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Kent Downs Country Garden

A raised planter and pond create places to stop on the journey to the pergola in the corner

The Old Fire Station, St Margarets at Cliffe

A water table creates a wow focal point

Contemporary Meditteranean Garden Chestfield, Kent

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Gravel Garden Design at Elmley Nature Reserve

Views of the paths and planting

Town Garden, Faversham

Large family garden in Gravesend, Kent

Oast House Family Garden – Gravesend

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Flowers come and go. Structure stays.

When I’m designing a planting scheme, I’m always thinking...

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A complete garden transformation can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to happen all at...

It might feel far too early to be thinking about spring, but now is actually the best time to order your bulbs. The most sought-after varieties do sell out, so planning ahead gives you the best choice and means you're ready to plant when autumn arrives. Whether you love natural drifts of snowdrops, vibrant ribbons of tulips, cheerful daffodils, or delicate camassias and alliums weaving through your borders, planning now gives you the best choice of varieties before they sell out. My favourite suppliers are @farmergracy and @jparkersbulbs , both of whom offer an excellent range of high-quality bulbs. If you're not sure what to choose or how to incorporate bulbs into your borders, I also offer a bespoke bulb planting package. Together, we can create a scheme that complements your garden and brings months of beautiful spring colour. Get in touch if you'd like to find out more. #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign #SpringBulbs #BulbPlanting #GardenDesign #PlantingDesign #KentGardens #SpringGarden #GardenInspiration
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It might feel far too early to be thinking about spring, but now is actually...

Last week I revisited one of my projects in Cranbrook, Kent, and I'm so excited that it's finally moving forward. The project has been on hold while the building work was completed, so it was wonderful to return and see the beautifully renovated old grain store, which is currently being converted. The garden is still very much a blank canvas, but the setting is absolutely stunning and full of potential. It's a large space with some exciting opportunities to create a garden that complements the character of the buildings and sits comfortably within its beautiful countryside setting. This long-awaited project is finally about to begin, and I can't wait to share the journey with you. Garden Design • Country Garden • Oast House • Garden Transformation • Landscape Design • Cranbrook Kent • Garden Planning • Outdoor Living • Kent Garden Designer • New Garden Project #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign #Cranbrook #GardenTransformation #GrainStoreConversion
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Last week I revisited one of my projects in Cranbrook, Kent, and I'm so excited...

How do you create a kitchen garden that's both highly productive and a pleasure to spend time in? That's exactly the brief I was given for this beautiful farm in Lynsted, Kent. The design centres around a stunning Victorian-style greenhouse, with raised beds for growing fruit, vegetables and cut flowers, alongside elegant fruit cages, water troughs and carefully considered pathways to make the space both practical and enjoyable to use. For me, a kitchen garden should be every bit as beautiful as it is functional. It should be a place where you want to spend time, harvesting, pottering, growing and enjoying the changing seasons. These 3D visuals are helping to bring the design to life before work begins, and I can't wait to see this one become a reality. Watch this space... this is going to be a very special project. Kitchen Garden • Productive Garden • Victorian Greenhouse • Raised Beds • Garden Design • Fruit and Vegetable Garden • Cut Flower Garden • Garden Planning • Outdoor Living • Kent Garden Designer #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign #KitchenGarden #GardenDesign
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How do you create a kitchen garden that's both highly productive and a pleasure to...

Do you remember this garden in Sheldwich, Kent? I recently revisited it and shared some photos of how beautifully it has matured. If you missed them, take a look back through my recent posts. The exciting news is that we're about to start Phase Two of the project! One of the things I love most about working in phases is that it allows a garden to evolve over time. We can see what's working well, build on the original design and continue creating a space that grows with the client's needs. The garden is already looking beautiful, but I have some exciting ideas for the next stage and can't wait to get started. Watch this space... the transformation continues. Garden Design • Sheldwich Kent • Garden Transformation • Planting Design • Phased Garden Design • Country Garden • Outdoor Living • Garden Planning • Kent Garden Designer • Garden Inspiration #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign #GardenDesign #SheldwichKent #GardenTransformation #PlantingDesign
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Do you remember this garden in Sheldwich, Kent? I recently revisited it and shared some...

