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A focal point Olive tree in a round raised planter, flanks the dining area

Large Suburban Garden Design, Chislehurst Kent

New Build Home Garden

New Home Contemporary Garden Transformation

Walled Garden

Walled Country Garden Transformation

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...

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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...

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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...

Winter shouldn’t mean that you are just looking at bare earth. It’s now that the structural bones of your garden really come into play. Seedheads, texture and mixes of yellow, brown and green provide lots of visual interest. Even if it from inside. You never know it may entice you to go out..
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Winter shouldn’t mean that you are just looking at bare earth. It’s now that the...

The latest review for a design has just landed and so gratefully recieved. "From the beginning, us garden novices were so impressed by Catriona's professionalism and knowledge of not only garden design but trying to blend a new structure in the garden with crazy levels all whilst retaining a congruent flow between house and garden. Thank you Catriona, we look forward to working with you again soon." This Canterbury garden will be created after the house and garage will be extended. So good to get involved at this part of the project. #canterbury #kent #gardendesigner #gardeninspiration
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The latest review for a design has just landed and so gratefully recieved.

"From the...

I thought it would be a good time for a reintroduction for those who are new to me and my garden design business. Like a lot of garden designers I came to the industry as a career changer. I was reflecting how much of my previous life I use, pick up and adapt to the garden and landscaping industry. My dad was a civil engineer and as a child I spent weekends and holiday inevitably looking at foundations and structural wall reinforcements. To rebel I qualified in Mechanical Engineering (after studying structural and electrical engineering too). I was fascinated in how things are made and material development. It's come full circle now and the ironic fact that I was standing on a building site last week was not lost on me. Running your own business, as well as the garden design element, requires a lot of hats! Project management, customer relation management, change management, construction detailing, CAD... Most of which I have worn in a past life of quality engineering, new product introduction and lean manufacturing. The cherry on the cake for me is now being able to use creative flair into the mix. Learning about Horticulture has been so enjoyable for me and I absolutely loved the Naturalistic Planting Design course. When I'm not working, I'm a busy mum of three, a keen gardener in my own patch and enjoy singing (sometimes in tune) in a choir. The joy of working in something you love is that my mind is on the job, daydreaming, learning, pondering.. #reflections #careerpath #gardendesigner #careerchangers
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I thought it would be a good time for a reintroduction for those who are...

On to the next evolution of this garden in Hastingleigh. Nice to revisit a few weeks after planting to go through with the maintenance team @hythegardenlandscapes. Adding a few more climbers and making plans for the spring. Lots of bulbs starting to spring up and lots of promise of what’s to come next year. #gardenevolution #gardendesign #gardendesigner #kent #kentdowns #kentdownsaonb
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On to the next evolution of this garden in Hastingleigh. Nice to revisit a few...

What do you look for when you are buying plants? It struck me that clients often think I'm a bit mad when I come and put pots with very little to look at in their gardens. Plant shopping as a designer is completely different than popping along to a garden centre on a summer Sunday afternoon. What are we looking for? Well promise, the knowledge that the healthy, robust, root system that lies beneath the compost is going to bring amazing interest, contrast and mesh with the others next to them. Very often plants sold in wholesale are very much for their potential. Whereas plants in the garden centre are there to entice you to buy now, in full flower. Always worth asking yourself the question what will it be like throughout the rest of the year. I thought I'd share some photos of a bed that was planted last year and how a newly planted bed looks. This border is mainly dry partial shade so probably one of the trickest places to plant. The photos after show how much it grew in one season and I'm sure that next year it will be even better. If you are looking to create borders with promise get in touch to book a consultation and design for 2026.Email <a href=catriona@catrionastiles.co.uk or get in touch via the website. #gardendesign #gardendesigner #planting #plantingplans" loading="lazy">
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What do you look for when you are buying plants?

It struck me that clients...

