Adam’s guide to designing with plants

Designing with plants Beautiful plants form the heart of every garden, but just how do you combine them for the best results? Adam Frost shares his planting-design basics

Plants add structure, texture and colour – and the all-important atmosphere

Planting design is one of the most fascinating parts of creating a garden. Plants tell the story of the seasons and encourage wildlife. They add structure, texture, movement, sound and colour, and help provide the all-important atmosphere. All that said, the vast number of plants out there to choose from can sometimes feel a little overwhelming, and plant knowledge is something that evolves over time – even the experts don’t know them all.

Planting design is a big subject, but I promise if you break the process down into digestible chunks you’ll be able to create the borders and garden you dream of. And, if I’m honest, you probably won’t get it right the first time

– I often don’t and I’ve been doing this for decades!

Planning with patience

The first, and most important, piece of advice is don’t rush to the garden centre and fill your boot with plants. Plants can be expensive, and you want to buy once and buy right, which is why planting design is so crucial. Start by thinking about what you already have in the garden that works though the seasons, and at what time of year your garden lacks interest.

Make a note of the shrubs and large trees that sit in neighbouring gardens that impact your view, and work out how the light affects your garden at different times of the day. This will give you an understanding of where plants will grow best, and enable you to use light to enhance the atmosphere of your garden.

Although there are lots of different planting styles, for me, a garden should reflect your personality. So, as you get to know your space, don’t only think about styles – also consider the mood or emotion you’d like to create. Your planting should not be dictated just by how it looks, but also by how it makes you feel.

Although there are lots of planting styles, a garden should reflect your personality