#LE1031 Esme's Garden Blueprint

Hello Esme, your Garden Blueprint is here

I'm Sarah, your garden expert

I've been working in horticulture and landscape design for 15+ years. I loved reviewing your garden and crafting a blueprint for you. If you have any questions, click the icon in the bottom right corner for help.

Get started by watching a video I made for you below

Esme, here's my garden assessment

Expert Review

Shape of your garden is ideal for zoning

The elongated shape of your garden is ideal for borders that create zones to maximise the use of space while maintaining a functional, traditional style.

Multi-use space

Your garden is an extension of your home - used for relaxation and entertaining as well as for children playing. It has to combine multiple uses and remain a place of beauty, safety and relaxation.

North-west facing garden

You garden typically won't receive as much sunlight as it'll tend to be in the shade as the house is usually blocking the sun. However, over the summer (May to October) you will get a good amount of afternoon and evening sun. Your garden orientation will mean that the right hand side may struggle with the shade, making grass harder to grow and making this area prone to getting waterlogged.

Your soil conditions

With slightly acidic, loamy and clayey soils, you might find some areas of your garden have impeded drainage. The great news is your soil is likely to have high fertility which can support a diverse array of plants.

Esme's Garden Vision

  • Living screens

    You envision a garden that the whole family can enjoy and take pride in. Your plan includes using thoughtfully placed plants to create natural "living screens." These green barriers will elegantly conceal the children's play equipment, blending functionality with beauty to ensure every corner of your garden is both useful and visually appealing.

  • Your garden vision

    Esme, you see your garden as a versatile extension of your home, blending comfort, nature and play. You aim to create a space that's not only safe for children and pets to explore but also a retreat for relaxation and enjoyment. You'd like your garden to integrate seamlessly with your home and serve as the perfect backdrop for entertaining, as well as being a haven for local wildlife too.

  • Safe for children and pets

    You want a garden where safety comes first, a place where your children and pets can play without any worries. We've chosen non-toxic plants and safe design features to ensure peace of mind for you.

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Tips and design principles

How to create your traditional garden

Designing a traditional garden in a long, narrow, north-west-facing space involves incorporating classic design elements to enhance both the beauty and functionality of the area.

Creating distinctive zones using segmenting decorative borders will enhance your space. Embrace the garden’s elongated shape by arranging these zones in a way that maximises the available light and space, ensuring each area is both inviting and well-defined.

One practical yet aesthetically pleasing approach is to use lush, dense planting to form natural screens. These living barriers are perfect for discreetly concealing children's play areas, integrating them seamlessly into your garden's overall design.

Using shrubs and tall perennials that align with the traditional style, will create an orderly yet inviting feel.

You can strategically arrange these planted screens along with open areas to make the most of your garden’s north-west orientation, optimising afternoon light while ensuring each section is well-defined and welcoming. This thoughtful layout allows you to enjoy both the functional aspects of a family-friendly garden and the charming aesthetics of traditional garden design.

Esme, I recommend:

Using Plant Screening for discreet play areas

Use density and height: Incorporate dense, bushy shrubs or tall grasses to create natural screens that integrate children's play equipment into the garden without disrupting its traditional style.

Thrive and cover: Utilising plants that not only thrive in your garden’s conditions but also provide sufficient coverage and strategically placing them around the perimeter of play areas will maintains the garden’s aesthetic while ensuring it remains functional and safe for children to play.

Esme, I recommend:

Enhancing depth and privacy through strategic planting and colour placement

Layering plants for visual depth: Begin with low-growing plants at the front border to keep views open and welcoming. Progress to mid-height plants in the middle of the garden to add depth. At the back border, place taller plants to provide privacy and draw the eye upward, enhancing the sense of space.

Vertical growth for added height: Utilise climbing plants like roses or ivy on trellises to maximise vertical space, adding another layer of beauty and depth.

Strategic Colour Use: Employ lighter colours at the garden's end to visually enlarge the space. Use darker colours near the front to create a sense of depth, making your garden feel more intimate and structured.

Esme, I recommend:

Designing your traditional garden in a narrow space

Create zones with curved borders: Use lush plants and soft curves to define cozy areas for dining, relaxing, and entertainment.

Connect with winding paths: Enhance charm with meandering paths of brick or flagstone, linking different garden zones smoothly.

Functionally tailored areas: Equip each zone according to its use; like a small pergola in the entertainment area.

Expert Tips: add personal touches

  • Try adding functional and decorative elements

    Tip: Enhance your traditional style garden with functional decor such as rustic benches, antique-looking plant stands, or Victorian-style trellises. These pieces provide utility while beautifying the space, marrying practicality with the old-world charm characteristic of traditional gardens, and reflecting your unique aesthetic preferences.

