas slavishly, they can introduce you to some useful design elements:
the use of different colours or sizes of stones to create texture and contrast
the use of raking to create calming patterns in gravel or pebbles
how stone and rocks can create borders or paths
ways to focus or lead the eye to a particular plant or garden zone
2. Created a focal point with a feature stone or boulder
Japanese-style gardens are now fairly run of the mill, and often associated with people who just want an excuse not to weed or cut grass. But as well as introducing low-maintenance garden-design, they popularised the use of single stones (or ‘feature stones’) as a focal point in a garden. For some wonderful images of zen gardens using artfully placed rocks, take a look at: bestchoiceschools.com
3. Think even bigger; add a monolith to your garden
An alternative to the smaller garden boulder is the monolith – usually a much heavier rock that’s often finger-shaped or in a slab. Monoliths mean different things to different people (for example, geologists, archaeologists and garden designers). But for the purposes of gardens, they usually mean single natural stones, which are used as a focal point.
They can be simply decorative, or employed in a wide range of uses, such as water features, wall ends or next to seating (as above). They can also provide somewhere to sit or play, for example being used in play areas as somewhere for children to sit or chat.
Whether you go for a water feature, a ‘play’ stone, or a decorative single rock, the idea is to use the natural colouration, texture, weathering and details of the rock to provide much of the visual appeal.
4. Bitesize geology; understanding different types of rock
There are plenty of monoliths available to buy on-line nowadays but before you do so, you might want to do a quick revision of the school geography lessons where you learned about types of rock.
The most popular types of monolith in British gardens seem to be:
slate: this is a ‘metamorphic’ rock, meaning they’ve been changed from one type of rock to another, as a result of heat and/or pressure. Slate originates from clay, and is resistant to weathering and erosion (which is good if you don’t want the appearance of your monolith to change over time).
sandstone: a ‘sedimentary’ rock, formed from sediments compressed over millions of years. Examples of sedimentary rock are limestone, chalk and clay, all of them subject to weathering. Sandstone monoliths ‘story’ in the sense of showing the effects of weather in their colour and texture. This makes them very attractive in a garden, but less hard-wearing than other types of rock (although you’d have to live a pretty long time to see a sandstone monolith weather away to the size of a pebble)!
5. Landscape a garden to match a specific environment
As well as creating a focal point in a garden, monoliths can be used to replicate or refer to a particular landscape that you like. For example, if you love the mountains of Wales, the Yorkshire Dales or the peaks of the Lake District, you can now find monolith suppliers online that can source stones from quarries in those specific locations. It doesn’t matter where you live these days, it’s always possible to recreate a favourite vista, peak, pond or water fall in your own back garden, with matching geology and plants.
And of course, the fact that monolith means ‘a single stone’ doesn’t mean you are limited to one of them. You could have your very own stone circle, avenue of standing stones, or even create a steps using slabs or boulders from a favoured destination (and if you’re not sure what type of bedrock you saw when you were on holiday, you can check on the British Geological Survey website).
6. Designing and planting a more manageable rockery
And finally if monoliths, boulders and raked pebbles are not for you, and you would prefer to create a good, old-fashioned rockery, then here are a few tips on how to start.
Hopefully these tips on how to use rocks to make your garden design more interesting will be of some use when considering your new garden layout.
There were newspaper reports this month lamenting the tidal wave of grey sweeping Britain’s front gardens. They were based on a report from the Royal Horticultural Society stating that 3 million front gardens had been paved over in the past 10 years, and that 5 million front gardens in Britain have no plants.
We hope that this is just a front garden trend, and that Britain’s back gardens continue to be verdant and leafy. For one of the ill-effects of paving over Britain’s gardens is to damage biodiversity – for without grass, plants, trees and shrubs, there are few habitats for wildlife.
Some of Britain’s best-loved species – from ladybirds to hedgehogs – face losing their homes. But there are plenty of easy ways to create wildlife-friendly places in your garden.