With Kent now under a hosepipe ban, I thought I'd share a few simple tips that will make a real difference to your garden. Water deeply, not little and often. A thorough soak encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, making plants stronger and more resilient. Light watering only wets the surface, encouraging shallow roots. Focus on one area at a time. Rather than lightly watering the whole garden, choose a bed or border and give it a really good soak before moving on to the next area another day. Water the roots, not the leaves. Aim the water at the base of the plant where it's needed most. Prioritise the right plants. Newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials should always come before the lawn. Lawns are surprisingly resilient and will usually recover when the rain returns. Water early or late. The best time is early morning or late evening, when temperatures are cooler and less water is lost through evaporation. Planning a new garden? Many of my clients now choose drip irrigation or leaky hose systems. They deliver water slowly and directly to the roots, are highly efficient and, depending on your local water company's restrictions, may still be permitted during a hosepipe ban. A little thought about how you water can make a huge difference to the health and resilience of your garden. #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign #WateringYourGarden
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With Kent now under a hosepipe ban, I thought I'd share a few simple tips...

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Last week I was back at @elmleynature but this visit was a little different...

I...

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Last week I had the pleasure of revisiting this beautiful garden in Hastingleigh, nestled in...

A garden shouldn't only look good in June. One of the biggest challenges in garden design is creating interest throughout the entire year, not just for a few weeks when everything is in flower. That's why a garden design plan is so important. Every plant, shrub and tree is selected not only for how it looks today, but for the role it plays across the seasons. Winter structure, spring growth, summer colour and autumn texture all need to work together. For these clients, it was also important to retain some existing shrubs they loved, proving that a new garden doesn't always mean starting from scratch. "We highly recommend Catriona... She did a fantastic job designing a beautiful garden with interest all year round, even incorporating in the design some shrubs that we already had in our garden and wanted to keep. This year the garden is looking lovely as the plants are all thriving. We are delighted and can't wait to see what it looks like next year." If you're finding that your garden only shines for part of the year, it may be worth stepping back and looking at the bigger picture. #GardenDesignerKent #KentGardens #ClientTestimonial
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A garden shouldn't only look good in June.

One of the biggest challenges in garden...

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Confession time...

If you tell me you want skinny borders, I’m probably going to try...

With another heatwave upon us, many gardeners are starting to think about drought tolerance and how their gardens cope when the rain disappears. This is where gravel gardens come into their own. A well-designed gravel garden can look beautiful while helping plants thrive in hot, dry conditions. The gravel helps retain moisture in the soil, reduces weed growth and creates the free-draining conditions that many Mediterranean and drought-tolerant plants love. And before you picture a garden full of stones, the plants are still the stars of the show. Think grasses swaying in the breeze, clouds of flowers, interesting textures and year-round structure. The gravel simply provides the perfect backdrop. Many clients are also looking to reduce the amount of lawn in their gardens. During periods of hot weather, lawns can require significant watering to stay green and healthy, while gravel gardens continue to perform with far less intervention. As our summers become hotter and drier, gravel gardens are becoming an increasingly practical and attractive option for many gardens. #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign #UKHeatwave #GravelGardens #GardenDesign
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With another heatwave upon us, many gardeners are starting to think about drought tolerance and...

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Not every day as a garden designer is spent outdoors.

Yes, there are lots of...

What I love and hate equally about Pinterest... It's brilliant for inspiration, but it can also make garden design feel even more overwhelming. You start by saving a few pictures and before you know it, you've got 100 different gardens and no idea which direction to take your own. And then there's AI. More and more of the beautiful gardens appearing on Pinterest aren't real gardens at all. They're AI-generated images, often showing plants growing in impossible places, unrealistic proportions or combinations that simply wouldn't work in real life. Visualising a garden is hard enough without trying to recreate something that doesn't actually exist. Having someone look at your space with fresh eyes can be so valuable. During my garden consultations, we look at the structure, flow and planting, helping you create a clear plan that works for your garden, budget and lifestyle. And remember, you don't have to tackle everything at once. Some of the best transformations start with a single border or one area of the garden. If you're feeling stuck, send me a DM and let's chat about your garden. P.S. Can you tell which of these 2 garden pictures is real and which is AI-generated? Let me know in the comments. #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign #KentGardenDesigner
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What I love and hate equally about Pinterest...