  • You can use lighting creatively

    Tip: Enhance the ambience of your garden at night with tasteful lighting solutions. Install lantern-style lights to illuminate pathways or use soft spotlights to highlight traditional sculptures and planting features. Proper lighting not only accentuates the beauty of traditional designs but adds functionality and a warm glow to evening gatherings.

  • Consider wildlife-friendly features

    Tip: Consider adding features that attract wildlife, such as bird baths, insect hotels, and classic bird feeders. Choose designs that complement the traditional style of your garden. Encouraging wildlife not only enhances the garden's natural appeal but also helps in creating a lively and vibrant outdoor space.

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About your flower bed:

  • Skill Level

    Easy

  • Plants

    x 18

  • Season

    All Year Round

  • Colours

    White, Green & Yellow

  • Safe

    Whole Family

  • Guarantee

    5 Years

  • Value

    Worth £388*

  • Finest plants

    4.8 ★★★★★

Key features:

  • ✔️ Creates distinct garden zones

    I've created 3 distinct zones - relaxation, entertaining and play - to make the most of your long rectangular garden.

  • ✔️ Safe for children

    With this design you can maintain sight of children when playing for safety, but not see the trampoline.

  • ✔️ Improved visual impact

    Screening borders have height and density closest to the trampoline to hide it from sight, and lessen it's visual impact.

  • ✔️ Designed to work with your garden shape

    Curved borders on the left-side break up the rectangular shape of your garden.

  • ✔️ Can be customised further

    Consider sinking trampoline into ground to lessen its visual impact and optionally remove cage once sunk in ground to make it disappear!

  • ✔️ Plants chosen to thrive

    My favourite part of your bespoke design is making sure every plant is perfect for your garden, suited to your loamy soil, sun and shade, and easy-care. No faff.

Now Unlock Your Dream Garden

Esme, effortlessly bring your Garden Blueprint to life. Choose from three personalised ways to transform your garden:

Little Eden Gardens

Esme's Border-in-a-Box (Border A)

Your Complete Garden Solution

Save £96 compared to buying your 18 plants from online plant retailers*

£293.00
£325.00 £293.00
Limited Offer Sold out
Delivery calculated at checkout.

Effortlessly transform your outdoor space with our Garden-in-a-Box. Personalised to you and designed to create your perfect garden, this kit is expertly tailored to fit your style and specific garden conditions.

Each box includes:

- 18 Mature Plants: Handpicked by our experts, these aren't your typical small 1L plants. Our mature, high-quality selections establish faster and come with our 5-year plant guarantee.

- Expert-Selected, Personalised Plants: Pet and child-safe plants selected to excel in your garden's environment and attract wildlife.

- Comprehensive Support: Personalised expert advice and high-quality fertiliser included, ensuring your garden’s success.

- Innovative and Easy: Includes a Planting Kit (worth £60) with a planting guide, care calendar, and an easy-to-follow, biodegradable 'plant-by-numbers' layout.

  • 3m x 1.5m (per border) Flower Bed
  • Includes 18 Plants
  • Plant-Safe Delivery
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*Based on the average price of the three leading online plant retailers in the UK.

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Your Garden-in-a-Box includes:

  • 5 x

    Tall, dense, backdrop plants

  • 3 x

    Evergreen white flowered shrubs

  • 4 x

    Shrubs with year-round interest

  • 4 x

    Compact and evergreen plants

  • 2 x

    Winter-flowering plants

  • 1 x

    Biodegradable Plant-by-Numbers

  • 1 x

    Simple Planting Guide

  • Included

    Easy Plant Care & Advice

  • 1 x bag

    Organic Fertiliser

  • ...

    and some surprises!

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Little Eden Gardens

Esme's Plant-by-Numbers Kit (Border A)

Your Easy Garden Solution

£60.00
£60.00
Limited Offer Sold out
Delivery calculated at checkout.

The low-cost way to effortlessly create your bespoke flower bed, expertly designed to guide you every step of the way. This kit is tailored to you and includes:

Your Plant-by-Numbers Kit does not include any plants.

Planting Guide: Simple, step-by-step instructions for the perfect layout

Plant List: An expert-crafted list of 18 plants to bring your garden to life. Your personalised plant list ensures each plant is just right for your garden’s conditions.

Care Calendar: Keep your garden vibrant all year with personalised care tips

Biodegradable Design: Our eco-friendly guide shows exactly where to plant, making setup a breeze.

Plus, your own Little Eden trowel and some surprises!

  • 3m x 1.5m (per border) Flower Bed
  • Your Bespoke Design
  • You Supply Plants
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