Garden design
Inspiration, ideas and everything you need to know about garden design from the gardening experts
Tips on creating a dog-friendly garden, with expert advice from the RHS
Design ideas for a dog-friendly garden from experts at the RHS and Battersea - the dogs and cats home
How to screen your garden from overlooking neighbours: our designer guide to creating a private sanctuary
Designer Charlotte Harris shows how to screen your garden from the neighbours or block out eyesores
Clematis montana aren't always rampant: if you're looking for a small climber, then these less vigorous varieties could be what you need
Although known as vigorous plants, Clematis montana can be also be medium sized or even compact. Here are some recommended varieties from the National Collection at the garden of National Collection holder, Val Le Neville-Parry.
Save over 45% when you join as a member to Gardens Illustrated today
Save over 45% on the shop price when you join as a member to Gardens Illustrated today
Parking space vs front garden? It is actually possible to have both
Off-street parking and an attractively planted front garden needn’t be mutually exclusive – there are lots of designs that combine the two.
What's new?
Chelsea 2025: A guide to The Glasshouse Garden designed by Jo Thompson
Based on the idea of ‘strong beauty’, the Glasshouse Garden designed by Jo Thompson for RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 features dark-hued roses and an elegant see-through pavilion to create a sanctuary for women in prison.
Chelsea 2025: A guide to The Avanade Intelligent Garden designed by Tom Massey and Je Ahn
Garden designers Tom Massey and Je Ahn are creating this year'sThe Avanade Intelligent Garden for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025.
Chelsea 2025: A guide to The RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog garden designed by Monty Don
Gardeners' World presenter Monty Don is creating this year's Dog Garden – a dog friendly oasis – for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025
It's back! This tiny caterpillar could destroy your hedges: here's how to deal with it
The box caterpillar, or box tree caterpillar, can devastate box plants in a matter of days. Here's how to deal with it.
Ashamed of your front garden? Fix it up fast with our expert guide and real garden inspiration
Designer Charlotte Harris offers inspiration and advice on making the most of the small awkward space outside your front door
Front gardens
Ideas, tricks and inspiration for your front garden from the garden design experts
6 secret tricks of garden designers to make your garden look and feel better
Good gardens usually reference a few tried and tested design tricks – here's how to incorporate some of them into your own space.
Our favourite welly boot storage solutions for 2024
Keep your muddy boots neatly in a row with our picks of useful welly storage designs
The go-to garden furniture of designers: why Hay Palissade is just so popular
Discover the garden furniture that all the top designers are using and find out where you can buy it
Hard landscaping
Everything you need to know about hard landscaping in the garden
How to build a natural swimming pond in your garden
Discover tips on how to build a natural swimming pool or pond in your garden, from expert designer Will Tomson
You can have a sustainable garden that's also beautiful - here's how to design stylish ecological gardens
Charlotte Harris explains how to design gardens that are ecological and beautiful in her expert guide to sustainable garden design
How to make your garden child friendly without ruining it
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.
Garden design resources
Our hub of all the design resources you need to make your garden into the garden you want
The best garden design courses to join
Looking for a garden design course? Here's a selection of the UK's leading garden design schools and details of the training they offer.
These are the top seed suppliers you need to be buying from for your online seed order this year
If you're looking for inspiration for your next crop of flowers, herbs and vegetables, take a look at our recommended seed suppliers this year
Make your own seed envelope using recycled paper with our handy guide and video
Follow our fold-by-fold guide to making your own origami seed envelope. Then save and collect your own seeds from this year's favourites, or swap with a gardening friend and be ready to sow next spring.
Small gardens
Small garden design inspiration, ideas and expert advice. Everything you need to know about designing and planting small gardens
A small city garden that looks good 365 days a year with top designer tips for interest in every season
In making a garden for photographer Alister Thorpe, designer Stefano Marinaz was keen to ensure there would be something worth shooting every day of the year
Stuck with a slope? Top ideas and inspiration for steps and ramps in the garden
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
This tiny city garden was transformed into a marvellous mini woodland glade with nine trees and designer touches
From a small, square, city plot, Stefano Marinaz has created a luscious, multi-textured garden brimming with interest and life.
Soft landscaping
Learn what you need about planting and soft landscaping in the garden from the experts
The island bed is back in our gardens, with a chic designer update – here’s how to do it right for beautiful planting this summer
Designer Charlotte Harris reflects on the shift towards organically shaped ‘island’ planting beds, and reveals inside tips on how to get the right effect.
Limited space? You probably still have room for a tree - discover the best trees for small gardens
Many people worry that a tree will overpower a small garden, but as garden designer Sarah Price shows, the key is finding the right place and the right tree
How to lay a hedge
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
Garden design solutions
Recommended plants and design inspiration for compact plots
How to make your own plant supports and protection that are easy, cheap and full of charm
Ideas for homemade plant supports using natural materials, to give plants support and protection during the growing season.
Forget the rockeries and crazy paving: here’s the right way to use stone in the garden
Designer Charlotte Harris gets to grips with the intricacies of rock and crevice gardens, and looks at other creative ways to incorporate stone in gardens.
How to design a garden on a slope: inspiration for your sloping garden
Creating a garden on a sloping site brings a host of challenges, but, says designer Charlotte Harris, with careful planning it is also an opportunity to make a really interesting space.