It's brilliant for inspiration, but it can...

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Every garden has a story. This one just happens to have two.

I’m so excited...

If you have a new build garden, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed. Many people move into a new home, dig their first planting hole and discover compacted soil, builders’ rubble or ground that looks far from ideal. It’s easy to assume that nothing will ever grow well there. The good news is that poor soil doesn’t have to stay poor. Healthy gardens start below ground. Before focusing on the plants themselves, it’s worth investing time in improving the soil. Mulching and the no dig approach can make a huge difference, helping to build soil structure, improve moisture retention and encourage the beneficial microorganisms that plants rely on. That’s one of the reasons I always take soil samples during my design consultations. Understanding the soil is a crucial part of creating a planting scheme that will thrive. There’s little point choosing beautiful plants if the conditions aren’t right for them to succeed. I find soil fascinating. Beneath the surface is a whole ecosystem working away to support your garden. The healthier the soil, the healthier and more resilient your plants will be. When I work with clients on gardens, we don’t just think about how the garden will look. We think about creating the right conditions for plants to thrive for years to come. A beautiful garden starts from the ground up. #SoilTesting #GardenDesign #KentGardenDesigner #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign
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If you have a new build garden, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed.

Many people move...

Garden features don't always have to be large statement pieces. Sometimes it's the collection of carefully chosen elements throughout a garden that creates interest, personality and a sense of discovery. In this Charing Heath garden, we incorporated several focal points. Sculptural metal forms add height and drama against the brick wall, a textured metal seed-head sculpture creates interest close to the house, while playful hare sculptures peek out from the planting, rewarding those who take the time to look a little closer. These features help lead your eye through the garden and create moments of surprise and delight. They also provide year-round interest, particularly during the winter months when flowers and foliage are less prominent. When designing a garden, I often think about where the eye will travel. What will catch your attention from the house? What will draw you down a path? What details will reveal themselves as you move through the space? Plants are often the stars of the show, but thoughtfully placed features can help tell the story and give a garden its own unique character. The best gardens don't reveal everything at once. They invite you to keep looking. Garden Features | Garden Design | Garden Sculpture | Charing Heath Garden | Garden Inspiration | Kent Garden Designer | Garden Details | Planting Design #KentGardens #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign
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Garden features don't always have to be large statement pieces.

Sometimes it's the collection of...

One of the joys of being a garden designer is that you never stop learning. Today I had the pleasure of visiting Simon Richards' award-winning garden in Folkestone. This wasn't my project and I can take absolutely no credit for it. I was there purely for research, inspiration and the simple joy of spending time in a beautiful garden with a friend. It's easy to see why Simon's garden won BBC Gardeners' World Magazine's Garden of the Year. What was once a traditional lawn-dominated garden has been transformed into a stunning gravel garden inspired by the work of Beth Chatto. The planting is naturalistic, drought-tolerant and full of movement, texture and seasonal interest. What makes this garden particularly relevant for us here in Kent is that it responds so beautifully to the challenges many of us are facing. We are seeing hotter summers, longer dry spells and increasing pressure on water resources. Gardens that can thrive with less irrigation are becoming more important than ever. Rather than fighting the conditions, Simon has embraced them, creating a landscape that is both beautiful and resilient. The judges praised its structure, ecology and planting, but what struck me most was how relaxed and natural it felt. It is a garden that works with nature rather than against it, and that's something I think many of us can learn from. Days like this are a reminder that inspiration is everywhere. Sometimes the best thing a designer can do is step away from the drawing board and spend time experiencing great gardens firsthand. Thank you, Simon, for sharing your garden. @simessimondii @gardenersworldmag Garden Design | Gravel Garden | Drought Tolerant Planting | Kent Gardens | Sustainable Gardening | Water Wise Garden | Climate Resilient Garden | Garden Inspiration | Naturalistic Planting | Folkestone Garden #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign
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One of the joys of being a garden designer is that you never stop learning....

