What to think about when planning a garden

Whether you have arrived in a new home, or want a refresh of your outdoor space, designing a new garden should be a pleasurable experience. Here are some key things to consider when planning a garden.
Hard landscaping

Hard landscaping is one of the most permanent features of your garden, and should be thought about alongside – if not before – you put any planting in. Have you considered a path or steps?

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Although not the most exciting aspect, you must also think about infrastructure and what may be lying under your soil, so you don’t accidentally damage any sewer or drainage pipes when adding hard landscaping. Perhaps your garden is already waterlogged? If so, you may wish to call in professionals, such as www.wilkinson-env.co.uk/sewer-repairs-drain-lining-concrete-cutting/drain-repairs/drain-repairs-solihull. If you are considering something like drainage addition or sewer pipe lining Solihull, an expert can advise you on your options.

Light

As much as you may love dahlias, if your garden is shady for most of the day they won’t work. However, you could create a beautiful green oasis with ferns and other shade-loving plants. Similarly, if your garden gets baked by the sun, then hydrangeas and nicotianas may not be for you.

Height

The first thing most of us do when planning a new garden is fill our borders horizontally. But you should also consider filling the vertical space. Consider tall plants like hollyhocks and sunflowers, and you could consider climbers such as clematis to cover fences and walls.

Wildlife

The Royal Horticultural Society has called for us all to support wildlife with our landscaping and planting choices. Imagine a garden with no bees or butterflies! Could you add a pond? Can you plant varied shapes of flowers to support pollinators, like verbena, buddleia and lavender? Could you add a hole to the bottom of your fence for critters to come and go?

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Lastly, the most important thing to remember is to create a garden full of plants you love. That way you are more likely to spend time there and enjoy your space.