6 Place to Find Inspiration for your Garden

If you’re planning a garden makeover it’s never too early to start collecting inspirational reference images. When we speak to a client who has these as a starting point it means we’re on the same page from the first meeting and can get straight to the fun part of working out how to make it happen. If you’re stuck for where to look, here are 6 ideas for where to find garden inspiration:

🌿 Pinterest - the ultimate site for inspiration, search by trends, garden styles and materials and get pinning to a dream garden board .

🌿 Magazines - go analogue and get mood boarding, or see if your local library offers free digital magazines (Dundee City Council does). Check out Modern Gardens and Home & Garden.

🌿 Instagram - if you know roughly what you’re looking for then you can search by that hashtag and see lots of real-world examples e.g. #timberpergola. Save or screenshot the ones you like for later.

🌿 Take a Walk - have a look around your own neighbourhood or a nearby area and see if you can find any inspiring gardens. If you do take pictures be mindful of the owners' privacy.

🌿 Gardening TV Shows - there are plenty to choose from, you’ll often find out about new trends and can research these elsewhere

🌿 National Trust/Historic Scotland/Open Garden Schemes - These gardens may well be a lot grander scale than your own planned makeover but it doesn’t mean you can’t take inspiration from them! Whether you find a little seating area that you love, a herb garden or a colour of stone paving take a photo and add it to your inspiration folder.

First of all, what is composite decking? It's an alternative to traditional timber decking, usually made from wood fibre, recycled plastic, and a binding agent. It's typically a lot more expensive than timber decking, but there are a lot of benefits to making that investment.

🌿 Lower maintenance. No need to worry about regular staining and painting to keep your deck looking perfect.
🌿 Eco friendly. We use brands which are made with FSC 100% certified timber and recycled plastic.
🌿 Lasts longer. A composite deck should last 2-3 times a timber deck. 
🌿 Child friendly. No nasty splinters, warping or splitting  of wood which can cause hazards and need fixing up.
🌿 Anti-slip. Timber decks can become very slippy when wet, composite is generally 'anti slip'.
🌿 Stain & fade resistant. Composite is made with a protective layer which fares much better against the elements than wood.
🌿 Choose your colour. With a timber deck you have different colour options too, but these will require further upkeep.

Are you tempted by a composite deck or do you prefer the look of classic timber decking?

Shopping Spotlight: Garden Textiles 
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With gardens becoming ‘outdoor living rooms’ there are a growing number of soft furnishing options to finish off your space. We’re rounded up a few of our favourite for creating a relaxed and comfortable place to unwind:⁠
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1. Andalucia Cadiz Rug / from £130 / Weaver Green
   
2. Bali Garden Parasol / £250 / Urban Outfitters
   
3. Tufted Outdoor Scatter Cushions / £14 / Matalan
   
4. Eucalyptus Shell Cushion / £90 / Garden Glory
   
5. Havanna Wool Throw / £65 / Nordic Nest
   
6. Pryia Cocoon Bean Seat / £119 / Made.com

Rattan has been having a comeback and it looks like it's here to stay. We've rounded up a selection of our favourite finds, from statement pieces to simple styles. Rattan is a long-lasting natural material, perfect for a relaxing boho look.

1. Synthetic Rattan Chair Maui / £114.99 / Sklum
2. Rattan Peacock Bench Beige Florentine / £769.99 / Beliani
3. Lyon Egg Chair / £349 / Cornwall Garden Shop
4. Hampsted Bench / £290 /  Oak & Ash
5. Calamus Rattan Bench / £382.50 / La Redoute
6. Molfetta Rattan Seating Set / £317.99 / Mano Mano 

Which is your favourite? Are you a fan of this trend?

If you know exactly what you're looking to get done and it's a straightforward project, chances are you won't need our garden design services. 

If you have some idea but aren't sure where to start then we can offer a helping hand to go through the options and get the most for your garden from your budget. Starting with a consultation where we take you through our client questionnaire, we'll work out how your needs match up with your space and your style preferences. 

We offer three standard packages, from a simple consultation and concept to full project management including 3D renderings, planting plans, mood boards and styling. If you'd like to get started on your garden design, we have availability for consultations from next month though we are booked for our landscaping services until the autumn.

It's almost time to think about spring planting. Well, a little on the early side for most things but it's not too early to shop for some gorgeous new planters! Which is your favourite? 

Product details below:⠀

1. Ceramic Turquoise Bowl Glossy  Planter / £108.99 / Get Potted
2. Plant Trough in Dark Rust / £34.99 / Crocus
3. Apta Old Stone Jardineer Planter / £29.99 / Oxford Garden Centre
4. Patt Plant Pot in Metallic Copper / from £9.99 / Hortology
5. Tile Effect Glazed Blue Ceramic Planter / £91.99 / Primrose
6. Concertina Planter in Terracotta / £135 / The Forest and Co

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.