When we were searching for our forever home a few years ago, something with a good garden was high on the priority list. We'd just found out I was pregnant with our second around that time, and the thought of them running around a garden together in the summer was such a driving force to find the right place. When our current (forever) home came onto the market the garden really sold it to me, the house itself needed a fair bit of cosmetic work but the garden had been maintained beautifully. It has that old English garden type vibe, and was pretty much exactly what I had in mind when I was imagining our perfect home. Here's what you can do if you're wanting to create a similar kind of look, and some of the changes we made to lean into the style too.
Historical influence
When you're thinking about the kind of garden you want, it’s worth considering a bit of historical inspiration. England has such a long heritage, and so many outside spaces feel like they carry a story. I've always loved the Victorian and Edwardian styles, with hints of the arts and crafts movement, and that guided a lot of the choices that were made. We went to David Austin Roses, they grow and sell all sorts of varieties with classic shapes and scents, so it’s a great place to pick roses that will really give your garden that timeless, British feel. You can walk around and see/ smell all of the different varieties growing so it's much easier to choose rather than just looking in a catalogue. I went with Gertrude Jekyll which is an extremely fragrant, bright pink climber rose which has climbed all across the back of one of our fences. It smells amazing and looks perfect in this style of garden. Classic plants like roses and lavender give you colour and fragrance through spring and summer, and they immediately make the garden feel timeless. Have a look at different time periods and gardens and use that as inspiration when you're designing your garden as it can really help it all come together.
Cosy Spaces
Another feature of English gardens are the cosy spaces for reflection and enjoying the environment. Things like benches, tables and areas for bird watching or reading a book as the world goes by are the perfect way to make the most of your garden.
Seasonal Interest
Each change of the season brings new plants into bloom and new species into the garden, so think about what grows each season and add that. I've filled one flowerbed with different bulbs that all pop up at different times of the year, tulips and daffodils come up in spring, autumn crocus and crysanthemums come up in autumn then I've got evergreen shrubs and smaller plants that keep it looking alive through the winter. This is a great, easy way to add colour to the garden without much effort. All you need to do is deadhead the flowers once they finish and pull up any weeds.
Layouts
If you have a bigger garden, creating different zones and areas can make the space so much more usable. If you have kids then a play area with their garden toys and a safe place to play is the best use of a large part of the space. If you have areas that are less safe or you dont want to be destroyed (like a veg patch, a greenhouse or just a bin area that's not the most hygienic for kids to be playing near ask local fencing contractors to add some boundaries in to keep everything safe and the garden working well. To keep the old English garden theme, white picket fences look cute or you could have walls built in the style and age period of your home.
Focal Points
Focal points and ornaments that are common in English gardens. For example, you often see things like sundials and classic urns arranged on stone pedestals if you visit National Trust houses and parks. if you want to emulate that kind of style, local garden centres and even shops like B&M during the summer months have these kinds of things for sale. Garden structures like trellises and pergolas can also serve as focal points as they add shade and depth, and you can add climbing plants and hanging baskets for some colour.
Wildlife Encouragement
Finally, traditional English gardens will often encourage wildlife by growing plants that support them. These create an eco system for bees, birds, and butterflies. If you have an area of your garden that you're able to leave wild, sprinkle down some wildflower seeds and make your own personal mini meadow!
