Design Secrets of Professional Landscapers

Gardens have never been more important. 2020 was a strange year when people really began to appreciate the value and significance of outdoor space and the impact that this can have on mental health and wellbeing.

Over the last few peculiar months more and more of us have taken to developing our gardens, whether this involves nurturing an abundance of tubs and baskets on a roof terrace or managing a family garden with lawns and flowerbeds galore.

In this pandemic our homes and our gardens have become sanctuaries, something many of us have previously taken for granted. Data shows that demand for professional landscapers and qualified gardeners has never been higher as the monotony of working from home has led us to want to escape from the home office. We’ve spoken to an array of landscaping professionals and identified their top tips for designing the ultimate outdoor garden space.

1. Plan for Year-Round Appeal
When you move into a house take your time to see what planting you already have. Whilst your garden may look sparse in January, it may be that an abundance of colour is near with Spring imminent. Only once you’ve seen your garden through all seasons should you make changes to ensure that your garden has lush planting and interest throughout all 12 months.

2. Connect points of interest with a pathway
Nobody likes to see a muddy and trampled lawn so consider adding a gently meandering path connecting key focal points in your garden. The days of clunky timber edging that rots the moment it is installed are long-gone. Instead, metal landscape edging can help you to achieve a really professional looking pathway that is easy to install and requires minimal maintenance. Whether you’d like steel or aluminium, we have a solution to your design needs.

3. Incorporate a water feature for a natural feel
If you think about historic properties, they always have a water feature within their gardens that lifts planting and creates a calming vibe. Think about incorporating some sort of water feature within your garden. Try incorporating natural stone or the same material used to build you home for natural synergy.

4. Add an outdoor seating area
Nothing makes enjoying the great outdoors easier than having access to outdoor seating all year round. Zoning is important in any garden, so make sure that in your garden design plans that you have somewhere to sit back and enjoy your garden. Look to include natural stone (Indian sandstone is currently hugely popular) or look perhaps pavers. Don’t forget that you can link this zone to your garden path by adding finesse and incorporating metal landscape edging around the seating area. You really will be the envy of all of your friends.

5. Extend the hours you can enjoy your garden
Maximise the length of time that you can sit out and enjoy your garden space by adding some lighting. Placing lights alongside paths helps with accessibility, but don’t be restricted with positioning, perhaps consider placing lights on alternative sides of your garden to softly break up any lines.