Designs for all Seasons
Why?
We believe the seasons are central to great garden design. It’s not just about creating a space that looks good all year round, though that’s something every designer should strive for, but about using the garden as a lens through which to experience nature.
A seasonal garden brings the year to life. It offers early signs of change - the first cherry blossom, the scent and colour of high summer, the turning leaves of a maple and the crisp structure of winter. These moments draw you in, making the garden feel alive and connected to you.
For some, change can feel unwelcome or even unsettling. A garden that works with the shifting seasons can help ease that feeling and make change something to anticipate rather than resist. Spending time outdoors is known to lift mood, making gardens that are accessible and inviting throughout the year especially valuable.
Function is just as important as beauty. Thoughtful design ensures the garden feels usable and welcoming in every season — with sheltered spots, outdoor buildings, and spaces that encourage you to step outside, even on colder days. Productive areas like growing beds or more intimate corners that invite exploration keep the garden engaging and rewarding all year long.
Spring – Renewal and Awakening
Spring brings soft light, fresh growth, and a renewed sense of life. Designing for spring means considering early colour and texture—bulbs, blossom, and emerging foliage that lift the mood and signal change. Clear sightlines from inside the home help draw you outdoors, while well placed paths and sheltered corners invite exploration during cooler days.
Summer – Abundance and Living
Summer is when the garden truly comes into its own - lush, vibrant, and full of life. We design with summer use in mind by integrating shaded seating areas, smooth transitions from house to garden, and planting schemes that offer scent, movement, and colour. Lighting and layout help extend time spent outdoors, supporting relaxation, dining, and gatherings well into the evening.
Autumn – Reflection and Richness
Autumn’s golden tones and quieter energy bring opportunities for reflection and richness. Thoughtful planting ensures lasting interest, with late flowering perennials, textured seed heads, and trees chosen for their autumn colour. We also consider how the garden is viewed from indoors - framing views and creating depth and contrast to enhance the seasonal mood.
Winter – Structure and Stillness
In winter, the garden’s structure takes centre stage. Good design here focuses on form, balance, and materials - evergreens, ornamental grasses, and sculptural elements provide visual interest even in dormancy. Subtle lighting and strong lines guide the eye, while texture and contrast ensure the garden remains engaging, offering a quiet sense of peace and place through the darker months.