Add flowering and fruiting plants
You may already know that butterflies like buddleia and bees like lavender, but the Royal Horticultural Society has other useful planting tips, such as choosing a mix of native and non-native plants that provide pollen and nectar for as long a season as possible – for example, snow drops, wild garlic, blue bells, crocuses and mahonia in spring right through to Michaelmas daisies and ivy in autumn (ivy provides a sheltered home for insects and spiders too, but be careful to ensure that it doesn’t grow out of control).
Many seed companies also have easy advice on their websites about which plants can attract birds and insects to your garden, and garden centres often have areas dedicated to native flowering species. Consider planting edible shrubs too (cherries, raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries and blueberries) as well as fruit trees that will provide height and shelter, as well as pollen and food. Plum, apple and pear trees all produce lovely blossoms, and you can always keep some of your fruit crop for yourself.
Make a mess and get wild
If mention of the Royal Horticultural Society puts you in fear that their advice will involve you devoting many hours a week to tending your borders, take heart from one of their tips: “Don’t be too tidy: leave some areas undisturbed”.
Apparently, the uncut leaves of perennials can shelter hibernating insects; piles of stones in a corner can be hibernating spaces for reptiles and amphibians; and uncollected leaves and twigs provide food and shelter for many species. Something as simple as a bucket of water with a ramp (made from a pile of rotting logs) can help amphibians, insects and birds, or if you have the space, a pond is a great way to attract wildlife.
You can also add a log pile in a sheltered corner, or leave a strip of lawn uncut during the summer months (and whilst it might be tempting, don’t kill off any weeds that grow as they produce flowers and pollen that are beneficial to insects and butterflies).
The site also includes interesting information on all the insects, mammals, amphibians and birds you are likely to see in your garden, with pictures and information for each species on what it eats, when you will see it and where you will see it.
The RSPB online shop has a variety of bird feeders, nesting boxes, boxes for ladybirds or bats, hedgehog homes, frog and toad shelters, seeds for wildlife-attracting pants, and hedgehog food.
The National Trust is a well-known advocate of supporting biodiversity, and has a variety of schemes in place to promote it. You can read through the National Trust wildlife-garden advice or watch their video on how to attract wildlife into your own garden:
Bats are often forgotten about as they are nocturnal and difficult to see – a lot of the time you can only tell they are around by listening for their high pitched calls. You can give bats a helping hand too by installing a bat box, and the Bat Conservation Trust has some helpful advice on the type and placement of bat boxes.
Gardens for the old and the young
One reason to attract wildlife to your garden is encouraging biodiversity and sustainability, but self-interest also comes into it: wildlife makes a garden more interesting, especially for children or older people who have plenty of time to fill.
So it’s not surprising that various websites aimed at the very young and the very old have some good advice on attracting wildlife. AgeUK has some good wildlife tips, and at the other end of the age range, Wildlife Gardener has sections on garden wildlife activities and wildlife equipment for kids, alongside general advice on anything from dealing with foxes to attracting frogs to your garden pond.
The Gardening with Children blog has good tips for getting children interested in all things garden-related, and there was a nice blog post in May on encouraging hedgehogs in your garden.
If you’re still wondering how to design and make a wildlife-friendly garden check out our top ten list and helpful online resources:
Our check-list for a wildlife-friendly garden
Install a bird box, or a number of different bird boxes suited to different species
Add a bird feeder, or if possible, a range of seeds and nuts in varying locations
Install a bat box that meets the Bat Conservation Trust guidelines
Consider a bird bath, water trough or pond with at least one sloping side (for ease of access)
Plant native flowers and edible shrubs, especially those that flower throughout the year
Leave some of your lawn long during the summer (and don’t kill the weeds that grow there)
Make a couple of holes in the bottom of your fence to let critters in
Create some shelter by planting ivy, creating a log pile or planting native trees.
