Tips from THE LODGE

1 RAISE TREE CANOPIES This will let in light and make space for growing plants underneath.

2 REPLACE TREES Silver birches look better when they’re young – be prepared to take them out when they get too big and replace them with young ones again.

3 BUILD UP, THEN CUT BACK Let hedges and shrubs grow, then consider that if you cut out or thin one section, it could give you a view beyond.

4 BE CRITICAL Walk around your garden at different times of the day and assess how well things are working.

5 BE AWARE OF FADS We all have sudden enthusiasm for a particular plant but learn to recognise when, for you, its moment has passed.

6 CHECK YOUR AXES AND VIEWS In a small garden, make sure that whichever way you turn, you have another path to choose and follow.

7 EXPERIMENT Your garden is there for you to enjoy, so revel in trying out different things.