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Absolutely glorious Camellia at today’s revisit. This gem of a shrub had been kept in a pot and during the redesign we planted most of the clients plants into beds. The plant is loving the conditions and being in a raised bed we get rewarded from the view at a higher level. When I get asked about low maintenance gardening (the mythical non achievable goal) I do advise to get plants out of pots. Pots require watering and feeding. Something easily missed, forgotten and quickly leads to sad plants. The ground is much more forgiving!
Catchup visit to this garden in Oxshott today. The garden isn’t too far away from bringing the green back in. We have opened the garden out by removing the huge leylandii hedge, carving the slope into terraces and recovering some land that had been inadvertently lost to a neighbour. Watch this space for the photos once it is planted. #garden #gardentransformation #terracegarden
Some update pictures from clients in Aylesham. The hard landscaping is all done - ready for planting in a couple of weeks. This new build property has the corner garden and had been oddly carved out leaving the garden feeling small and the area to the side cut off from the rest of the garden. By introducing a cohesive design there is now flow from one part of the garden to the other. There are seating areas out in the garden for the clients to enjoy the garden. Some new raised planting beds are all set for the family to grow their own fruit and veg. Once the planting goes in overall feel will be softer and with some more privacy.
One of the major rewards of my work is bringing my clients back in touch with their garden. It makes my heart sing to hear them speak passionately about their outdoor spaces, especially when they have been so disconnected and out of love with it before. So pleased to get messages like this. If you are looking to get back in love with your garden I'm currently booking into May for Garden Consultations. Get in touch to find out more www.catrionastiles.co.uk #gardendesign #gardendesigns #gardendesigner #loveyourgarden
Now that we are in spring .. just.. its time to cut back the deciduous grasses and perennials that have been giving structural interest over the winter months. New growth should be popping up all around so don't be frightened to cut right back. If you are really being prepared mulch around your plants with a layer of organic material. This will help suppress the weeds, helps with moisture retention and help the soil microbiome. Busy but enjoyable times in the garden this month! #garden #gardening #gardendesign
Having created the rear garden last year its time for the front garden to get an update. This front garden is mainly grass and some tarmac at the moment. The plan is to update the boundaries with brick walls and railings and increase the opening to get cars in. Planting beds are edged with concrete setts which are also used within the resin bound gravel as a decorative visual aid of where to park, without looking like a car park. All the grass will go and be replaced by drought tolerant planting in a gravel garden type feel. The planting will give a sense of privacy and interest without being high maintenance. #chilslehurst #bromley #frontgarden #frontgardens #gardendrive #gardendesign #gardendesignuk #gardendesigner #kent
Lovely to get some work in progress shots for this garden in Newnham from the clients. The design incorporates some useable areas for the family to entertain. This ground level will provide lots of room and now lets much more light into the house. Lots more terraces to go! #gardendesign #faversham #familygarden #gardendesigner #enjoyyourgarden
This is latest concept design off the board today. This is currently a blank garden, in Queens Park London. The garden room is currently undergoing a makeover (no more blue) and the garden patio and paths have been designed to create organic shapes between the house and garden room. When discussing the brief what came across was a need for a garden with a magical, natural feeling. The grass is gone and the the whole garden will be planted in lush planting, mainly evergreen planting with pops of colour to be seen from viewpoints inside and out. A natural stone water feature will be a lovely focal point and provide ambient noise. This haven in the city will hopefully being built this spring/summer. Excited to see this one come to life. #gardendesign #gardeninspiration #londongarden #gardenidyll #tranquilgarden
I’m pleased to announce that I have been approved as a Garden Designer member of the Association of Professional Landscaper. The association checks all its members to ensure they are working to professional standards. For a long time I have used the association as a way to find professional landscapers to work with my clients. As a professional designer, its great to get recognition from an external body, that my work too, meets the required standards. @apl_news #APL #gardendesign #professional
Happy Valentines Day! Roses are synonyms with romance and bouquets. Hope about planting them in your garden for a longer window of enjoyment! Really easy to grow, look after and with you huge varieties to pick from I wouldn't be without one in a garden. The one is a favourite Scepter'd Isle from David Austin. Repeat flowering, lovely fragrance and a slightly more open form to allow the pollinators to enjoy too. #valentines #valentinesday #ValentinesRoses #valentinesrose #valentinesroses
