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Ideas for beautiful gardens


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(Image credit: RHS/Sarah Cuttle)

This round-up of garden ideas will help inspire you to create a wonderful retreat in your backyard. Garden ideas can cover everything from quick improvements, such as new containers packed with blooms to larger-scale projects, such as redesigning an area of your garden for vegetables. 

In good weather, our gardens are our go-to spaces. They have the power to create the peace, purpose and pleasure we all need in our lives. Plus, they can provide us with cut flowers, vegetables and herbs. 

So, if you're looking for garden inspiration and design ideas for your outdoor spaces, look no further than our pick of the best garden ideas for any size or shape of space.

Garden ideas

We have covered garden ideas of every manner in this guide, from coastal to English to vegetable garden ideas. Take inspiration to create a space that's personal, and special, to you, whether a relaxed and informal family space, or a more formal garden design.

1. Grow a garden you can bring indoors

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you love flowers, why not plan a cut flower garden? All this really involves is planning your planting around the blooms you love. It might be that you indulge in typical English garden ideas, such as rose garden ideas, for example, or perhaps Mediterranean garden ideas are more suited to your local climate?

'Plant roses among grasses and perennials, with the plan to let them intermingle,' says award-winning garden designer Colm Joseph . 'When choosing roses, go for those with simpler, open flowers that are closer to the wild or hedgerow roses, rather than anything too ornamental or blousy. Although wild roses only usually flower once in early summer, they produce beautiful hips for fall and winter interest.'

And if you're looking to keep your roses – and all other plants – healthy, then you may need to learn how to add calcium to soil. This act will ensure the soil is at the best pH for growth as they encourage strong cell walls that ensure the plant grows upright.

2. Grow a kitchen or herb garden

(Image credit: Future/Leigh Clapp)

You needn't have a large space to grow fruit, vegetables or herb. You can be creative with kitchen garden ideas and grow it all in one huge pot, or in a series of container gardening ideas. 

'If you are a beginner to gardening or have little time for maintaining a garden, herb garden ideas are simple and satisfying,' says Homes & Gardens' garden editor Rachel Crow. 'You can grow enough in a container like the one above, in a window planter or even indoors.'

3. Pack a punch in a narrow space

(Image credit: Future / Annaick Guitteny)

If you are looking for plenty of planting but have a thin plot, look to clever narrow garden ideas. One of the best is to put in neat raised beds and layer planting, from tall to mid-height to low to make your flower beds pack a punch.

'Planting trees to espalier is a good way to create screening and plenty of greenery without allowing trees' branches to protrude into a narrow garden,' says Rachel Crow. 

4. Create a garden that loves dry conditions

(Image credit: Jo Thompson Garden Design/ Photograph Rachel Warne)

If you are looking for coastal garden ideas, it pays to plan a dry garden that can withstand a lack of rain, and look to south-facing garden ideas for ways to mitigate against the potential lack of shelter and more extreme weather.

'Putting in coastal plants will save you the heartache of losing plants you love but which just aren't suited to the conditions,' says Lucy Searle, Editor in Chief of Homes & Gardens. 'If the climate in your zone is wetter, you can look to include tropical garden ideas, but the key to success is always to pick plants that suit your locale.'

Whether you are going for a tropical or coastal garden design, consider breaking up the landscaping with rock garden ideas and gravel garden ideas.

5. Consider plants for a north-facing plot

(Image credit: Tom Massey)

If your garden gets little natural light, you'll need to look specifically for north-facing garden ideas. For your borders, this includes the best shade plants, including the best shrubs for shade that can keep your garden green throughout summer and winter.

But it will also include tricks to keep the garden light and bright, from choosing white-flowering plants to laying pale-colored, light-reflecting stone or wood for your patio. There are many different white garden ideas you could try.

6. Plant a sensory space

(Image credit: RHS/Sarah Cuttle)

Sensory garden ideas can be incorporated into any garden's design, whatever its style or size.

'Sensory gardens are all about the emotional and physical effects they have on you,' explains Homes & Gardens' Digital Editor Jennifer Ebert. 'This includes everything from sensory garden plants, which are a real treat for the senses, through to the textures you can enjoy visually and through touch of the materials you choose for your hard landscaping. Even the sound of trickling water can be a sensory treat, and of course, blocks out the sound of everything from traffic to neighbors.'

7. Plan vertical planting into a small space

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton)

Vertical garden ideas include everything from living walls through to planting on terraces in sloping gardens.

'Don't be afraid to use tall or upright plants to emphasize the verticality of your plot,' says gardening writer Natasha Goodfellow . 'Sloping gardens can be difficult to work with but they are also often far more interesting and appear larger than a flatter site.'

8. Plant sustainably

(Image credit: Beth Chatto's Garden and Nursery)

Sustainable garden ideas really ought to be higher up on our list. So where to start? Gardening sustainably is all about planting what will thrive in your local climate so that you have to have as little input as possible in maintaining them with precious resources, such as water, for example.

'If possible, start with the structure: trees, then hedges, shrubs and climbers,' says Marian Boswall, author of Sustainable Garden . 'After that, consider herbaceous perennials and, finally, annuals.'

9. Create a view

(Image credit: Claire Merriman Design)

Designing a vista that you can enjoy just a step from your property is top of the garden ideas wish list. Think about how entertaining spaces can flow out from the house with seating areas and smart patio ideas.

In this total overhaul of an overgrown five acre site, central to the design is the large terrace area that sweeps around the house allowing views straight out from the kitchen and living room across colourful borders to the lake and wildflower meadow beyond. 

‘To maintain those views, patio planting across the terrace is predominantly low with swathes of colour from Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’, Rosmarinus ‘Tuscan Blue’ and Veronica umbrosa ‘Georgia Blue’,' says Claire Merriman of Claire Merriman Design .  

'Repeated spheres of Elaeagnus ebbingei, Hebe topiaria and Pittosporum tobira Nanum pull the areas of the terrace together while stunning multi-stem Koelreuteria paniculata trees allow views out into the wider landscape.’

