Gardens – A Simple Style is Best

A clipped yew hedge and a single classical urn planted with geraniums create a strong focal point and demonstrate how simple structure can transform even a modest garden

As a child I vividly remember being taken to nurseries which sold nothing but plants. Such afternoons wandering up and down endless rows of greenery seemed rather boring to me, but clearly gave my mother – who was a very keen gardener – enormous pleasure, frequently loading plants into my arms before rushing home to plant them immediately.

She also had a rather frustrating  habit of starting to cook dinner and then disappearing into the garden to attend to something she obviously considered to be far more urgent, resulting in the family often having to endure rather overcooked food!  Nevertheless, her enthusiasm left a lasting impression on me and instilled a lifelong love of gardens and gardening.  For me one of the greatest pleasures in life is spending time looking at gardens – however large or small – and learning from the styles and ideas of others.   

Since those far-off days, there has been an explosion of ‘garden centres’, offering everything imaginable for outdoor living:  from gnomes to water features to furniture, mirrors and decking.  The list goes on, and it is a major business. Whilst every approach to garden-making and design has its merits, I have often seen gardens which are so cluttered that the planting seems to be secondary. This over-indulgence in garden accoutrements seems to me that people are buying gardens, rather than creating them! 

In truth, a limited budget combined with thoughtful, simple planting can just as effectively result in a stylish green space which is not only restful on the eye, but will serve you just as well.

Gardening can be demanding, and whilst the results of one’s efforts can indeed be a large, well stocked and delightful herbaceous border, it requires skill and hard work to maintain.  And if you lack both of these attributes then go for the simple easy option.  A sense of space and vision can be very easy to achieve, and even the typical oblong suburban garden can be transformed.

A lawn framed by a yew hedge, with a stone urn or classical figure as a focal point can look stunning. Salerooms frequently have such items and although they can be expensive, it is almost certainly a good investment and can be cheaper than decking and add considerably more character!  

If your budget doesn’t extend to statues or urns, however, then a large terracotta pot planted generously with red geraniums can be equally effective. A well-tended lawn, the dark green of yew and the bright red of geraniums will not only provide a dramatic view from your house, but will leave your guests wondering what golden acres lie beyond the hedge!