Upgrading your garden is an investment but one that is not just about giving you a better enjoyment but also to increase the value of your home. Since the lockdowns of Covid 19 gardens have become hot on the desirable list for house buyers. Having a well designed garden will give your house an attraction, above others, and can add value to your property, in the same way as upgrading your bathroom or kitchen. Think of as investing in your outdoor space to complete the overall home. You don't need to do the garden in one hit but having an overall plan will make the garden feel cohesive and sit well with your house. #homeinvestment #GardenUpgrade #gardenupgrade
When the people around you have "traditional" gardens it can be brave to be unconventional. Often our parents and grandparents have established gardens, not our taste, but what we know. If you want something different it can take a leap of faith. You are creative and want to use this skill in your garden. A garden designer can take your ideas and convert them into a plan. With concepts and drawings you can convey to all what you want to achieve. Have confidence in your taste! #gardenstyle #gardendesignuk #gardendesign #gardendesignideas
There is something very magical to me in the art of planting design. The factors of where the plants will be happy, when they will give interest and what will look good together give so much choice. When I'm planting an area I have a plan but often there is a feel for what will be happy together and tweaking on site. There is a leap of faith for clients as I move around pots that look like they have a few sticks in (especially at this time of year). Luckily I'm imagining how they will be at their peak. As someone who enjoys art and occasionally picks up a paintbrush, this way of bringing together colour and texture resonates. The randomness and successional planting of naturalistic planting creates a scape that is so pleasing to the eye. What type of planting do you like? Prairie? Cottage? Formal? Let mw know in the comments. This picture is from a garden in Charing Heath. Many of these plants were in pots and we split them, put them in the ground and let them be. #plantingideas #plantingdesign #plantingstyle #garden
Ever wondered how it feels to work with a garden designer? "I am so delighted with Catriona's bespoke garden design. From our first meeting to the final planting, she listened and completely understood what I was looking for whilst I only had a Pinterest board and a vague notion. Her concept was spot on! I simply could not have done it without her talented eye and understanding. Catriona has transformed a rather dull and uninspired new-build garden into an inviting, curvy space with naturalistic planting, plenty of interest, and, importantly, very low maintenance. I now have a beautiful vista during the colder months and a new, inviting living space for relaxing and entertaining during Spring and Summer. I have no hesitation in recommending Catriona for your garden design project. In the words of Martha Stewart, “If you want to be happy for a year, get married. If you want to be happy for 10 years, get a dog, but if you want to be happy forever, make a garden”.😍😁🤣" Swipe left to see the photos of the transformation of this new build garden. Ready for your garden to give you joy? Pop me a DM to find out more. Landscaping:@hythegardenlandscapes #dover #guston #newgarden #newgarden #newbuild #newbuildhome #newbuildgarden #newbuilduk #gardenideas #gardendesign #gardeninspiration #gardentransformation #clientreview
There was actually a window of sun on Saturday so I took the opportunity to start cutting back the grasses and perennials in the front garden. Absolutely delighted to see the snowdrops, crocus and anemones starting to raise their heads. The hellebores doing a great job of giving a bit of colour. We are nearly at the end of January, I'm so excited to move towards spring! #january #January2025 #januarygarden #spring #springflowers #frontgarden
Lawns, the quintessential English garden feature, can completely change the feel and maintenance requirements of a garden. Some folks feel they need the largest lawn possible, to give the feeling of space. In reality a large lawn, that dominates the garden, makes the boundaries feel closer. Breaking up a lawn gives your eye somewhere to rest, rather than taking your eye straight to the boundaries. It can feel scary to cut up your lawn but it is actually one of the most effective ways at changing your garden. In terms of maintenance, if you are looking to having perfect grass, a lawn can be one of the most high maintenance areas of your garden. Cutting once a week, aerating, fertilising, scarifying, watering… actually makes this a more intensive garden area than planting borders. Are you ready to sacrifice some lawn to make some more planting space? #gardendesign #gardening #yourgardenmadeperfect #gardenborder #familygarden #gardeninspiration #loveyourgarden #kent
