Inspiring gardens

If you are stuck for ideas and in need of inspiration, be nosy and go take a look at other people’s gardens. A visit to Turn End in Haddenham, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire in the summer provided just such inspiration with its series of tranquil enclosures and different zones each full of gorgeous plants, winding paths, archways and focal points.

Focal points are a great way of adding interest to a garden. You don't need a grand statue to make a statement, as so aptly demonstrated at Turn End where garden art, a pergola, various pots and containers, not forgetting specimen roses, gently vied for the visitor's attention.

We often think of paths as a purely practical way of getting from A to B but a path takes you on a journey, leading the eye round the garden and inviting the visitor to explore what's around the corner. Sometimes, the pay-off can quite simply be a strategically placed garden container as at Turn End. The type of materials used to create the path add to the garden's mood and sense of space. Don't be afraid to mix and match materials as shown here at Turn End with paths in gravel and others in crazy (random) paving.

When creating a wish-list for your own garden don't forget to consider the simple things that will deliver a sense of harmony in your outside space. Sure, hot tubs and firepits all have their place but if the the garden is to work well, the thoughtful direction of a path or position of an archway or pergola create a sense of harmony that goes far beyond the latest garden trends.