How to Design an Award-Winning Garden

Gardening - to many - is a hobby derived from a love of growing flowers and plants and watching the outdoor space flourish and thrive. Some like to take that love of horticulture and marry it with creative flair to take their garden to the next level and design a garden worthy of any award.

In this article, we will explore what it takes to design and create your award-winning garden and - more importantly - where to start.

What is the aim with your garden?

It is important to consider what you want from your garden. Are you looking to create a beautiful garden with the goal of impressing your guests or would you actually like to put your garden forward and enter into competitions? Depending on what you are looking to gain from your garden will very much determine the route you take when it comes to design and functionality.

How do you take your garden to the next level?

Whether you are looking to win awards or just give your garden that competitive edge and bragging rights, there are steps you can take to make your garden extra special.

Design and positioning of your plants

When planning the layout of your garden, one fairly critical aspect is to ensure that your plants will complement each other as they grow. For your plants and flowers to thrive it is important to choose ones that are suited to your local climate and soil conditions. When the flowers bloom, having the colours interspersed will naturally draw the eye around the whole area. You should select plants with a variety of textures and a mix of evergreen and deciduous plants which will maintain visual interest all year round. This will ensure a diverse and balanced composition.

Consider the size and positioning of the plants and to make sure that you don’t place big plants in front of small ones to hide them.

Pick a theme

A theme will help you design your garden around a specific idea or concept. This may mean creating a sense of order and organisation or opting for a wilder garden. It will mean that you can pick plants that complement each other, choose the right colours and have some direction with your planning. Your theme will tie everything together and enhance the overall experience of your garden and will also allow for personal expression and guide your design decisions to create a well-balanced and visually pleasing outdoor space

Adding extra interest

Think about how someone would move around your garden. Are there any areas where you could add something of extra interest? Creating focal points around your garden will captivate the interest of your guests and contribute to its overall charm. For example, placing a sculpture in your garden will add some height and draw the eye to different levels whilst a water feature would add a soothing noise and a beautiful aesthetic. Climbing plants like vines, roses or honeysuckle can provide a natural canopy for areas of shade, whilst art and upcycling of household objects can add vibrance and interest.

Quality of structures

This refers to larger structures such as any pergolas or sheds you may have in your garden. These structures must be maintained and checked regularly for signs of wear and tear. Even in the most beautiful, well-maintained garden, a shed that is falling apart will make the entire space look run down.

Extra maintenance

Whether you are entering your garden into competitions or just wanting to create the wow factor for your visitors, an award-winning garden requires regular maintenance. If you have a lawn this means keeping it mown and creating those clean lines that are so pleasing to the eye. Make sure that paths are kept clear of fallen leaves and flowerbeds are weed-free. These little touches will give your garden a flawless appearance.

Functionality

Even award-winning gardens need to be functional. Think about how you use your garden. Do you love to entertain? If so, you might opt for a stunning seating area. Perhaps you love to feed the birds. You can find stunning bird feeders that serve a purpose and act as a feature in your garden.

If you want people to walk around your garden and admire the plants, you might consider speaking to a landscaper and asking them to design and create a path to take your visitors on a journey through your garden.

First impressions

As the saying goes, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”. Scientists say that the majority of people form a first impression within 7 seconds so it is crucial to make a good one.

Visiting your garden should be an experience that is enjoyed from the second your visitors walk in. Consider what they will see when they first walk in and decide what you want to greet them with. An enticing garden entrance might mean adorning the area with an abundance of colour or you may prefer to keep it simple with a calming, zen-inspired space.

Top tips to win awards

To take your garden from amazing to award-winning, there are a few tips that judges recommend that you follow. Judges are looking for a garden that oozes personality and really speaks to them. A garden should have a story and that story should be obvious as your visitors walk through it. Some things to consider are:

• Creative and bold planting
• A good balance between appearance and functionality
• Personality
• Visually striking
• Clever use of colour and texture

Open gardens

If you have created a beautiful garden that you are proud of but don’t want to enter it into any competitions, you might like to consider opening it to the public. This is a brilliant way to show off your hard work and in some cases raise money for charity without the pressures of competing.

Speak to us about your garden project

With our experience spanning over two decades, we are passionate and committed to creating the most beautiful outdoor spaces for our customers, whatever their budget. We will work alongside you to transform your ideas into a reality and give you an award-winning garden that will stop people in their tracks.

If you would like to speak to us about our landscaping services contact us today.