Start a compost bin to recycle your waste, feed the soil and house worms, woodlice, fungi and spiders
Always check before strimming and lighting bonfires
If you’ve got green fingers the Chelsea Flower Show is one of the must-see events of the gardening calendar, when people from all across the country descend on London to have a look at the best creations by the most talented gardeners. The summit of gardening excellence since 1862, this year was no let down. With the winners now announced; here are our highlights from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2015:
A Perfumer’s Garden in Grasse
This particular creation went away with the gold medal in the show gardens category. The creation sponsored by L’Occitane, a perfume company, aptly showcased how vital Grasse is in the perfume manufacturing industry. The garden was designed by James Basson. The garden was an outstanding advertisement for the perfume industry and the jaw dropping creation deserved every bit of the accolades that it received.
A Trugmaker’s Garden
Sussex is famous for its trugmakers among other things. This gold medal winner in the artisan garden category showcased the striking feature of a garden that is made with trugs. The garden was designed by Serena Freemantle and Tina Vallis, while the company Future Climate Info sponsored the project. This was a creation that will be particularly of interest for those who might not have seen the beautiful Trugs gardens in Sussex.
The Living Legacy Garden
The winner of the silver medal in the show gardens category, the Living Legacy Garden, is of historical interest and conveys the darkness of the Battle of Waterloo with remarkable ease. The creation was one of the most highly appreciated works at the show and due credit must go to the designer duo of Andrew Wilson and Gavin McWilliam who gave shape to the whole idea. The Living Legacy replicated the way in which Lord Wellington used the terrain of Waterloo to his advantage in the famous battle. In fact, the creators even created an abstract of the iconic Wellington College that played a crucial role in the battle.
These three creations mentioned above were the highlights of the Chelsea Flower Show this year, but it is also important to point out that in addition to these there were other gold and silver medal winners who are perhaps equally worthy of mention. The silver medal winner in the Fresh Garden category, Breakthrough Breast Cancer Garden was certainly one of the most innovative works at the show this year. Sponsored by Breakthrough Breast Cancer and designed by Ruth Wilmott, the garden showcased the breakthroughs that have been made in the field of cancer research. The garden is inspired by the double helix shape of the DNA and most certainly it was one of the most creative entries at the show this year.
Last but certainly not least, the bronze medallist in the artisan’s garden category, the Runnymede Surrey Magna Carta 800th Anniversary Garden is a stand out among the artisan’s gardens. The way in which it has been able to evoke the medieval era is perhaps the sole reason why it is a stand out. The medieval artefacts as well as the obelisks on show at the garden designed by A Touch of Class Garden Design captivated the young and old who visited the show this year.
The show, as usual, was a huge success. The Chelsea Flower Show really highlights the highest levels of garden design and planting excellence, and it’s impossible not to be inspired by the originality of the layouts, materials and the breathtaking array of plants and colours.
Most of the garden buildings on our website are designed to be seen. With high-quality timber and elegant proportions and design, it’s a shame to hide them away out of sight. Nevertheless, just as you wouldn’t plan to buy a new sofa without thinking in terms of the overall layout of your sitting room, so it’s better to think about the overall design of your garden when you buy a garden building (and not just about planning permission). Where you position the timber building will make a huge difference to how big your garden looks and how attractive it is. Here are some garden design ideas for garden buildings, whether you want to make them stand out, or hide them away.
Position on the end wall or side wall?
For example, putting a summer house at the end of the garden creates a focal point at the furthest point away (which can make the garden look longer). But having it on a side wall can open up more interesting uses of the space, especially in an average British rectangular suburban or urban garden, and allow you to create different areas or ‘rooms’ in the garden.
Layouts and paths to a building
You should also think about whether you prefer symmetry or asymmetry. Asymmetry will make the garden more interesting, particularly if you also use paths and borders to create ‘shapes’ in the layout. Indeed, paths are a key decision point when you install a garden building. First, if you plan to use it regularly, you will need a path between your house and the building; otherwise you’ll just end up with a mud track across the lawn.
Secondly, as the Royal Horticultural Society say in their garden design advice, paths are not just a way to get from A to B, but the “backbone” of a garden: they add shape, colour and texture, and of course help to break up the space. They can also strengthen a design theme (for example, on the RHS website, the path in a ‘coastal theme’ garden is made from faded wooden sleepers, adding a driftwood feel, with pebbles and cockle shells in between).
