PEOPLE & GARDENS

Royal gardens: ideas ordinary gardens can actually borrow

The scale may be different, but royal and historic gardens still offer useful lessons in structure, repetition and seasonal interest.

Structure first

Large historic gardens often use hedges, paths, repeated trees and strong shapes to hold the garden together. The same idea works in a small space with one clipped hedge, repeated pots or a clear lawn edge.

Repeat successful plants

Rather than filling every gap with something different, repeating a smaller palette creates rhythm and makes maintenance easier.

Plan for more than one season

Good gardens combine spring bulbs, summer flowering, autumn colour and winter structure so there is always something doing a job.