If you saw my stories last week, you'll know I was rather excited about revisiting a garden I designed a few years ago here in my village, Sheldwich in Kent. A friend who helps care for the garden sent me a message last week saying, "You have to come and see it, it's looking amazing!" She wasn't wrong. Returning to a garden is always a privilege. As designers, we spend so much time planning, drawing and imagining how a space will look and feel, but gardens are never really finished. They grow, mature and evolve over time. Walking around this garden last weekend, I was genuinely blown away by how beautiful it has become. The planting has knitted together, the layers are working exactly as intended, and every turn offers something different to enjoy. These are just a few of the pictures I took during my visit. Seeing all that planning, hard work and patience come to fruition fills me with such pride and joy. It also serves as a reminder that some of the best gardens aren't instant. They develop year by year, becoming richer and more beautiful with time. A huge thank you to my client for trusting me with their garden, and to my wonderful gardener friend who encouraged me to come back and see it at its best. Garden Design | Sheldwich Garden | Kent Garden Designer | Mature Garden | Planting Design | Garden Transformation | Established Planting | Seasonal Interest | Landscape Design | Garden Inspiration | Outdoor Living | Garden Planning | Cottage Garden Style | Beautiful Gardens | Kent Gardens #CatrionaStilesGardenDesign #Sheldwich #KentGardens
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If you saw my stories last week, you'll know I was rather excited about revisiting...

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After a week of heat, busy schedules and constantly being on the go, I hope...

I have a real soft spot for “problem” gardens. Slopes. Split levels. Awkward layouts. Spaces that make people say “We just don’t know what to do with it.” They’re often the gardens people avoid because they feel too complicated, but they’re usually the ones with the most potential. This garden had already been designed and landscaped before, but something still wasn’t quite working. Can you spot the issue with the pergola? From inside the house, the view felt completely disconnected from the garden. A series of strong horizontal lines sat right at eye level when seated indoors, blocking the connection between house and garden. Not ideal, especially in the UK, when we spend so much of the year appreciating our gardens from inside. Perhaps not now in the heatwave! This is exactly why thoughtful garden design matters. It’s not just about choosing materials or planting schemes, it’s about working in 3D, understanding levels and designing from every viewpoint. Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come from solving the problems other people can’t quite see. Problem Gardens | Split Level Gardens | Sloping Gardens | Garden Design | 3D Design | Garden Planning | Awkward Spaces | Garden Views | Outdoor Living | Kent Garden Designer #CatrionalStilesGardenDesign
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I have a real soft spot for “problem” gardens.

Slopes. Split levels. Awkward layouts. Spaces...

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What do you do with a converted fire station with a garden full of astroturf?...

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Wondering what it’s actually like to work with me?

In this video, I’m talking you...

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When my client in Chestfield, near Whitstable first contacted me, she felt completely overwhelmed by...

Helping to plant at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is always an incredible experience and a big opportunity for me to learn. It brings together some of the most skilled designers, landscapers, gardeners and plantspeople in the industry, and every year I come away so inspired. I’m always in awe of the new plants I discover, the creativity behind each design and the sheer dedication it takes to bring these gardens to life in such a short space of time. Especially this year, with hail, rain and thunderstorms thrown into the mix!! These gardens often feel more like works of art than gardens, with so much thought in every detail. If you ever get the chance to visit Chelsea, take your time. Pause. Look closely at the planting combinations, the materials and the craftsmanship behind each space. And remember, while these gardens are designed to inspire, many of the ideas can be translated into real gardens in practical ways. @the_rhs @theplantingdesigncollective @plantheritage @crowton_rowarth_ltd Chelsea Flower Show | Garden Inspiration | Planting Design | Garden Design | RHS Chelsea | Landscape Design | Plant Lovers | Garden Creativity | Kent Garden Designer | Planting Inspiration
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Helping to plant at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is always an incredible experience and...