Using a garden building to draw the eye
If you do want a summer house or other timber building to be a focal point, then use it to draw the eye to the best parts of, or views in, your garden. If your neighbour on one side has a hideous shed, don’t place your own summer house on that side – it will just make people notice the monstrous shed more. Instead, use the summer house to lead people’s gaze to the other side.
To enhance the ‘focal point’ effect further, there are various techniques to draw people’s attention: from raising the summer house up on decking so it is higher and more visible, to using uplighters at night. Light-coloured paints and stains will make the building more visible; so too will painting door and window frames a different colour.
Three ways to camouflage a garden building
On the other hand, you may want to achieve the opposite effect with a garden building – to obscure it. The first way to camouflage the building is by painting or staining it. Dark colours make any building less obtrusive, and, obviously, using dark greens can help a shed blend in with foliage.
Secondly, the usual solution for hiding a timber building (or eyesores such as propane gas or oil tanks, or compost heaps) is to use a trellis and climbing plants. It’s quicker than waiting for hedges or trees to grow, and uses up less ground area. In addition, the fact that you can still see some light through the gaps in the trellis retains a better sense of space, and creates more interesting shadows and shapes than having the view completely blocked.
A third way to camouflage a garden building is to use a green roof kit. It’s possible to buy roofing mats of sedums and other plants, which can be cut to size, and shouldn’t be too heavy since they are specifically designed for sheds. Do however check that your roof is robust enough to support one. Though a green roof won’t hide a building completely, it can divert attention from the rest of the building.
Diversion can beat concealment
Indeed, many garden designers agree that ‘diverting attention’ from a garden eyesore, such as an old shed, a dustbin store, or compost heap, is more effective than trying to hide it completely. Alan Titchmarsh, writing for Waitrose’s website, says it’s tempting to block the view with a fence or trellis set at right angles across the plot. However, this, he says, will make the garden look smaller. Instead, he advocates an ‘angled … climber-clad trellis, leading the eye into one corner of the garden”. It draws the attention away to the garden’s furthest point.
Plant with consideration around your garden building
Antipodean garden websites are especially ready with advice about hiding garden ugliness. A useful suggestion from www.landscapingnetwork.com is to use different types of plants to draw attention to different parts of the garden. Plants with small leaves and fine textures tend to recede into a backdrop while larger leaves create larger shadows and more interesting shapes. So it advises using plants with fine textures “in front of and slightly off to the side of the unit”, then using “powerhouse plants with bold foliage” to attract the eye elsewhere in the garden. If you need advice with planting, or you are struggling for ideas, consider a trip to a local garden to get some inspiration.
And finally
The great thing about garden design is that there’s no right or wrong answer. And if you don’t like something, there are plenty of ways to change or hide it – from trellises, to container plants, to making a pond. But obviously, it’s easier to change the position of plants or trellises than it is to re-position a timber building, so it’s best to do some planning beforehand. At GardenLife we’re happy to give advice on siting our summer houses – feel free to contact us if you have questions.
In these times of austerity it can be hard to get a foot on the property ladder. However, if you’ve been lucky enough to save up a house deposit, have a mortgage deal agreed, and worked through the often stressful purchase of your first home with solicitors, then you can look forward to putting your own mark on your new house and garden.
If you’re on a tight budget then you may have to do things on the cheap, but even with a small back garden and next to no money to spend, with a bit of effort and patience you can still create a beautiful and affordable garden to enjoy throughout the year. So here are six essential tips to help you create a stunning garden on a tight budget (or even for free):
First of all, if you’re going to be gardening (even low maintenance gardening with very few plants) you’ll still need compost to enrich your soil and help maintain healthy plants. Many councils offer free or subsidised composting bins to encourage home composting. Get online or ring your local council and ask about free or discounted compost bins.