A glorious sunny day @elmleynature where I'm assured the sun always shines! The concept designs are off the board to convert the old gravel in to a garden for guest to enjoy and relax in. Windy beds guide you to the buildings and cosy nooks. The plan is to plant through the gravel, layers below with drought tolerant shrubs, perennials and grasses. The amazing new Stables function space will be integrated into the garden and has its own courtyard garden. An amazing exciting project to be involved in and very privileged to be part of the evolution. Architect @tomdunnarchitects
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A glorious sunny day @elmleynature where I'm assured the sun always shines! The concept designs...

🌟 Client Feedback Spotlight 🌟 “We’re absolutely thrilled with our new garden design! Catriona is an absolute superstar – her design was exactly what we were after, and she was incredibly helpful in bringing the whole project together. We’d recommend her to anyone looking for a creative and professional garden designer!” #ClientReview #GardenDesign #HappyClients #outdoorliving #kent landscaping by @hythegardenlandscapes
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🌟 Client Feedback Spotlight 🌟
“We’re absolutely thrilled with our new garden design! Catriona is...

In winter, it’s tempting to tidy. To clear away the faded stems, the seed heads, the weathered structures. But here’s the thing: decay has purpose. Those hollow stalks? They shelter insects. The seed heads? Winter food for birds. Even the crumbling textures add quiet beauty—soft silhouettes against frost, a reminder that the garden is still alive, just differently. Leaving things be isn’t neglect. It’s care. It’s understanding that gardens breathe in cycles, and that rest is part of the rhythm. So this season, resist the urge to strip it back. Let the garden whisper its winter story. #WinterGardenWisdom #LetItDecay #WildGardenBeauty #SeasonalRhythms #GardenDesignWithPurpose #HabitatMatters #TexturalGardens
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In winter, it’s tempting to tidy. To clear away the faded stems, the seed heads,...

Imagine stepping into a garden where the path curves gently beneath your feet, guiding you past fragrant herbs, soft grasses, and terracotta pots brimming with blooms. The warmth of the sun catches the leaves just so, and suddenly—this space feels like yours. This Mediterranean garden was designed to *feel* intuitive. Every texture, every plant, every turn in the path was chosen to help you slow down and connect. It’s not just about what you see—it’s about what you sense. If you’ve ever struggled to visualise your dream garden, that’s okay. I help bring it to life—step by step, mood board by mood board, until it feels just right. 🌿✨ #MediterraneanGardenDesign #VisualiseYourGarden #GardenWithFeeling #TerracottaTextures #DesignThatGuides #OutdoorSanctuary #GardenPathways Landscaping by @hythegardenlandscapes
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Imagine stepping into a garden where the path curves gently beneath your feet, guiding you...

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Breathing a new lease of life in this Kent country garden. New planting beds, raised...

When’s the right time to think about your garden in a renovation? Probably earlier than you think. It’s great for garden designer and architect to collaborate on the design, at an early point, so that the two areas work together, harmoniously, rather than against each other. So great to share these concepts, a year after my first visit, of my idea of how the garden will fit in with the existing landscape and new parts of the house. #gardendesigns #gardendesigner #homeandgarden
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When’s the right time to think about your garden in a renovation? Probably earlier than...

This new design takes a tricky corner garden, with level drop and transforms the garden into an entertaining idyll. Built in seating and bar for evenings with friends, secluded seating areas nestled in planting for coffee and relaxation. The client wanted a water feature for dipping toes in. The Millboard deck cantilevers over the raised pond, that spills into the nature pond below. A lovely space to relax. Where would you spend time in this garden? #gardendesign #kent #cornergarden #gardeninspiration
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This new design takes a tricky corner garden, with level drop and transforms the garden...

Now the nights are drawing in it would be easy to start to forget the garden. Autumn is a great time to get busy and to give you a great start next year. Following a really dry spring and summer now is a really good time for planting. Bulbs like this Allium are great to plant now, to give you an impact and some great seedheads. Let me know in the comments what you are planning to plant this autumn. #autumngardens #autumngardening #autumngardenjobs #autumngardendays
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Now the nights are drawing in it would be easy to start to forget the...

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