Reviews like this mean such a lot (slide across). Not just because someone has taken the time to write them, but because this captures exactly what I hope clients feel throughout the design process. Many people come to me feeling stuck. They know their garden isn’t working, but they can’t quite see the solution, especially when the space comes with a few challenges. That might be a small footprint, awkward layout, levels, privacy issues or simply not knowing what plants and materials will work best. My role is to bring fresh ideas, practical solutions and creative thinking, while making the process feel enjoyable and collaborative. And ultimately, creating a garden you genuinely want to step into and spend time in. That last line was my favourite part of this review. Because that’s really what good garden design should do. Thank you to my lovely client for taking the time to share this. Garden Design | Client Review | Small Garden Design | Problem Gardens | Garden Transformation | Outdoor Living | Garden Planning | Kent Garden Designer | Planting Design | Garden Inspiration
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Reviews like this mean such a lot (slide across). Not just because someone has taken...

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Most people come to me because something about their garden just isn’t quite working.

Sometimes...

Should you paint your fence or not? It’s a query for lots of people including me. I love that black makes a fence disappear and creates a pop of colour in front. But if you aren’t sure you can lose your fence with greenery. It will take a little patience but with a mix of climbers you can have green boundaries with flowers and fragrance.
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Should you paint your fence or not? It’s a query for lots of people including...

A glorious spring morning visiting an National Open Garden. So many lovely and different plants. A few may have made it home with me… @swallowfieldsnursery
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A glorious spring morning visiting an National Open Garden. So many lovely and different plants....

There is something special about plants that evoke memories or are a reminder of someone. In today’s garden we incorporated dahlias that the client had nutured and brought from their previous garden. So special to include family memories from one space to the next. Back at home my first Angelica Gigas is about to flower. The seed kindly sent to me by @thegardentaylor taking me back to three years ago helping with her beautiful Chelsea Garden. This is the human element to garden design: bringing together design and emotional connection.
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There is something special about plants that evoke memories or are a reminder of someone....

Not sure about your spring flowers? Its a really good time to evaluate your bulbs now so you can remember in the summer. I inherited these red tulips when I moved here. They have naturalised the border, now some of them reverting to yellow. I'm not a fan of red and yellow, to be honest red was never in the plan but its easier to go with nature. So my plan? I'm going to put some dark purple tulips in the midst of these this winter. So squirrel permitting it will harmonise the display with the rest of the garden. #tulips #gardenplanning
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Not sure about your spring flowers? Its a really good time to evaluate your bulbs...

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Catching the blossom in this newly evolved garden a few weeks ago. Really enjoyed taking...

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Being professional is key to my garden design business. Collaborating with high quality companies like...

A revisit to this small garden in Faversham today. This was planted up in November last year and the plants are settling in well. The client had downsized to the town, lost her beautiful garden and inherited this one. Swipe right to see the before pictures but it was a patch of mainly weeds, rotting fencing and a path taking you through the middle. Now with new fencing, with gate to the side, two seating areas have been created in the idyll. The raised beds bringing planting up higher and giving a sense of enclosure. Looking forward to seeing it once fully established. Beautifully built by @hythegardenlandscapes Thanks to @the_truant_gardener for your help Plants by @palmstead
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A revisit to this small garden in Faversham today. This was planted up in November...

If your garden transformation is a large one, sometimes it’s a good idea just to start in one area. It really can depend on your avaliable time and budget. Hard landscaping is the best place to start and is also the most expensive. You can just start with one planting border.
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If your garden transformation is a large one, sometimes it’s a good idea just to...

In terms of pests that visit the garden I have a very laissez faire approach. If something is decimating my poor plants, I will have a go at manually removing them but my main line of defence is the wildlife. By encouraging wildlife into your garden you increase the bio diversity. If you have aphids, in a garden that is diverse, the aphid eaters are going to come. The heros are the ladybirds, hedgehogs, frogs, bettles and birds. If there is no-where in your garden for wildlife to hide and shelter you can end up with an unbalanced climate. So give the wildlife a chance, have patience and relax if you have imperfections in your garden.
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In terms of pests that visit the garden I have a very laissez faire approach....