If that option isn’t available there are lots of cheap and even free ways to build your own compost bin. Believe it or not, there are blogs and entire websites that dedicated themselves to the subject, and as a result there are lots of different suggestions on how to build your own compost bin (often without requiring power tools or new materials).
Once you’ve built your compost bin you can add grass clippings, vegetable peelings, leaves – anything that naturally biodegrades (with the exception of meet, as that will smell terrible and encourage flies and vermin). If your compost is looking a little dry just pour some water on to help it along. It will take a while to get going, but after a year you can give your compost bin a stir and you should find you have your very own free supply of high quality compost – you can use this fertile soil in plant pots, to plant out herbs, enrich flower beds, top up hanging baskets or even rake it over your lawn to help give it a free feed.
There are also a couple of other ways to fertilise your beds for free. One is to carefully grab a handful of nettles, put them in a breathable bag or sack, and immerse them in a watering can. Leave them for a few days and you will then have nitrogen-rich water to pour over your pots and plants (it smells a bit, but it’s free plant fertiliser)!
If you have an area of the garden that has poor quality soil, or a section of vegetable patch that will be left vacant over the winter, try to get your hands on some vetch seeds. A member of the legume family, vetch actually puts nitrogen back into the soil, making it more fertile for other plants (and once it’s done its job, you can just dig it into the ground as extra mulch).
2. Salvage and reuse – recycling is free
Whilst the bugs in your compost bin are silently doing their thing, you can consider how to reuse some everyday items to liven up your new budget garden. If you have a spare pallet available you can turn it into a vertical planter to rest against a wall, use the wood to make a small raised pond, or reuse the timbers to build a raised bed or vegetable patch.
You can also use old kitchen bowls, bottles, wellies, jam jars or colanders as hanging baskets or plant pots – when planted out they really add rustic charm to a garden (and don’t worry if they look too ‘new’ when you first add them to the garden, they’ll soon weather and blend in).
And what about an old kitchen sink? If it’s a container and you can put drainage holes in, then you can plant in it!
3. Nature’s bounty is free – collecting free seeds
When it comes to planting out an affordable garden on a tight budget a quick trip to the local nursery or garden centre can send a shiver up the spine. Even small plants can cost a fortune and a few packets of seeds or bulbs won’t leave much change from a ten pound note. There are however plants growing all around us, and nature doesn’t cost anything.
According to a recent study “more than 700 species of wild plants – almost half of the native flora of the British Isles – are found on road verges”. If you can get out for a walk in the countryside in late summer (or even stop in a lay-by with a verge) you could carefully pick a few seed heads from some of the more common native flowering plants, such as poppy, plantain, red campion, oxeye daisy, teasel and burdock for your own garden meadow or flower bed (but please check the varieties first, be careful not to trample on flowers or take seeds from endangered species). Whilst you’re out and about you can also collect acorns, conkers and other native tree seeds – it’s slow growing from seed, but it’s also heartening knowing that you’re responsible for planting what some day may be a great oak or horse chestnut tree.
If neighbours have gardens you can check to see if they have any plants in seed, or if they have any plants to spare (many plants are happy to be split in two – more about this little trick below). If the neighbours can’t help, check to see if there are any allotments in the local area and get in touch with them, they may well be able to provide some free or discount seeds to help you get growing.
If you want to plant fruit and veg in your garden you can always start by taking the seeds from the items you regularly buy in your super market shop (such as cucumber, tomato, pepper, hazel nuts, berries and cherries, however don’t plant apple seeds as they don’t breed true).
4. Can’t see the wood for the trees – finding trees and plants for free
Trees for free? If you are able to get into the countryside in spring look for fresh green grown on elderflowers – if you snip off a few cuttings and pop them into some compost you’ll have your own free elderflower saplings the following year (a native to the UK, the tree attracts bees and butterflies, and you can make your own elderflower cordial or wine).
Likewise, in winter you can snip off the youngest branches from willow trees and simply stick them into your garden where you would like your free willow tree to grow – it’s really that simple (although don’t place them too close to the house as they need room to grow and have quite aggressive roots, also, upright varieties such as goat, crack and golden willow work best).