Pots on the terrace allow seasonal planting to be added throughout the year.

(Image credit: Butter Wakefield)

Water is a wonderful element to incorporate into outdoor spaces. Not only will it attract wildlife but the sight and sound can be incredibly soothing especially in town scenarios.

‘The magnificent scale of an antique limestone trough adds immediate importance to this city garden,’ says garden designer Butter Wakefield . ‘It effortlessly creates a sense of drama whilst providing a focal point to the immense side elevation of the house.’

For unique water feature ideas, frame a trough like this with a combination of white and pale pink climbing roses and the evergreen jasmine.

11. Divide a large lawn with hedges

(Image credit: Charlotte Rowe)

‘Over-large lawns can feel purpose-less,’ says designer Charlotte Rowe . Dividing the space into garden rooms will ensure that green spaces have different purposes, such as a terrace area for eating or a patch for growing vegetables.

In this project, a rethink of a garden resulted in two lawns separated by layers of box and hornbeam as well as pleached hornbeam trees, which is among the ideas for landscaping with evergreens.

‘The pleached central hedge cleverly divides the garden, but also allows views down into the shadier part of the garden where the owners have raised garden beds with vegetables and salads as well as a garden shed,’ adds Charlotte Rowe.

Subtle lighting makes this garden atmospheric at night – key trees and pleached hornbeams are uplit while Cor-Ten steel posts, with a rusty finish, create low level lighting along the gravel paths.

This is one of many backyard landscaping ideas for bigger gardens.

12. Create presence and proportion

(Image credit: Joanne Alderson)

In big open spaces, this is one of those garden ideas where it is possible to create interest and intrigue with large-scale topiary and symmetry. The classical Georgian style house in this project, designed by Jo Alderson Phillips and Rob Jones, needed a garden of equal presence and proportion and was built on the site of a neglected tennis court. 

‘The anchors here are a succession of yew topiary domes leading through each colour coordinated garden with the owner’s sculptures creating beautiful sight lines,’ say the designers. ‘We bought the topiary, which each weighed two tonnes, at Solitair in Belgium, a nursery that specialises in these fantastic mature specimens.’

Hedges and intriguing doorways around the garden are planted with Ilex crenata ‘Dark Green’ (Japanese box) and more structural evergreens are provided by umbrella pruned Pinus sylvestris with Osmanthus fragrans providing scent later in the year.

13. Define a path

(Image credit: Charlotte Rowe)

Whatever the shape or size of your garden, it will almost certainly have a path that travels from the back door to the end of your garden. Think about the function as well as aesthetic when looking at garden path ideas and deciding on the line or curve of your path.

In this garden by Charlotte Rowe, in the far end of the garden a swathe of Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’ fragrances the air alongside the path, providing summer nectar for the bees. Understated chunky wooden benches are placed on the other side and under the shade of the garden’s mature trees to create a place to sit and admire the garden.

14. Install a fireplace

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Whatever the season or climate, a permanent outdoor fireplace is a design focal point as well as a source of heat in the cooler times of the day.

Bear in mind that these kinds of fireplaces need to have specialist installation and look for high quality, compact outdoor fires that can withstand year-round weather conditions and use.

15. Be bold with color

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Color is the new eye catcher for garden ideas. It's often the norm in classic gardens to paint outdoor details in harmonious colors to blend in with surroundings, but outdoor worthy paint formulas are meaning that we can paint architectural features, such as pillars, garden walls and screens in all manner of uplifting hues.

‘We love the idea of adding unique combinations to create a Mediterranean feel amongst dark green foliage,' says Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director of Little Greene .  

Pair a piercing blue paint like 'Marine Blue' on architectural details and pillars with a hit of bright sunshine yellow using plant pots painted in 'Mister David'.

16. Create a night garden

(Image credit: Vincent Sheppard)

Good outdoor lighting ideas are key to creating a perfect ambience outdoors and adds a certain je ne sais quoi to social events. Chosen carefully, it submerges everything in a warm glow while adding a magical touch to your evening. 

‘Garland lights are a classic way to create a celebratory atmosphere as night falls – a little roof of light which literally brings people closer together,’ says Coralie Claeys, Managing Director of Vincent Sheppard .  

These ‘Light My Table’ string lights can be clipped onto the sides of a table and don’t need to be fixed to anything nearby.

17. Be playful with sculpture

(Image credit: David Harber)

When embellishing the garden with additional decoration like a sculpture, consider its surrounding environment and the impact your garden decor ideas may have on your chosen design and overall space. 

‘Decorative items can both harmonize with their immediate surroundings in tone, texture and form or, indeed, create a striking contrast,’ says sculptor David Harber . 

‘For example, a bright, bold reflective metal piece will both mirror its immediate environment and effectively borrow character and charm from the planting and landscaping surrounding it.’

18. Take tiles from inside to outside

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Incorporating decorative tiles into an outdoor scheme can create a transition from the house to the garden. This can be particularly effective if the same tiles are used inside and out creating a fluid line from interior to exterior.  

'Decorative tiles also work particularly well in small gardens,' says Lee Thornley, founder of Bert and May , 'and can help to define zones.'

Lay them on the floor and up walls to create an inviting feature or outdoor room – this works particularly well if you are looking for outdoor kitchen ideas which demands a natural transition between indoors and out.

19. Use screens to define areas

(Image credit: Screen with Envy)

Garden screens are one of those garden ideas that are an excellent way to create little sanctuaries. Great for providing both garden screening from neighbors and some faraway escapism with pretty Moroccan inspired fretwork. 

‘Be creative with the screens you use, using them to section off areas of your outside space to create specific relaxation zones,’ says Sophie Birkert, founder of Screen with Envy . ‘This year has seen the home become multifunctional and this can be extended into the garden, with different sectioned off areas designated for different activities. ’

How about a kids-only area and a cozy snug just for the adults?

20. Choose furniture to last

(Image credit: Little Greene)

When buying garden furniture, it’s important to think about maximising its use. Look at arrangements that focus on comfort which will set the scene for a lazy brunch, or smart armchairs which add a little glamour for cocktail hour. 