And so it begins. Thought I’d be disciplined and have only sown a few of what I’m looking to grow. Inspired by Sarah Ravens book on cut flowers I’m sowing flowers to cut and come again. Fingers crossed for lots of gorgeous blooms..
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And so it begins. Thought I’d be disciplined and have only sown a few of...

I’m really pleased to share that my entry in the apl awards received a bronze award… Was amazing to see how high the standard of entry was. My first time at the awards ceremony and great to meet lots of landscapers and designers.
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I’m really pleased to share that my entry in the apl awards received a bronze...

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Getting ready to head to the APL awards tomorrow!
So excited to be a finalist...

March is here and signs of life are the everywhere! Enjoying the sun whilst it’s here ☀️🌷🐞
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March is here and signs of life are the everywhere! Enjoying the sun whilst it’s...

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You know that you want your garden to be more interesting, full of plants that...

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An advantage to having a garden designed is the access to the wholesale nurseries that...

This week @hythegardenlandscapes have started uplifting this garden in Chestfield, Kent. The existing planters are planned to be clad and a new contemporary patio installed to create a destination in this great sized garden. Newly shaped lawns, beds and two new decks will help create the structure to create bones to the garden. Watch this space to see how it turns out in the spring. #gardendesign #houseandgarden #yourgardenmadeperfect #chestfield #whitstable
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This week @hythegardenlandscapes have started uplifting this garden in Chestfield, Kent. The existing planters are...

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#gardendesignideas #howtoapproachyourgarden #gardenplan #couchtocreator

Exciting plans are shaping up for the new garden at @elmleynature. New patios, planting beds, gravel gardens and sculptured hedging will add the natural elements to the amazing building works. New seating nooks and dining spaces, encompassed by drought tolerant planting, will give visitors spaces to relax and enjoy during their visit to the nature reserve. Watch this space to see this one come to fruition this year. #2026plans #gravelgarden #gravelgardens #gravelgardening
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Exciting plans are shaping up for the new garden at @elmleynature. New patios, planting beds,...

In the midst of the rain and cloudy grey clouds I'm dreaming of sun. Beneath the soil the promise of colour, scent and joy is biding its time, waiting for longer days. The garden signals of spring are starting. Bulbs and hellebores catch my sight to egg me into the garden. They remind me that gardening now is an investment in the summer, will provide me with some well needed fresh air and bring perspective. #januarybluesbegone
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In the midst of the rain and cloudy grey clouds I'm dreaming of sun. Beneath...

Always great to get some after pictures from clients. The fourth picture shows this small, tricky shaped garden. We need to work with the path and terracing that was already there. Aside - please think of a garden designer involved for the whole layout, alongside the architect, the design would have been much improved with a blank canvas. The last pic shows the design idea to move the path. By shaping the lawn, adding planting and gravel the garden now has better privacy and feels more like a garden than a driveway. The clients are pleased with the results and have enjoyed their garden in its first summer. Problem shaped garden? Lets see if a fresh set of eyes can help www.catrionastiles.co.uk #gardendesign #houseandgarden #sustainablegardendesign #faversham #gardendesignerkent #gardendesigner #newbuildhouse #kent #gardensolutions
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Always great to get some after pictures from clients. The fourth picture shows this small,...

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Seeing in the new year and celebrating hubby’s birthday with a nights trip to France....

I don’t know where December went! The out of office is on and I’ll be back to design work, hopefully rested and recharged, in the new year. Wishing all a wonderful Christmas. Catriona x
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I don’t know where December went! The out of office is on and I’ll be...

New concepts off the board for this lovely country oast house. The house sits at the base of a hill with amazing views. This design reimagines the patio and planting nearer the house to entice the client to sit, in the midst of mass planting with views to the vines in the distance. The surrounding land will be sculpted and grass terraces to allow a more formal lawn. As the client has amazing sculptures and pots, the design incorporates places to showcase them. Looking forward to seeing this one develop in 2026. #gardendesign #houseandgarden #gardendesigner
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New concepts off the board for this lovely country oast house. The house sits at...

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