Chelsea's Grand Designs

Above: Add special features to your Kentish garden

Above: Brett Landscaping's Chelsea Garden

Whether you’re designing a garden from scratch or looking to transform an uninspiring established garden, careful planning is essential. Choosing the right look and the right landscaping products can bring your outdoor space alive, so take your time to get it right.

Before you start, consider what you want from your garden. Somewhere to entertain? A living area for the whole family? Or simply a place to relax?

Examine your likes and dislikes. Do you prefer a classical design, a formal setting, or a warm, informal area? Do you want the emphasis to be on privacy? Do you have time to care for your garden, or are you looking for something low maintenance?

Start by making a note of which area of your garden gets early morning or evening sun and is sheltered from the wind, as this makes an ideal spot for your patio.

Don’t just see your garden as a chunk of lawn with plants around the edge

Also, check surrounding buildings to see how much of your space is overlooked as this will influence your design; and note which areas are in shade or full sun, as this will determine your plant choices. Take photos from an upstairs window to get a bird’s-eye perspective of your garden, as this will make it easier to plan your design.

Think about how to get the most out of your space. Don’t just see it as a chunk of lawn with plants around the edge - consider how you can use walls, trellises and hedges to divide the garden into interesting areas. Use pathways to lead the eye to hidden parts of the garden or a lovely view, or create a feeling of spaciousness with flowing, interesting shapes.

Awkwardly-shaped or sloping gardens needn’t be a problem; in fact, a sloping garden presents the opportunity to introduce steps and attractive walling, helping to create a feeling of space. Just one step can make a big difference, especially in a small garden.

When selecting your paving, colour is often the first consideration, but style and texture can also make a big difference to the overall feel. Cobbled surfaces give a slightly rugged, traditional feel, for example, while smooth blocks or paving slabs feel more classical.

Although some contrast is nice, the material you choose should generally complement the colour and texture of the materials in which your house is built. Try using similar colours and products to those inside the house; continuing your colour scheme outdoors will make it look like it’s part of the same space, to stunning effect.

When working out how much you want to spend, stick to a budget. Installation will usually be around 80 per cent of the cost of your landscaping project but also include a contingency of five to 10 per cent to allow for any unexpected costs. Don’t forget to budget for extras like fencing, planting and furniture and, if you’re starting from scratch, allow up to 30 per cent of your budget for planting.

If you don’t plan to do the work yourself, make sure you find a reputable installer. Unless a friend or relative can recommend someone, use a contractor who’s been approved by a national supplier, such as Brett, so you can be sure they’ve been thoroughly vetted.

When working out how much you want to spend, stick to a budget

Good installers are usually booked for months in advance, however, so be prepared to wait. If you can’t find an approved installer in your area who is available when you want them, contact Interlay or the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI). They maintain stringent accreditation schemes and codes of practice that members must adhere to.

Before you order paving, measure the dimensions of the area and draw a basic diagram. This will help you visualise what your garden will look like and help your installer to give you a more accurate quotation. Try to get two or three quotations, and make sure they are broken down into labour and product costs.

Your selection of plants will depend on several things, including colour scheme, aspect, soil type and ‘theme.’ Also think about how much time you can spare to care for your garden. If you want low maintenance, go for disease-resistant plants that tolerate drought and frost and don’t need regular pruning.

If you’re planning a seating area, consider building a trellis or pergola over the top to support a strongly scented shrub. Belgica, a variety of Honeysuckle, is a good choice. Most garden centres and nurseries will be happy to give you advice on which plants are suitable.

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