The key requirement of this project brief was the warm coloured materials. The client wanted a combination of brighter colours with a contrasting charcoal edge. The monoblocked driveway was laid in a square herringbone pattern using Bracken and Charcoal blocks. This was complimented with Raveena sandstone for the step and ramp, with sandstone block walling. This continue round the side of the house to the back using the same materials to make the scheme flow. 

If you're planning a garden makeover, a new border or working with a garden designer, you may have come across planting plans and wondered if they are worth investing your time or money into.

If you're creating your own one, you'll need to survey your garden, draw up a plan, and research potential plants.

Planting plans, or planting schemes, are used to determine which plants should go where in a garden. These can be simple and practical, to elaborate and decorative. There are many benefits of using one:

• Your plants are more likely to thrive as they are carefully chosen to suit the soil type, sunlight and shelter of an area.
  
• You can get the most from your budget by comparing the prices of different plants while considering the scheme as a whole.
  
• Planting for the seasons means you can plan for a garden that blooms in different stages for year-round interest.
  
• If you're looking for a low maintenance garden, spending time researching plants at the start will save time gardening in the future.
  
• You can fill your garden with beautiful colour combinations to compliment your hard landscaping and accessories.
  
• Dramatic beds and borders can be designed with structural plants and contrasting textures which make a wonderful focal point.
  
• If you have pets or small children, you can be sure not to accidentally use any plants which may be harmful to them.
  
• You'll know that you have the right amount and size of plants to fill the spaces in your garden as they grow - no gaps or overcrowding.
  
• Once planted, you can use your plan as a reminder of which plant is where so you can care for them properly.

These are just a few reasons to use a planting plan when designing your garden. We offer planting plans as part of our garden design services if it's something you need help with.