In built up areas you often see plants and even saplings growing out of gutters and cracks in the pavement. A common site in towns and cities is also buddleia (or butterfly bush). In late summer the plant can get quite bushy and will be covered in large highly-scented lowers which are like magnets to butterflies and other nectar seeking insects.
5. Two for the price of one – multiplying plants for free
Another really important budget gardening tip (touched upon above) is to be on the lookout for plants that you can divide. If you can get hold of some of these plants for free that’s great, but if you do find that you have to buy plants the following represent brilliant value for money (and they are more affordable too):
Hosta – an easy to grow flowering plant with large green leaves that likes light to medium shade. It’s great for covering bear patches of soil and you can literally slice the plant in two in the autumn and double the amount you have year on year!
Iris – another easy to grow flowering plant that is evergreen and has upright tapering leaves. As it gets bigger it can be dug up and the stems and bulbs can be separated and planted out – another way to increase how many plants you have for free.
Bergenia – an evergreen plant with large waxy green leaves and pink flowers on rhubarb-like stalks. It’s perfect for ground cover and as with the iris, you can dig it up in autumn and break it into more plants, which is great if you’re working with a shoestring budget.
Bamboo – a beautiful evergreen that’s great for hedging, borders or as a backdrop. There are two types of bamboo: 1. Spreading – these plants send out runners that grow into new plants which can be dug up and planted elsewhere in the garden. 2. Clump-forming – the new clumps of bamboo that grow close to the base of the original plant can be dug up and moved. If you opt for the spreading variety in a bed it’s best to plant the bamboo in a large pot, then place the pot in the bed (just to stop it from spreading too much).
Foxgloves – a tall flowering plant with pink and white bell-shaped flowers that’s easy to grow. Foxgloves can’t be split but they produce copious amounts of seeds that will allow you to spread the plants throughout your garden (definitely a friend of budget garden design).
Ferns – as with foxgloves these can’t be split, but fern spores get everywhere, which means that even without trying you will likely find fern plants freely populating your garden every year.
If you need some advice on planting, or some ideas to help with inspiration don’t forget to check out some of the professional gardens in your area (you can’t get enough tips from the pros)!
6. Always be on the look out – one persons trash is another’s treasure
Lastly, when you’re out and about keep an eye out for materials you can use or reuse for free. Designing a garden isn’t just about plants – ornaments, drift wood, rocks, boulders, old furniture, rope and many other items that are chucked out or overlooked can be used to add colour, texture, shape or a focal point to your budget garden design.
Farmers don’t want large rocks or boulders damaging their plough, so you can often find lovely boulders along field boundaries (the type of thing a garden centre would charge over a £100 for). Likewise a trip to the beach can result in a collection of different coloured rope and pebbles for a birdbath or small pond (and don’t forget, seaweed is a brilliant fertiliser, so grab some whilst you’re there to top up your compost bin).
So with a bit of creativity, patience, a few recycled materials, free seeds and trees, plus plants that multiply year on year – you should be well on your way to planting out your beautiful new garden even on the tightest of budgets. And if you manage to save a few pennies as a result of your budget garden planning, you can always put them towards a discount garden building!
If you’re considering revamping a section of your back garden, wondering about how to integrate a new garden building such as a summer house, or you have a blank canvas and a new plot to play with, you can’t go wrong taking inspiration from some of the UKs amazing gardens. Whether they are exquisitely manicured Victorian estates, compact walled gardens full of fruit trees and vegetables, or more modern gardens with minimalist design and unique water features, the wealth and depth of gardens in this country is both spectacular and awe-inspiring.
When it comes to planning garden planting, or even considering a completely new garden design, it’s best to get planting ideas from gardens that are near to you – that way you know that the plants that you see in the professional gardens should grow in your garden.
