Small gardens

In this once-overlooked suburban plot, designer Colm Joseph has created a modern gravel garden that offers a relaxing green retreat. Words Kate Jacobs Photographs Richard Bloom

An award-winning show garden from designer Ula Maria has been given a second life in her father’s small plot. Words Rae Spencer-Jones Photographs Rachel Warne

The invention of plastic changed how we gardened forever. Now it is everywhere, here's why we need to deal carefully with our plastic usage and how to get closer to a zero waste garden. llustration Vicki Turner

Kew-trained plant expert Graham Rice recommends 15 of the best crab apple trees for blossom, foliage, fruit and flavour. Photographs Dianna Jazwinski

Think of your garden soil as a living organism that needs gentle handling and you will reap the benefits in healthier plants, urges no-dig gardening expert Charles Dowding

If you thought children's play areas and a stylish garden don't mix, here's our advice on pleasing the whole family in the garden.

Interested in the centuries-old skill of hedge laying? Follow our guide on how to lay a hedge and learn about the traditional ways to lay a hedge. Words Louise Allen, photography Andrew Montgomery, illustration Liam McAuley

Paths are not just a means of getting around – they can knit areas of the garden together and are as much a part of the overall design as any other feature. Designers James Alexander-Sinclair, Andrew Wilson and Arne Maynard offer solution

A playful design by Jack Wallington for a family garden in south London is all about concealment and discovery – and for making memories. Words Natasha Goodfellow. Photographs Claire Takacs

In Bristol Artisan Landscapes have created a calming tranquil space that invites the owners to immerse themselves in its cool, textural greens. Words Juliet Giles, photographs Jason Ingram

Whether you want minimalist design, Japanese elegance or an intimate green retreat, you’ll find lots of inspiration for modern small gardens in our expert guides below. Photograph Alister Thorpe

For this garden in north London, designer Jenny Bloom drew inspiration from the unusually wild landscape on its fringes. Words Kate Jacobs. Photographs Richard Bloom.

To help you get the very best out of bulbs in pots, follow these step-by-step instructions, advice and inspiration to create and maintain stunning container displays throughout the year.

In a California suburb where neat squares of lawn are the norm, landscape studio Terremoto has created something different. Images by Caitlin Atkinson

Award-winning designer Annie Guilfoyle explains everything you need to know before you start to design your outdoor space

Harvesting and storing rainwater run-off, as well as recycling household water, can help gardeners cope with drought, writes garden designer Andrew Wilson

This bold design for a late summer border by gardener Andrea Brunsendorf uses tried and trusted plants that will keep the show going in your garden border until the first frosts

We take a tour around Andy Sturgeon’s small coastal garden in Brighton, where hard landscaping is minimised to allow for plentiful planting. Words Annie Gatti, photographs by Jason Ingram.

Edimental plants – plants that are both edible and ornamental – are a beautiful and easy way to grow your own food. We asked three expert growers to recommend their favourite edimentals to grow.

Careful sculpting, artfully placed local stone and considered planting has transformed a sloping garden in San Francisco into a charming, immersive space. Images by Marion Brenner.

Expert advice from Andrew Wilson on how to cope with level changes in the garden, with ideas on including steps and ramps with safety and accessibility in mind