‘Sun-soaked spaces are ideal for al fresco entertaining, so choose lightweight furniture that you are able to move your seating to follow the best light,’ says Barlow Tyrie .

A pedestal table with taller legs will create elegant long shadows as time passes, and a high vantage point dramatically enhances your view of the garden and beyond.

21. Plant a long border

(Image credit: Greencube)

The secret to a successful long border is planting throughout the seasons. In the sunny flower bed idea above, a purple, white and pink fusion was planted by Mandy Buckland of Greencube .

‘The backbone structure includes Taxus domes and Hydrangea 'Madame Emille Mouillere’ but in June it is time for the herbaceous perennials to inject some colour,' says Mandy. 

‘I planted Nepeta 'Walkers Low’ along with Salvia ‘Caradonna’ with added Foxglove seeds to provide vertical height as well as Allium 'Mount Evereste'. Geranium ‘Rozanne’ covers the ground and keeps the weeds out, filling the gaps a workhorse of the mix, this matrix planting changes throughout the seasons. Next are the Pennisetum ornamental grasses along with the Hydrangeas to take the border into Autumn.’

Remember to add height and contrast in the background. Mandy Buckland included standard Ilex 'Nellie R Stevens’ trees to add interest to the background Beech hedge.

22. Add a firepit area

(Image credit: Magma Firepits)

A moveable heat source in the garden means we can stay out longer and later whatever the season. Choose from backyard fire pit ideas, chimneas, and bowls.

‘I have a firepit in my garden that also doubles up as a barbecue,’ says designer Sarah Vanrenen , ‘and we enjoy many nights outside by the fire cooking and keeping warm at the same time.’

Create a zone in your outdoor space that feels like an outdoor living room or cozy nook. 

‘Sometimes a patio can be daunting because there are no defining walls or parameters so I often treat gardens as I do houses, and make “rooms”, by compartmentalising with planting to make different and interesting areas to go to and to sit in,' adds Sarah. 

23. Make your garden bee-friendly

(Image credit: Future/Val Corbett)

Every garden regardless of size can be both bee friendly and beautiful. Bees, like us, favour flowers with bountiful open blooms, and long flowering seasons. 

‘Bees are after pollen and nectar and generous examples include geraniums, lavender, open dahlias and globe thistle,’ says Sean McMenemy, Director of Ark Wildlife . ‘Plus herbs such as marjoram, sage and chives and flowering shrubs like buddleia, cotoneaster and apple blossom. ’

Why not make a bee ‘nectar filling station? It’s simply a pot or pots filled with flowers that attract bees and a shallow dish of water (bees need to drink). Make sure you keep flowers blooming in the pot from March to September by changing them as they fade.

24. Position a pergola

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton)

A pergola is a simple way to create an enclosed space with a smattering of fragrance if the right plants are incorporated. Be sure of your reasons for embarking on this kind of project before you get going as size, position and planning permission all need to be considered when you're looking at pergola ideas.

‘Only have a pergola or an arbor if you think you absolutely need one,’ says designer Charlotte Rowe . ‘I say this, as often people think that they will give you shelter from the rain when in fact they really don’t and are more useful as a garden shade idea providing shade from the sun. So my first tip would be to think carefully about whether a pergola or arbor will add value to your garden and be sure that it will not give you too much shade!’

Then consider position. You can create a sense of romance with your chosen placement. 

Garden designer Rebecca Smith recommends a pergola that arches over a path through the garden to create a shaded and scented tunnel: ‘In a long garden, a pergola placed at the end of the garden can create a “destination” for different times of day and can also help screen a garage or garden shed for view,’ she says.

25. Dress your space

(Image credit: Neptune)

When designing an outdoor space it’s important to consider a number of things, primarily comfortable seating, lighting and texture. 

‘Our Hayburn sofas are the perfect way to combine comfort and relaxation with contemporary aesthetic and efficient design,’ says George Miller, Home Designer at Neptune , of the brand's patio furniture ideas.

‘With deep-seated cushions and an all-weather wicker-weave base, the seating has been designed to be outside rain or shine. Add a simple sheepskin or throw to ward off the cool evening chill and scatter cushions for a drop of color. Dressing your space with layers will create character, personality and an inviting atmosphere.'

As for lighting, weather-proof cordless lamps and festoon lights are both perfect for sliding into the darker nights. 

26. Consider pavers

(Image credit: Little Greene)

In their various finishes – ranging from wood or stone effects to tactile surfaces that resemble concrete – tiles combine superlative appearance with outstanding longevity. 

Be sure that whatever you choose for your patio the materials are resistant to loads, slipping, frost, thermal shock, mould, stains and the action of chemicals including salt, often used to prevent ice on outdoor surfaces. 

Gardens, patios or paths across lawns can be laid dry on sand and gravel for a contemporary take and facilitates drainage. 

(Image credit: Farlam and Chandler)

‘Most designers are “civil engineers” with a love of plants, meaning that the entire project comes under their jurisdiction,’ says Louisa Bell MSGD.

But it’s not just about the technical side. ‘A good designer has the imagination to create a bespoke design for you,' says Juliet Sargeant FSGD, 'plus the ingenuity to solve the site problems and the practical experience to implement the plans cost-effectively.’ 

Being clear about your needs from the offset will help with the design process and a good designer will make sure to draw out every detail about exactly what your wants and needs are – knowing how to commission a garden designer will help get the best from them. 

‘The best projects are formed by a great working relationship and the process is fun. The right designer will be able to help in the right way,’ add Ben Chandler of Farlam & Chandler . 

28. Plant a cottage garden

(Image credit: Rosemary Coldstream)

Traditional cottage garden ideas encapsulate a hand-made, do-it-yourself style of gardening. When it comes to planting include a mix of simple flowers and edible plants. 

‘Always think right plant, right place’,' says garden designer Rosemary Coldstream .  