When you are looking to update your garden it can be tempting to go straight to a landscaper and ask their thoughts on what do with the space. They will create you a garden but will it have the feel, ambience and views you were hoping for? Most people will engage an architect if they are extending a home. Instructing a garden designer is just as an important step when you are investing in your garden. If you are looking to do more than create a rectangular lawn with borders along the edges, I would highly recommend finding a garden designer, that will collaborate with you, to make your vision clear. Have a look at my website to see if I can help you bring your garden vision to fruition. www.catrionastiles.co.uk #garden #gardendesignideas #gardenproject #favershamkent #gardenideas #gardendesignuk #gardenlove #gardendesign #gardens
Sloping gardens can take some imagination, to resolve the spaces, into a cohesive garden. This garden is being created this year and will give the family entertaining space, play space. views and lovely planting. If you have a sloped area working in 3D is so useful. Using a topographical survey your current garden can be accurately mapped and then designed accordingly. Visit www.catrionastiles.co.uk through the link in the bio to take a look at my design packages. #gardendesignideas #gardendesignuk #favershamkent #gardenproject #garden #gardendesign #gardenideas #gardenstyle #kent #familygarden #faversham
Delighted to get this review in to start the New Year in a positive glow. This garden bed was redesigned and planted up last year. Swipe left to see the after pics. The last pic shows the before. This large bed had been created previously to take up the sloped space. Being honest (and I've had this conversation earlier) this isnt as I would have carved up the space. Take note - its really worth getting a design before spending lots on your garden. I am still working with the clients and have suggested that a new bed with structural tree in the current lawn. The bed had been planted up with a random mix of plants that didnt sit well in the situation. The whole thing had been covered with a weed suppressant fabric and this had created a soil that was anaerobic and the plants that were they were not doing so well. This border was designed to reuse the a lot of the planting and incorporate the trees that were there. The clients had two different visions, one wanted a formal look the other more naturalistic. By creating a low shaped hedge the planting nearest the patio is contained and has a formal evergreen structure. As the the garden leads to the corner it becomes looser with a woodland feel with a seating point immersed in planting and nature. If you are thinking of refreshing your garden, but are not sure where to start, get in touch to see how I can help. #gardendesign #houseandgarden #gardening #yourgardenmadeperfect #beautifulgardens #gardenbeds #gardeninspiration #gardendesignuk #kentdownsaonb #gardendesignideas #kentdowns #kent #charing
Step in 2025 with a garden that brings you joy. Let Catriona Stiles Garden Design work with you to evolve your outdoor space into beautiful garden for all seasons. I take delight in bringing to life gardens that marry your style, contemporary hard landscaping and complimentary planting. Get in touch to book a consultation and secure a design slot for Spring. www.catrionastiles.co.uk #gardendesign #garden #gardenlove #GardenDreams #winterblues #gardendesignideas #gardendesignuk #kentdowns #gardenproject #gardens #favershamkent #kentdownsaonb #canterbury #canterburykent #houseandgarden #gardening #faversham #Garden #yourgardenmadeperfect #familygarden #beautifulgardens #gardeninspiration #loveyourgarden
2025 garden visuals. Phase 1 of this garden should hopefully be created in the spring. The clients will have the overall plan to create over time. This garden, on the edge of Canterbury, will give the clients destinations in the garden and hopefully the wow factor. Get in touch if you would like to book at 2025 design slot.
When you have a sloping garden the actual useful space can be really limited. The clients of this garden ended up not using their garden and found the grass cutting on a slope hard work. This design has given them a great entertaining space, kids play area and reason to get out and use their lovely garden. Love the gabions which are the bones to create levels. Im looking forward to getting some photos of it in the spring when the plants have settled in. Swipe left to see the before. Amazing job by @rngroundworksandlandscaping #gardendesign #garden #gravesend #slopedgarden
A flash back to 2017. Holding it together on the surface just. 3 kids under three. Not sure what the future held for work. Not sure when I was ever going to sleep for more than 4hours at a time. This is when Garden Design came into my mind. Any parent who is up in the wee hours will tell you that these can be dark mentally as well as literally. To keep my brain from being frazzled I would walk through gardens and imagine how they could look. During the day getting out in the garden, even if it was too hand out washing, was that connection to nature to try and bring calm in. Remembering that we fundamentally need to be outside is something I find harder at this time of year. If you get the chance to be outside do take it (this is a good reminder for me too). #getoutside #getoutsideandexplore #winterblues
