Small spaces, big thinking

Choosing the planting for a small garden can often be harder than for a large one, as every centimetre of space needs to work hard. To help you figure out the best approach, we asked top designers and

Design solutions

The joy of a compact garden is that you’re in it, intimately up close to savour every detail. Small spaces demand clarity. You have to be decisive – ruthless even – about your priorities, as it forces

It’s one thing to achieve exactly the look you want near to the house, but where closely attended planting may peter out, the none-too-small matter of what lies at the end of the property or, indeed,

This once-unwelcoming backyard is now a stunning city space – and with showstopping lighting, it becomes even more magical as the sun fades…

We may have invented the flower border, but planting them remains one of the trickiest things to get right. Charles Quest-Ritson looks at the secrets behind the very best