Roses are the first choice but they must be scented. Then add height with Hollyhocks, Delphiniums and Foxgloves. For other flower shapes try the flat panicles of Achillea, ball shaped inflorescences of Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro) or cheerful daisy flowers of Leucanthemum or Rudbeckia.

‘Scented, herbal and healing varieties will by definition be beneficial to butterflies and bees, and when combined with some good structure you will have a chocolate box image of an English garden,’ adds Debbie Roberts of Acres Wild .

29. Define a space with a rug

(Image credit: nanimarquina)

For courtyard gardens, roof gardens, terraces, yards or other outdoor areas, a rug is a useful way to define a zone and create a purposeful area. Go for an outdoor rug that has the design and feel of its indoor cousins but is water and weatherproof. 

‘I like to design rugs that are visually amazing, that people will enjoy,’ says Nani Marquina of nanimarquina .

Choose materials that are weather resistant such as recycled PET fiber that gives a second lease of life to plastic bottles, guaranteeing the traceability and certification of the materials and the manufacturing processes.

30. Make the most of small gardens

(Image credit: Sadolin)

Small garden ideas really need to punch above their weight. One way to do so is to use all the tricks in the book to make a small garden look bigger, but realistically, you are still going to want to squeeze in outdoor living room ideas, planting and outdoor dining ideas. The best solution? To combine them into one neat floorplan, like in this compact space above.

How can I make my garden look more beautiful?

‘Designing’ our gardens as opposed to just ‘gardening’ our outdoor spaces is the starting point for the nirvana of a ‘beautiful’ garden. Just like a good-looking room, the trick to how to plan a garden perfectly is to consider how the space is used, how you want it to make you feel, the colour palette, the personality and the functionality. 

Designer Ben Chandler of Farlam & Chandler takes a look at the owner’s tastes when it comes to defining the right style for a project - and you can take the same approach.  

‘We ask our clients what they enjoy about gardens, whether they have favourite gardens or houses they have visited and if they have favourite plants,’ he says. 

Here’s what to consider:

How can I make my garden easier to look after?

Let’s face it gardening can be time consuming and sometimes we just don’t have the patience or inclination to tend to our green spaces. Here are a few simple garden ideas to make life a little easier...

What are good themes for a garden?

There are a myriad of garden styles the world over that can adopt or use as inspiration for our own gardens. The following garden ideas will help you:

Wild meadow ‘Habitats for our native wildlife are shrinking – but it doesn’t have to be this way. Planting a wildflower meadow as well as giving nature space to recover by leaving areas of gardens to go wild all makes a difference.’ 

So says Mark Wright, Director of Science at the WWF . The first step is shifting your mindset around gardening. Don’t be afraid to let your outdoor spaces grow a little wild as wildflower habitats have traditionally provided a home for bees and beetles to birds and small animals to thrive in! Choose at least some plants that are native – whether trees or shrubs, hedges or wildflowers – and others that are attractive to insects. For example, buddleia is great for butterflies, whilst lavender, Verbena bonariensis and Echinops all provide pollen and nectar for bees.

Woodland If you live in a rural area, you may already have the making of a garden dominated by native trees and vertical climbers. Look to the base of those trees for signs of the ‘woodlanders’ as gardener Carol Klein calls them. Snowdrops, bluebells, aconites, epimediums and hellebores are typical small plants that love the shade and damp conditions. You can build upon this habitat by planting by the seasons: spring bulbs such as cyclamen and narcissus, taller summer bulbs such lilies, mixed with unfurling and fronded ferns and interesting colored barks.

With over 30 years of working in journalism on women's home and lifestyle media brands, Rhoda is an Editorial Director, Homes Content, at Future. Over time, Rhoda has worked on the entire homes and gardens portfolio including Homes & Gardens, Country Homes & Interiors, Livingetc, Ideal Home, Style at Home, Woman & Home, 25 Beautiful Homes, Amateur Gardening and Easy Gardens. She was also editor of Country Homes & Interiors for 14 years, leading it across print and creating the blog Country Days. She has also worked at Woman’s Weekly, Family Circle and Practical Parenting.

With contributions from

16 Garden Design Ideas For Your Outdoor Space

These garden design ideas are key to creating a scheme you'll love for years to come. Whether you're looking for garden landscaping ideas to overhaul your outdoor space – however big or small – attract more wildlife, or be more sustainable, we've compiled some fabulous garden ideas to help you transform your back garden – and it'll even help to boost your property value.

If you're looking for smaller garden updates, we also share advice and styling tips on garden furniture, paving, lights, plants, borders, decking and more, to help you carve out an outdoor space you can really enjoy.

But, importantly, 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. Not only will this affect planting, it can dictate how you use your space.'

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. 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?

House Beautiful/Mark Scott

Answer these questions and you'll have a clear idea of exactly how you want your garden to work for you. We hope these garden ideas will give you some inspiration...

1. Get your lawn into shape

Look out of your window at your garden and the biggest shape you'll probably see is your lawn. If it's a good, strong shape, it will set the entire garden on the right track. And remember, it doesn't have to be a rectangle – try an oval, circle, square or oblong shape. You'll need the right tools to complete the job. Last year saw a rise in searches for nifty robotic lawn mowers and ride-on mowers, with the Flymo Easi Glide 300 Electric Mower being a best-seller, as revealed by price comparison service PriceRunner.

Ian Lamond / Alamy Stock Photo

For 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. Cut branches back to keep excessive shade away. Water once a week early in the morning if the UK's frequent rain isn't cutting it. For aeration, take a fork to your lawn and poke heaps of holes. Do all of these and your lawn will be verdant before you know it. And don't mow it too short!'

However, with a rise in natural wildlife gardens, perhaps instead of using a lawnmower, you might want to leave your grass to grow long and discover what wildflowers cultivate naturally. This very much taps into the rewilding trend and the idea that 'people want gardens that look like they are "of nature" rather than the more obviously designed spaces', explains garden designer Ann-Marie Powell. Read more: The big lawn debate: to mow or not to mow?

2. Plan your planting

The best garden designs start with structural plants infilled with pretty, flowering plants. So use evergreen shrubs at the end of each border and as punctuation along the way. Include small shrubs such as box balls, or large evergreens, for example mahonia, for bigger areas.