So here are some top gardens to consider visiting by country to help with your garden design ideas:
Scotland
You can check out ScotlandsGardens.org to find local gardens to visit, and here are some of our favourites:
Langwell Gardens, Caithness
Surrounded by deer-filled woods, this is a superb old walled garden with beautiful borders full of flowers, a really good guide to what will grow in the local climate
Floors Castle, Kelso
A small formal walled garden with children’s play area, shop, cafe and peaceful walks through stunning countryside; find inspiration and take in the site
Tillypronie, Tarland
A lovely mix of formal terraces and borders (typical of the Victorian period) and spectacular views over the local hills
Treborth Botanic Garden, Bangor
Renowned for its glass houses that contain amazing plants, this is a great garden for inspiration with an array of plants local to the area.
Cowbridge Physic Garden, Vale of Glamorgan
A relatively small but beautifully kept walled garden known for its healing plants, looked after by locals who are happy to answer questions.
Bodnant Garden, Conwy
With Snowdonia as its backdrop, this truly stunning garden features towering trees, striking terraces, flowers, arches and more.
England
With a diverse topography and climate there are a lot of gardens in England, and here are some of our picks:
Great Dixter, Rye
Victorian formality, a walled garden, meadows, moats, orchards and ponds, this garden has something very every gardening enthusiast.
Stone House Cottage, Kidderminister
In comparison to Victorian estates this is a lovely compact garden with a splendor of different planting types, borders and trees.
Buscot Park, Faringdon An extensive estate with a huge choice of gardens to choose from, including one of the finest water gardens in the UK, a brilliant location for amassing great garden design ideas.
Kew Gardens, London And of course, when it comes to design inspiration for gardeners you simply have to visit Kew Gardens in West London. Kew Gardens is a place that has been one of the largest London attractions for two and a half centuries and provides the perfect opportunity for anyone looking for peace and quiet in the bustling metropolis at any point in time. However, more than a place of interest for tourists and day trippers, Kew Gardens is also a place of large interest for serious gardeners who wish to learn a thing or two about gardening from professionals, using their newfound skills in their own gardens at home.
Kew Gardens and its curators have been the leading experts in the field of gardening for centuries and it is not a surprise that the garden is regarded among the most important botanical gardens in the world due to the high excellence in gardening that is on display. Designing a garden requires a certain degree of expertise that can either be honed over a long period of time or else one can learn from the very best in the business. Buying a day ticket to Kew Gardens is quite possibly the best option for anyone who is interested in getting to know the secrets of garden design. One of the best options for anyone looking for an intimate understanding of the science or rather the art of professional gardening is a guided tour of Kew Gardens in which the visitors are taken on a tour of all the different gardens by guides who are highly knowledgeable about their craft and would be able to answer any questions that the visitors have.
The guided tours are a walking tour since it is possible for visitors and the guides to take their own time in going from one garden to another while spending the right amount of time at each in order to learn about the intricacies of gardening. On the other hand, a visitor can also choose to go on the bus, known as the Discovery Bus, or even board a tour on the Kew Explorer train. The latter options are particularly helpful for those who have special interests in specific gardens since it is the sort of tour which would allocate a particular amount of time to each garden. There are very few botanical gardens in the world which provide such wonderful guided tours throughout its gardens to its visitors so that they can learn a thing or two about gardening whilst enjoying the facilities at the garden like different eateries, spice bakeries, bars as well as live music events on some days. As one can imagine, it can be a rewarding experience in more ways than one; tourists and serious gardeners have been visiting Kew Gardens in large numbers for many years for this exact reason.
Last but not the least, it is important to point out that the authorities at Kew Gardens also arrange for special events that take the joy of learning about gardening to an entirely new level. For instance in 2015 there was a ‘Meet Kew’s Experts’ event which is hosted three times in a week and it is an event at which people can learn from the experts about the certain tricks and experiments in gardening that they would normally not find in books about gardening – a unique experience that’s perfect for getting some innovative garden design ideas.
Ultimately, if you’re struggling with design inspiration for your own garden, you’re sure get your creative juices flowing with a visit to a nearby garden.
This website uses cookies and gathers limited anonymous data to improve your experience. Please read our Privacy Policy and opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsAccept
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
