Fences and hedges can form either internal divisions or the external boundaries of your plot. Gates will always be the ins and outs of a garden. As with many of the other elements of the design, the range of options is enormous, but here again your choice should reflect the general style of the surrounding composition so that the development of your garden has continuity.

In many cases the choice between a fence and a hedge can be an entirely subjective one. A fence is quickly erected, offers immediate screening and has an average life of between lo and is years. Read the rest of this entry »

Water has a magic all its own — from the strict formality of a rectangular pool set within paving and sculptural planting, to the sweep of an irregularly shaped pond that sets up reflections of everything around it. Imagine the crash of a waterfall on to rocks below or the gentle murmur of a fountain in a raised bed. The mood of water changes too: steel grey, sharp and rimed with frost in the depths of winter; deliciously cool and framed with aquatic planting in the warmth of summer. Of course, water features are not just appreciated by us: a pool is one of the richest habitats you can create in your garden. Birds and insects will come to drink, the frogs and toads that are great predators of unruly bugs will thrive, marginals and deep water plants will bring their own exotic charm, while fish complete the picture. More than any other feature, water will echo your personality.Just how you handle it will be a subtle challenge —success brings enormous pleasure. Read the rest of this entry »

A formal pattern suggests symmetry in which one side or part of a garden or design is identical to the other. While this is not always strictly true, we tend to think of a formal design as one that is built up from geometric elements rather than free-form shapes, displaying a strong degree of visual control and stability.

As far as pools are concerned, the geometry can be square, rectangular, circular, triangular or even a combination of these elements. Formal ponds are usually surrounded by a coping of some kind, even if they are set within an area of soft landscaping in the form of lawn or planting. They may form a set-piece within the larger setting of a courtyard, sunken garden or parterre, and will associate particularly well with decorative features such as statuary, topiary or regularly placed urns and ornaments. Read the rest of this entry »

Natural ponds are invariably informal. If you want to create something similar in your own garden you should first study how water looks without the interference of man. For a start, it will almost certainly be situated in a fold or dip in the land and, although we don’t always have that much space at home, we can at least use the shapes and contours of the garden to ensure that the feature sits comfortably in its surroundings. You can use the spoil from the excavation for this contouring. Remember to keep the topsoil separate from the subsoil, replacing it last as a medium for planting or lawn. Read the rest of this entry »