Once you have this frame, fill the gaps with pretty flowering plants. Try to stick to just five or six different types and arrange them in repeated patterns for a coordinated and harmonious effect. 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.

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. Containers offer the most flexibility though, allowing you to move them around however suits. 'Creeping rosemary is a great plant for edging in containers, as it trails rather than growing upright, is evergreen and covered in blue flowers in spring,' says Tony Woods, managing director of garden design company Garden Club London.

If you don't have room for metre-deep beds, you could place climbers at the back of the border so you can still get height in the planting. In terms of climbing plants, opt for an evergreen like clematis, which provides a beautiful and colourful display.

Tony recommends star jasmine for seating areas: 'It's very well-behaved, produces masses of white, waxy, scented flowers throughout the summer and reacts well to being cut back, so is ideal for positioning behind a seating area where you don't want plants hanging over and can enjoy the scent.'

When you're choosing flowering plants, try to make some of them 'out of season' performers so you have some year-round colour, or put in spring and early summer bulbs to get the garden off to a great start.

If you're looking for ways to make your garden more sustainable, The Samphire Garden by Sue Townsend demonstrates how you can create a garden that both benefits the planet and yet is still bursting with texture and visual interest.

Set amongst paving of locally reclaimed York Stone, the coastal garden in Suffolk uses a rich palette of drought-tolerant planting, including native seaside plants, grasses and Mediterranean shrubs surrounded by a stone mulch in different sizes. Plants include verbena bonariensis, eryngiums, euphorbias, lavender, achillea, ballota, miscanthus nepalensis, pennisetum, verbena and thymus. Ensure you use permeable surfaces to allow water to be released naturally into the ground.

3. Trees

Mature trees can be a starting point for building a scheme. They block the glare of the sun and can also be used as an anchor for shade sails, hammocks, pendant lights or hanging decorations.

Trees can also screen an unattractive view or help to filter noise and air pollution if you live near a busy road. And they benefit nature significantly, providing pollen for insects and shelter for birds, and converting airborne carbon dioxide into oxygen.

A growing trend is multi-stem trees – planting these can create an architectural showpiece, with the elegant canopies lending themselves to layered underplanting or, if planted exclusively, creating a striking structural statement. As seen below in this modern Suffolk garden by Caitlin McLauglin, multi-stem trees and soft planting creates a deconstructed woodland environment in a front courtyard garden.

'Trees are fantastic as a habitat and food source for wildlife and as a source of carbon capture. They also give structure and architecture to a garden,' says Sarah Squire, Chair of Squire’s Garden Centres. 'There are trees for every size and shape of garden, from a small acer in a pot on a balcony or a gorgeous flowering cherry in a back garden, to birch, whitebeam and hornbeam (my personal favourite) for larger spaces.'

4.

Beautiful paving

The colour and style of your paving and the way it is laid can provide a strong design direction for the entire garden. For instance, grey or white stone laid in a random pattern will set the scene for a French country look; black or silver paving organised in a regular design will form the perfect backdrop to a sleek and modern scheme; while golden stone arranged in a mixed pattern creates an English country feel.

Need some inspiration? Butter Wakefield created an elaborate paving design of 10 interlinking circles in her Ribbon Wheel garden, each one different in design and size and connected to one another by a 'ribbon' of York cobblestones. The circles, created from a combination of limestone and York stone are laid in a mix of setts and cobbles creating a stunning effect.

If you want to create the garden of your dreams, attention to detail is everything. Create a beautiful scheme by coordinating your plants with your choice of paving. For example:

  • Grey or white stone looks great with purple and white blooms
  • Black and silver paving looks amazing with strong colours such as red, orange and yellow
  • Golden paving works with flowers that have soft tones – pink, lavender, and chalky yellow.

    Michael John McGarr, director and garden designer at Warnes McGarr & Co, suggests: 'Rather than jet washing the old worn paving, think about something new and exciting like large-format porcelain paving. Porcelain absorbs no water so requires less cleaning than traditional types of paving, meaning less pressure washing and much less hard work when multiplied over future years.'

    Regardless, it's a good idea to create a flow of movement from your home into the garden. 'By ensuring your paving is the same level as your indoor flooring, you can blur the lines between the interior and the exterior of the property,' adds Michael.

    5. Distinct levels

    Is your garden on different levels? If you don't like the idea of incorporating stone steps, you can achieve a seamless look with your existing lawn, for example, by enabling the flow from one space to the next. As seen in the below photo, garden designer Helen Elks-Smith used grass treads, integrating them into the existing lawn to connect the lower patio to the small sun terrace above.

    Looking for decking ideas? If you have an uneven or sloping garden, decking is an ideal and cost-effective option for levelling it out. Decking can also have split levels and include steps, making it the ideal space for dining furniture, and due to its use, a decked garden area typically needs to withstand heavy foot traffic.

    Environmentally friendly, anti-slip and maintenance-free, Millboard's composite decking boards are an innovative mix of polyurethane and a mineral blend, offering the beauty and versatility of natural wood without the maintenance. This wood-free decking has a non porous outer layer, so it essentially self-cleans so the rain will do the hard work.

    6. The furniture


    For smaller courtyards and patios, go for folding furniture, or bench seating that can be tucked under a dining table when not in use. L-shaped sofas can be surprisingly compact, while larger spaces can take full-on seating sets, with matching chairs, sofas and tables, sun loungers and day beds, or on-trend hanging egg chairs or swing seats.

    Invest in a good garden furniture set that will last for years to come. Consider the space and allow enough room for each person to be able to sit comfortably and pull out their chair without bumping into anything. And remember, you'll also need room to walk around the table with everyone seated. It takes up much more space than you might think!

    According to Claire Belderbos, director of garden landscaping specialists, Belderbos Landscapes, 'a dining table works best in the area of the garden that has early afternoon full or partial sun. Put a smaller seating area where you can enjoy the evening sun'.

