Our resident garden designers at Benchmark are experts in creating a dreamy outdoor living environment. Here are some top tips to get your creative juices flowing.
One of the advantages of buying a new home is the blank canvas of the garden. Creating your own garden from scratch is exciting, if not a little daunting. Spend time planning and thinking about how you and your family want to use the space. This will ensure you end up with a garden that meets your needs. Here are some top tips and things to consider for creating your perfect outdoor living space:
What are the functions you want the garden to serve, for example:
- A socialising garden with places to sit in, eat and entertain
- A productive garden with vegetable patches, fruit trees and maybe chickens
- A wildlife garden which will encourage nature e.g. birds, bees, insects etc.
- A relaxing garden which would be a retreat to relax in
- A family garden which is split into areas for parents and children’s play areas
Choose a style for the garden, for example:
- English and Cottage Garden
- Japanese Garden
- Contemporary Garden
- Mediterranean Garden
Take and collect photos of the features and plants you like and the look you want to achieve.
Pay attention to the aspect of your garden. Is it North, South East or West facing? The aspect of the garden will inform where you locate features, for example:
- Seating areas, Pergolas, Arbours etc.
- Herb and Vegetable beds
- Water features
- Log Piles and Wildlife areas
Draw a plan with the measurements of your garden. Using graph paper will help to get the dimensions to scale.
- Make a list of the most important features you want to include and locate them on the plan
- Use shrub beds and paths to link the various areas and features. Make sure these are wide enough for planting and good access respectively
- Make a list of the plants or ideas you would like in each area
- Show North on the plan. This will be critical when it comes to locating the various elements and using the right plants
When deciding on the trees and shrubs pay attention to the following:
- Plant in groups of 3 or 5, individual plants may seem appealing, but they don’t have the impact of a group of the same species
- Use evergreen plants with interesting foliage to keep your garden looking good throughout the year. Flowering plants are lovely but also consider the different colours and shapes of leaves.
- Have plants that provide flowers, fragrance and fruit in different seasons. This will provide seasonal interest in the garden
Consider a special feature, for example:
- Water feature, bird bath or pond
- Sculpture, Large pot or Urn
- Garden Mirrors, trellis or decorative screen
Final tips before you get down to the planting:
- Use your plan as a guide and mark out the entire garden. Check that everything you want will fit, that the garden flows well and you have enough room for plants
- All the ‘hard landscaping’ like paths and paved surfaces should be completed first, before moving to the garden beds. This should include the structural elements, like arches, pergolas etc. This will minimise potential damage to your new plants.
- Watch the sun travel across your garden during the day, so you can maximise its impact in the garden
- When ready, dig up the garden beds and improve the soil before you begin planting
For more inspiration, you can view the professionally designed gardens at any of the Bloor Show Homes.