Garden design
Inspiration, ideas and everything you need to know about garden design from the gardening experts
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
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.
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
How to care for your teak garden furniture
If you already have teak garden furniture, or you are considering buying teak for your outdoor space, here’s how to look after this attractive hardwood
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.
What's new?
Corpus Christi College to get new garden design from expert Jo Thompson
Jo Thompson is set to start a new garden design project at Corpus Christi college Cambridge
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.
The top garden trends for 2025: here's what to expect for the coming year
Designer Stefano Marinaz highlights the key trends we can expect for 2025 in gardening and horticulture
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
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
Front gardens
Ideas, tricks and inspiration for your front garden from the garden design experts
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
The best trees for front gardens
Choosing the right tree for a front garden can be tricky but there are advantages and countless pleasures that can be had if you choose your tree carefully.
Hard landscaping
Everything you need to know about hard landscaping in the garden
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.
How to grow a sustainable garden
Growing a sustainable garden that stands the test of time is key to a flourishing ecosystem and a garden that lasts, says designer Marian Boswall
Garden water feature ideas: expert tips for using water in the garden
Water brings magic to the garden, says designer Matt Keightley, adding movement and sound to muffle unwelcome noise
Garden design resources
Our hub of all the design resources you need to make your garden into the garden you want
Make your own floral advent calendar
Gardens Illustrated has joined together with The Herbarium Project to show you how to make an Advent calendar for Christmas. Words Sonya Patel Ellis and photography Andrew Montgomery
How to design an accessible garden
Garden designer Charlotte Harris shares her experience in practical design, looking at the details that make a garden more accessible
What is soil? You may think you know, but there's a lot going on under your feet
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
Small gardens
Small garden design inspiration, ideas and expert advice. Everything you need to know about designing and planting small gardens
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.
A zero waste garden: this space was completely transformed, without sending anything to landfill
Designer Miria Harris gave herself the challenge of a no-skip, zero-waste project, giving away, recycling or reusing everything in this back garden before transforming it into a space her client could love.
Words: Zia Allaway, Photographs: Rachel Warne
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
Soft landscaping
Learn what you need about planting and soft landscaping in the garden from the experts
Here's what companion planting means and why it can help plants thrive
Ever wondered how companion planting might help your vegetables and deter pests? Here expert grower Matthew Biggs breaks down the companion planting myths and explains how the system works
Best grass seed for your garden
We round up the best grass seed mixes for all types of gardens, including seed for hardwearing lawns, fine lawns and difficult dry or shady spots
Sow a border from scratch
Designer Sam Taylor-Hunt shares his design for a vibrant,
perennial, meadow-style scheme you can sow direct from seed, and explains how to create this exciting new type of planting. Illustration by Hannah McVicar
Garden design solutions
Recommended plants and design inspiration for compact plots
How to enjoy an attractive lawn with less effort
Want a lawn, but don't want the effort of maintaining it? Garden designer Jack Wallington shows how you can have the best of both worlds.
Reducing plastic in your garden and allotment
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
Expert tips for designing a meadow
Garden designer James Alexander-Sinclair gives his advice and tips on how to include a meadow in your garden