    If, for example, you can't move your three-piece set indoors over winter, buy furniture covers to protect and extend its life. And whatever garden furniture you buy, don't forget to accessorise with outdoor cushions for extra comfort.

    And let's not forget other garden must-haves, including fire pits and chimineas, patio heaters, barbecues and pizza ovens – planning space for these is key, as is where they will be stored or protected once it's winter.

    7. Pay attention to your boundaries

    In a small garden, boundary walls, fences or hedges may be the biggest element in view, so it's really important for them to look good. They don't have to all be the same but try to provide visual links between them. You could have the same type of fence, for instance, and grow climbers up them in coordinating colours. If you aren't able to change the fences, whitewash them or clad them with battens or trellis. Check with your neighbours first to establish whose fence it is and ask permission before doing any work.

    Elizabeth MoehlmannGetty Images

    The materials you choose are key, too. For example, timber posts don't have to be confined to fencing a garden off from the neighbours. Carefully positioned within a garden, they can be used to frame plants or seating areas and add extra interest to borders or paths.

    A really inventive use can be seen in the NHS 70 Garden for Addenbrooke's Hospital by garden landscape company Bowles & Wyer. They used reclaimed oak posts to frame the view along a meandering path at its centre, positioning them at different heights and angles so that new aspects of the space open up to visitors as they make their way through.

    8. Screening and zoning

    You should also think about screening areas of your garden to create separate 'rooms'. Introduce hard landscaping in the form of pergolas or fences, or through plants. 'You can’t go wrong with hardy rose bushes or tall bamboo,' suggests Jon Holloway, founder of Garden Trading. Alternatively, try a line-up of potted trees.

    If space is limited, consider zoning areas of your garden, although this is a good idea for every garden shape and size. 'The garden is definitely an extension of the kitchen and living space,' says Vicky Angell, outdoor living buyer for John Lewis & Partners. 'In part, this is because our homes are, on average, smaller than ever, so we're looking to the outdoors for space to entertain and relax. '

    9. Accessorise the fifth room

    Think about how you can turn your outdoor space into a relaxing sanctuary with cosy garden decor and tactile furnishings. Essentially you want to create a living room look, it's just outdoors rather than inside, so bear this in mind when on the hunt for decor and accessories.

    For example, you could invest in an outdoor rug (Cuckooland sell a great selection of Fab Hab rugs made from recycled plastic) along with chunky knit throws, lanterns, and outdoor cushions for an inviting and snug feel. Reflect light around your chosen spot with a garden mirror; invest in a waterproof speaker; choose citronella candles to keep bugs at bay; keep warm in the evenings with a patio heater, and last but certainly not least, dot smaller potted plants around the space, much as you would with houseplants.

    10. Integrate your ornaments

    The most important rule with garden ornaments is to nestle them in with the planting. Choose wisely as an ornament or water feature (although it's great for wildlife) that's plonked in the centre of an empty space is unlikely to look good. If it's too small it will look lost and something too big will overwhelm the space; the latter has also been known to devalue your home, so it's something to bear in mind when it's time to sell.

    If you like the idea of hearing the trickle of running water in your garden but don't want a fountain, try a simple stone trough and water spout like the one incorporated into Butter Wakefield's Ribbon Wheel garden (below). The antique trough is designed with wall panels hanging above it, incorporating antiqued mirrors to reflect the garden beyond and painted a dark grey to set off the green of the surrounding plants.

    11. Install a garden room

    A garden room is a great way to maximise and extend your space whether you want a home office or a yoga studio, and planning permission is not usually required. Whether it's a large shed or summerhouse, it can be the perfect space for entertaining guests over summer, and can even be used as additional accommodation for guests. Think about ways to make your garden more than just an outdoor area to eat, drink and soak up the sunshine.

    12. Living walls

    Living walls are becoming more popular in garden designs, providing a great way to embrace vertical planting and create maximum drama in your outdoor space. You can position a living wall anywhere, just remember to choose the right plants for that part of the garden, just as you would with a border. There are plenty of green wall kits and living wall planters available too, so shop around to find one that best suits your space.

    You can also invest in high impact living wall systems, which varies in cost depending on how complex you want it, to fill large expanses of wall.

    John Davies incorporated hydroponic walls into the roof and basement gardens of this office building in London. A mix of flowering shrubs and perennials, such as buddleia and fuschia, complements the evergreen planting framework and creates a year-round effect with seasonal colour.

    Alternatively, using your garden walls for planting – whether it's with a trellis or containers – is a great way to create an instant living wall. Using climbing plants and wall shrubs such as clematis, roses, honeysuckle or wisteria, will add a vertical element to your outside space.

    13. Don't forget the lights


    Speaking of lighting, don't underestimate how important it is to create atmosphere in your garden. In exactly the same way that you layer up indoor lighting, do the same for garden lighting and choose a variety of sources (Lights4Fun stock a great range), including fairy lights, festoon lights, wall lights, freestanding lamps and ground lights etc. 'Outdoor lights and a fire pit mean that you can continue to enjoy your space even when the sun sets or if the weather isn't quite what you hoped,' says Jon Holloway.

    Whether it's fairy lights or lanterns dotted along a garden path (Lights4Fun stock a great range), the lights you choose will bring character, ambience and atmosphere to your space – and it's essential for dining alfresco well into the evening.

    14. Small space solutions

    Vertical planting is key. Make use of fences and walls by planting upwards to maximise space and buy hanging baskets (these are great for front gardens too). In terms of paving, switch to gravel; it's much more affordable. The most important thing to remember is that just because you have a small garden, it doesn't mean you can't enjoy it and make the most of it. There are some great space-saving, foldable or stackable table and chair sets that are perfect for compact spaces – invest in a garden bistro set for style and functionality and deck chairs for easy, instant seating.

    15. A family garden

    Get smart with landscaping to utilise space in a family garden to make it work for everyone. For example, Adolfo Harrison created a hidden playground in this garden in east London, weaving elements of play throughout the design so that both children and adults can enjoy the space.

