Ready for Spring: Five Elegant Ways to Make the Most of Your Garden This Year

There’s something magical about this time of year—just before the garden bursts into life—when you can set the stage for a space that is both stylish and wonderfully functional for family living.

If you’re looking for inspiration on how to enhance your garden this season, here are five considered ways to create a space that not only looks beautiful but truly works for you and your family.

1. Take a Thoughtful Look at Your Garden

Before the growing season takes hold, take a moment to reflect on how your garden works for you. Is there a corner that feels unloved? A space that could be so much more? Consider how your family uses the garden today—and how you’d love to enjoy it in the future. Perhaps you’d like a tranquil spot for morning coffee, or a space for the children to explore nature. Look to the long term: which materials will weather beautifully, which plants will thrive year after year? Choose one key improvement to focus on this year, and put a thoughtful plan in place. If you’re dreaming of something more ambitious, I’d be delighted to guide you through the possibilities.

Naturalistic planting catches the evening light.

2. Be a Savvy Plant Buyer

It’s easy to underestimate how much planting can cost, especially when you want instant impact. One of my favourite insider tips is to make the most of bare-root season. Until early April, you can source beautiful shrubs, hedging, roses, and certain perennials at up to 50% less than their potted counterparts. These plants establish quickly and are an excellent choice for larger projects. We regularly help our clients source plants close to trade prices through trusted wholesale growers—saving both time and significant expense, without compromising on quality. You can find out more about using bare root plants from the RHS by clicking here.

3. Create a Destination Within Your Garden

Every garden, no matter its size, should entice you to step outside. Whether it’s a serene seating area, a productive kitchen garden, or even a charming smallholding, there should be a destination that draws you in and encourages you to spend time there. A space like this should be immersive, elegant, and entirely personal to your family’s lifestyle. With careful design, these areas can become the heart of the garden—a place to gather, relax, or simply enjoy the view. If you’re seeking to create something truly special, we can help bring your vision to life.

4. Design for Nature and for Yourself

Many of us are striving to create gardens that are both environmentally conscious and visually stunning. However, it’s easy to be led by trends that don’t always suit real family life. For instance, ‘No Mow May’ has left many of my clients wrestling with unruly lawns! Instead, I often recommend integrating dedicated meadow areas into the garden—spaces where wildflowers can flourish, providing beauty and vital habitats for wildlife. Balance these looser, natural areas with more structured elements for a design that feels considered yet effortless. This balance is something we regularly help our clients achieve, ensuring gardens are as functional as they are enchanting. You can get further sensible advice on No Mow May here.

Wild grass meadow on the Weald of Kent with oxeye daisies.

5. If You Do Just One Thing—Plant a Tree

There’s always room for a tree, even in the most compact garden. A carefully chosen tree adds structure, beauty, and a sense of legacy—it will grow alongside your family and offer year-round interest. Trees support wildlife, create shade, and add height and drama to your garden design. The key is in selecting the right species and ensuring it’s placed perfectly. (And, I must gently insist—never a Cypress!) We offer expert guidance on tree selection and can consult specialist arboriculturists to help you make an investment that lasts a lifetime.

You can learn more about how to get the best from your home and garden at our co-hosted podcast, The Designed Life, which you can watch here.

Ancient oak tree set in meadow in the Weald of Kent.