Are you nervous about upgrading your garden? It's very understandable to feel overwhelmed with where to start, how to get a vision and what the process is. The garden design and landscaping world can seem sometimes aloof and unapproachable. Getting a garden designer, who understands you and your needs, will give you re-assurance during the process and get you the garden you want. If you would like to have a chat to see if I can help alleviate your fears, send me an email to [email protected] I look forward to collaborating with you on your design in 2025. #gardendesign #gardendesignuk #gardendesigner #gardendesignideas #kent #kentdowns
My latest review has come in for a garden that has recently been completed in a town garden in Faversham. We took the bones of what was already in this garden and transformed it into more of Mediterranean feel idyll. By repeating the arch the clients already had and changing the colour the structures work with the garden style. The garden felt long and thin but by creating curves in and out the garden now feels more interesting and there are places to stop to enjoy the garden. The client had a lot of plants already so these were temporarily potted up and then replanted into the new garden, splitting some to get some more. There was an absence of height in the garden so with new structural trees and shrubs there is natural elements at all heights. Scroll to see the before picture. I can't wait to get some better pictures in the spring and see how it develops. Landscaping carried out by @hythegardenlandscapes #faversham #gardendesign #favershamkent #greatclient #reviews #gardens #gardendesignuk #gardenproject #customerreview #customerfeedback #customersatisfaction
Do you have a sloping garden? These are tricky to visualise, especially with 2D drawings. For complex spaces I recommend a topographical survey which then gives me all the ground points of the current garden. I can then see where levels need to come up or down. There is still always an element of seeing where the ground finishes once landscaping is complete. Between my design and collaboration with a professional landscaper you will have a garden that makes the most of the complex slopes you have.
When you look at your garden where is your eye drawn? Is it the shed, fence, a wall?.... Without a journey for your eyes you might be looking at the most uninspiring parts of your garden. Part of good garden design is to provide resting points for your eye. These are focal points. They could be statement plants, sculpture, trees, structures... My design methods incorporate this so you don't have to worry where to place them. If you are looking to evolve your garden in 2025 get in touch to book a consultation. www.catrionastiles.co.uk
Always wonderful to get positive feedback on my design work. This town garden in Faversham is being lovingly transformed into a great family garden. Great to help some lovely clients on their garden evolution. #faversham #favershamkent #greatclient #gardendesign #reviews #kent www.catrionastiles.co.uk
I always design focal points in the garden. More often than not these are sculptural trees and shrubs. This is one of my favourite trees, Arbutus Unedo or the Strawberry Tree. Its evergreen, has a great bark and produces these strawberry looking fruits at the same time as flowering. What's not to love? If you need some help selecting focal point trees or shrubs get in touch to find out more about my plant sourcing service. #gardentrees #kent #bromley #tree
A large lawn flanked with borders can feel daunting to change. There is a very common misconception that large lawns make gardens feel larger but I feel that they miss the joy of interest, journeys and discovery in having a garden. Carving up your lawn with paths and planting can transform the feeling of your outside space. If you are not sure how to go about it we can collaborate, to give you a design that you can work with. Having 3D designs can help you visualise how the garden will look. I offer clients support to work with them through their garden change. If you would like to book a design for 2025 get in touch. #gardenlawns #gardens #gardenstyle #gardeninspiration #kentdowns #kentdownsaonb #gardenideas #gardendesign #gardendesignuk #gardendesignideas #kent
How much does it cost to create a garden? This is an ever changing answer! I've written an article on what factors influence the costs in the garden and give you some rough guidelines so that when you do come to get contractors in, to work on your garden, you know what to expect. https://www.catrionastiles.co.uk/how-much-do-i-need-to-invest-in-the-garden/
Are you a little afraid of how much time a garden could take to maintain? All gardens require maintenance, if you have a garden design or not. How much maintenance you do can really depend on what you expect a garden to look like. The higher expectations the greater the time needed. I love naturalistic planting which is set against sleek hard landscaping. As long there is structure the "messiness" of plants looks beautiful. #gardendesigninspiration #gardendesign #naturalisticgarden #naturalisticplanting #naturalisticgardens #naturalisticplanting #naturalisticplantingdesign #gardendesignerkent #gardendesigner #gardeninspiration #gardenbeds