    Monkey bars form a pergola to which swings and slides can be attached, boulder stepping stones are laid out to enable children to jump from one to the other along the length of the garden, and two moon benches provide a snug place where they can sit, set within a living wall to create a playful face. Mirrors are used to make the space feel bigger and a 'ceiling' created by the canopy of long-stemmed bamboos focus attention within the space and create a more intimate atmosphere.

    Kids love going out in the garden for some playtime but zoning an area is key, as small family gardens can often be dominated by play equipment, leaving little room for anything else. While you would need to have a large garden to install a slide or playhouse, for more restricted spaces, sand tables or mud kitchen play sets in a corner will work great, and it will entertain kids for hours.

    16. Don't forget wildlife

    Always consider the impact your garden design has on wildlife. For example, do your best to help bees by planting bee-friendly plants, speak to your neighbours about creating a hedgehog highway, and buy some bird feeders to hang on fences or from tree branches. Bee hotels, wildlife ponds, log piles, plants for pollinators and compost heaps will continue to increase in popularity.

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    30 beautiful photos - Roomble.com

    2020-06-14T18:00:32+00:00 2020-06-14T22:42:11+00:00 GARDEN IDEAS: 30 beautiful photos 2020-06-14T18:00:32+00:00 Looking for beautiful photos to design your country garden? Your attention - 30 interesting design options GARDEN IDEAS: 30 beautiful photos

    Looking for beautiful photos to design your country garden? Your attention - 30 interesting design options

    An undecorated yard on a country plot is a headache for every owner. I want not just aesthetics - I want to get a beautiful, spectacular, stylish garden in which you can gather with friends, relax, and enjoy the morning silence in the bosom of nature. And at any time of the year. Not sure how to turn a boring and dull yard into a beautiful garden? We will help you with ideas.

    A beautiful water feature can beautify even the most gloomy yard. Let it be small and modest, but there should be a fountain - for beauty, microclimate, freshness.

    The use of wood is one of the trends of the year. From this eco-friendly material, you can create not only houses, but also original designs for relaxing in a suburban area. Wooden decks and terraces around trees are relevant in conditions of a shortage of usable space and, no doubt, are aesthetic.

    You can build a bench around a tree even from ordinary dismantled pallets. The main thing is to remember that a growing tree needs its own space, so you should not fix the main structure on the tree itself.

    A simple garden path can become not only a functional element of the garden, but also the main focus of the chosen design. Moreover, it does not necessarily require large expenses, sometimes the simplest tiles and pebbles or expanded clay and crushed stone are enough to fill the voids creatively.

    Are you looking for ideas to create original decorations in your garden? An excellent option is hanging rattan chairs: comfortable, stylish, aesthetic.

    Paving slabs are often used in home landscaping because of their low cost with very attractive results. In addition, you can work with this tile yourself - a good savings for the family budget.

    There are a myriad of design ideas for organizing flower beds in the country. Flower beds and flower beds decorate the garden, delight the eye, mask the imperfections of the summer cottage.

    The hedge as a phenomenon is no longer a novelty - this way to beautifully isolate yourself from curious neighbors and mark the boundaries of the site is used everywhere. In addition, with the help of a hedge, you can zone the space, decorate the borders of the paths, and so on. For a more solid density of the living "fence", plants can be planted in several rows, combining varieties.

    When choosing materials and elements for garden decoration, do not forget about water bodies. You can even build a pond on your own if you follow the instructions. As decorations, experts recommend using flowers planted around the perimeter, plaster sculptures or decorative fish.

    An open veranda is a great way to increase the usable space, add solidity to a country house and create a cozy corner for a summer dining siesta. You can hide your "oasis" from the scorching sun with such an aesthetic method.

    Flowerbeds along the main fence on the site beautifully mask not only the dull fence, but also the unevenness of the terrain. You can decorate flower beds with unpretentious flowers or small shrubs, if the quality of the soil leaves much to be desired.

    Editor's note:

    — A beautiful garden does not always require radical changes and funds to pay for the work of a landscape designer. There are more than enough ways to decorate and transform the garden. An ordinary yard is turned into a plant garden. Today they can be bought at the nearest nursery - from mosses to seedlings. Modest water elements are among the most spectacular "tools" in the design of the garden. And it is not the size that is important, but the design of the "coast" line. A garden of stones, a creative arrangement of flowers, for example, in a cartwheel or in an old trough, beautiful lamps, garden paths and a drop of exotic - the same black tulips, will not hurt in the courtyard either. A little imagination, a little effort - and your garden will be magnificent.

    The use of huge planters and monumental flower pots is an opportunity to surprise your guests with a stylish design of the yard and garden. One of the European trends is the combination of flowers and greenery with berry bushes.

    No need to cut down extra trees on the site - they can be used in the overall design of the future stylish garden. For example, to create such a cozy corner with aesthetic and practical functions.

    A wooden terrace-deck will fit into almost any country design. Even a small deck for a table and a couple of chairs will become a functional decoration at a low cost.

    Original stone garden paths are one of the most popular solutions in home garden design. The best material for paving paths is, of course, natural stone, which will emphasize the beauty of the garden and will not require repairs in a couple of years. Beautiful, durable, free!

    Flower pots can be used to decorate yards, gardens, patios, decks, garden paths and even balconies. Flower arrangements in tubs are mobile, aesthetic and organic in any site design.

    A patio area in a summer cottage is simply unthinkable without stylish furniture and an abundance of greenery. As a site for this open-air living room, it is recommended to choose a place that dries quickly after rain.

    Even without the skills of a designer and architect, you can design your country garden in accordance with your dreams and ideas. You can turn the site into a sample of landscape design by borrowing ready-made ideas.

    Looking for a garden design that will impress every guest? Classic inexpensive tiles, ornamental shrubs and a plaster flowerpot are your “three pillars” of design. For a low-growing border of garden paths, you can use boxwood, juniper, spirea, Japanese quince.

    Fashionable and spectacular garden paths do not always require serious financial investments. For example, this masterpiece will only require time and your efforts. And large natural stones, and tiny pebbles, and broken bricks with tiles that you were going to throw away are suitable as materials.

