HOW TO CREATE

Take inspiration from the plants and design ideas in this elegant garden by Gillespies in Holland Park, London, to make your own tranquil, leafy retreat

a woodland scheme using water features, effective lighting and lots of lush, layered planting.

surface materials

The designers of this garden have used a variety of landscaping materials for different purposes and effects. Stone setts were chosen for the paths and terraces in areas that are used most, creating a tapestry of textures to offset the planting. The main paths and open spaces have been laid in porphyry setts (similar setts are available from CED, cedstone.co.uk), while stepping stones create informal routes over mossy areas between plants, and secondary bark mulch paths weave through the trees.