Sight

Vision is usually the first sense to kick in when you experience a garden, before the other senses respond. Ideally, you should be drawn in to further explore the space you have encountered, and the perspective, views and details should change as you move through it. Think about how certain areas make you feel – or want to feel. Excited? Energised? Calm? All the elements you choose for your garden can create a striking mood when combined. The best gardens are extremely focused on satisfying the eyes – I call it good design!

Make it happen

Plant selection. There are many fabulous latesummer flowering perennials that can inject colour and a vibrancy to your borders. My picks are crocosmias, Japanese anemones and heleniums.

Edge the lawn. Bring back that crisp border to your lawn. It’s a time of year when the definition between planting and the lawn can get a little muddled, so edge cleanly using a half moon tool.

Collect and sow seed now. Have a good look around and see if there are any perennial or hardy annual plants you can collect seed from.

Create a focal point. Add a focal point at the end of a path to draw the eye, such as this shed. Even a well-placed large pot (with or without plants) guides your eye and can define an area.