    Even an old children's truck that you found in the attic can find a personal place in the garden. What can we say about flower pots, which are used in the design of the site in many ways. For example, like this…

    The main trend of modern landscape design is a stylish combination of residential plots of backyard territory with a green area. Patio, elegant "living rooms" in the courtyard and decks; simple forms and materials, hedges and phytowalls, multifunctionality of spaces and objects are the fashion trends of recent years.

    This fragrant rose garden can be used instead of a hedge, as an arch or as a canopy over a pergola. It is important to remember that climbing roses require permeable soil and special care.

    Another example of low-budget dacha landscape design: a mosaic of garden paths changes the look of the entire area.

    Globular plants are always eye-catching: they blend harmoniously with any garden design and are regularly used by landscape designers. If you don’t have time and energy for a curly haircut, you can simply choose plants with a natural spherical crown.

    Editor's note:

    — With the help of coniferous spherical plants, you can create a very interesting composition if you choose the right "balls" in size and height. Such plants often become a tool for smoothing the strict geometry of flower beds, enlivening space and creating comfort. Coniferous “balls” planted in the far corners of the site create the effect of an immense space, and even serve as umbrellas above the bench. Spherical plants can be used to decorate a garden alley.

    Natural large stones are the highlight of any garden, able to connect different areas of the site into one beautiful whole. It is preferable to use stones as the edge of garden paths, lawns, ponds, plant compositions and other things. The most spectacular such decor can be for a composition of heather plants and mosses.

    When a child dreams of a sports corner, and the spouse's pulse quickens at the word "design"...

    Of course, huge sports structures will be difficult to fit into the design of the site, but still a compromise is possible.

    Broken tiles, neatly trimmed grass, globular shrubs and an old tin tub as a vintage flower pot… A design that won't hit the wallet.

    Admiring concrete slabs is a dubious pleasure. And a fence made of unsightly boards will not bring aesthetic joy. Unless, of course, you do not use the possibilities of a hedge: for example, a low-growing ornamental shrub is on this side of the fence, tall and prickly on the other.

    Outdoor gatherings are always more pleasant than at home when it's barbecue and mosquito season. And of course, the fireplace in such cozy evenings is not enough. But who is stopping you from equipping it right on the street? The design style depends only on the purpose - whether you need a fireplace for beauty, for heating or for barbecue.

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    80 interesting ideas for giving. Beautiful interiors and design

    You have every opportunity to get a beautiful and large garden by devoting more time and attention to developing its plan. All this can be done with your own hands, without the involvement of professionals. The design of the garden and vegetable garden is based on the correct distribution of zones.

    In this article, we have collected original garden ideas that you can easily bring to life with a little effort.

    Photo: DIY garden ideas

    What is the perfect garden?

    In fact, there are no clear rules, following which you will get the garden of your dreams. All you need is to gain strength, time and patience. When creating flower beds with your own hands, pick plants that will bloom for as long as possible. In the design of flowers, you can use the principle of "rainbow" or simply form flower beds in one color scheme. Warm hues can help make your garden funnier and warmer, while neutral tones bring out the beauty of brighter plants and flowers.

    Interesting ideas for the garden - large garden pots can be used as a stand-alone design element in the garden

    SEE ALSO: Climbing roses, planting and care. 22 photos

    A bridge placed in the garden will give integrity and stylistic completeness to the garden composition

    Photo: original ideas for a garden with your own hands

    Create a garden and a house in the same style!

    It is important to remember that a garden is an extension of your home, its outer part. That is why they must be combined with each other. The garden should contain elements of home decoration, or appropriate colors and shapes. The background for the plants is the color of the walls of the house. To make the composition expressive, place lighter plants on a dark background, and vice versa on a light background.

    Backyard design is a great garden decorating idea

    New ideas for decorating your own garden

    SEE ALSO: Five Landscape Lighting Ideas

    summer cottage, often wonders about the correctness of their care. Plants are living beings and cannot be completely controlled. Not every gardener knows the intricacies of watering, temperature conditions or top dressing. Improper care can kill your plant very quickly. Therefore, surround your flowers with care and attention, which will soon thank you with their beauty.

    Select garden plants that take root in your garden

    Ideas for designing a garden - an example of garden track design

    Read also: Platoen Garden Paths from Power Taps

    Photo: Ideas for decorating Garden

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    Interesting DIY Garden Ideas

    Make a plan of your area and a list of the plants you want to have in your garden. Mark on the plan all the sunny and shady corners, which will help you when placing the plants.

    Making your own garden

    Diversify the design of your garden

    The highlight of your garden can be a small pond. Add a couple of moisture-loving plants to it and your garden will sparkle with new colors. You can also divide the site into separate zones. So that they do not visually mix, use a frame with climbing plants or a hedge.

    Beautiful ornamental shrubs for cottages and gardens

    The real decoration of the garden plot - flowering plants that fill it with bright colors

    Photo: an original idea for your garden

    Garden paths will help to add elegance and well-groomedness to the plot. In addition to practical functions, they carry aesthetic value. Also, do not forget to equip a comfortable and cozy seating area in your garden.

    The idea to create a recreation area for a summer house and a garden with your own hands

    Photo: an idea for a summer house and a garden

    Decorate the garden with a hammock - create yourself an ideal place for rest and relaxation

    Ideas for your garden and garden

    It is a pleasure to be in a thoughtful and harmonious garden. Walk around your garden a few times and invite your friends over. Think about how much time you are willing to spend there and what you want to endow your site with. Do not make hasty decisions, because a beautiful garden takes time

    Fun ideas for the cottage and garden

    Plants that delight with their splendor and enhance the beauty of the house

    Green and orange colors will look spectacular in your garden friends or family

    Interesting DIY garden ideas

    New garden ideas

    A garden that combines greenery, flowers and a large lawn area

    Stones in the landscape design of Garden Plot

    Read also: How to arrange a beautiful line of lawn

    New ideas for decorating the garden

    Example of garden paths using flower compositions
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