The previous occupiers of this home clearly spent some time and money on the hard landscaping on this garden. A good demonstration of how a large patio and wall right next to your house do not a garden make. If you are investing in a garden, landscapers will build you whatever you like. It may or may not work. Don't take the gamble with your hard earned cash. A design means that you know what you are going to end up with and how it will work with your home. Its much easier to change a patio on the design board than in your garden. My lovely client is happy for my vision to bring planting nearer the house, removing the horizontal lines of the wall (which is right across the view), creating planting borders and framing the view. Watch this space to see what I come up with. Get in touch if you would like to secure a design spot in 2025. www.catrionastiles.co.uk #garden #gardendesignuk #gardendesignideas #gardendesign #paving #canterburykent #canterbury
My latest review has just come in for a design for a new build home in Aylesford, Kent. This is an odd shaped garden which had been carved into spaces with walls. The new design is a much more organic in shape and heavier on the planting. By creating flow lines through the garden it feels bigger whilst creating seating areas that are immersed in cottage style planting. Looking forward to seeing it come to life. Thank you for the review! Get in touch if you would like a design slot for 2025. www.catrionastiles.co.uk #Aylesford #kent #newbuild #newbuildhome #newbuildhouse #garden #gardenideas #customerreview #customerfeedback #customersatisfaction
A reminder of when the sun was shining earlier in the year. The clients of this garden love their garden and do an amazing job of looking after it. Having caught the planting bug, its a joy to see the plants that they have brought in to add to the design. Love our conversations of what new architectural plants we both want! #contemporarygardendesign #gardendesignuk #gardendesigner #gardendesignideas
What do you look for when selecting a garden designer? Its a very personal decision where you need to feel that you can trust the process to bring you a garden vision that exceeds your expectations. The designer needs to feel they have understood your brief and assessed the site to have the confidence to share with your their ideas (presenting concept designs is still a heart in the mouth moment for me). Finding that right fit is very important, for both parties. My style of design and business is quite methodical. I'm transparent as I can be on fees and timescales. What are you looking for in a garden designer? Let me know in the comments below. #gardendesign #gardendesigner #gardendesignuk
If you are experiencing the delightful Autumn weather, in the same way as we are you, are going to be looking at your paving wet more often. When choosing paving its a great idea to look at in natural light and see what it looks like wet. Tonally I have matched the paving to the indoor flooring to tie the two areas together. During a garden consultation I will discuss material choices with you and work with you to bring the hard surfaces together. Email me at [email protected] to book a consultation (hopefully not in the rain)! Paving shown is Sawn Raj Green Sandstone against an Oak LRV interior floor. #paving #pavinginrain #insideoutside #gardendesign #gardendesignuk #gardendesignideas #kent
At this time of year the garden in just in the cusp of about to show you its bones. Elements in the garden that exist over winter are so important to give you visual interest as well as providing habitat for wildlife. There are three types of winter structure to think about. 1. Are the evergreens, your shrubs and hedges that going to keep giving you green, they have been waiting in the wings, unassumingly in the background but now they will come to the fore. 2. Are elements of the garden with texture and colour, I love trees that have coloured bark and dogwood with its coloured stems. 3. Are your skeletal elements. Plants that are decaying with an architectural quality. Don't be too hasty to cut back! Lots of grasses and perennials look amazingly sculptural, especially when touched by sparkling frost. If you are thinking of uplifting you garden I would really recommend taking some photographs of it in the next couple of months so you can assess if these 3 elements are doing their part in your garden. #autumn #autumn #autumngarden #autumngardening #kent #faversham #canterbury #canterburykent #kentdowns #kentdownsaonb
When should you book your designer and landscaper if you are looking to invest in your garden next year? In my latest post I'll go through the timescales of garden upgrades to give you an idea of when. Spoiler alert! Its not in spring when everyone else does. https://www.catrionastiles.co.uk/how-long-does-it-take-to-transform-a-garden/ #garden #gardeninspiration #gardeninspiration #gardendesignuk #gardendesigner #gardendesignideas
When I work with clients with lots of plants in pots its akin to discovering a sweetie stash. I love taking the plants out, maybe splitting them and adding them with new ones into planting bed. You can almost feel the plants breathing out a sigh of relief. Folk often think that keeping plants in pots is low maintenance but I often find the opposite. Even when its raining pots require watering on a more frequent basis as the roots cant tap into the moisture in the ground. The compost that feeds the plant will only continue to do so for a few months and then you need to drop dress again and feed. Of course there is the right place for a pot but for some plants this will always be a transient home. Do you have some plants looking for their forever home? #plants #plantsofinstagram #plantstagram #gardenlove #gardendesign #gardenideas #gardeninspiration
