Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-groundwork">The groundwork</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="520" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Plants-to-look-through-Crosspath.jpg" alt="Gardens Chiltern Garden Design" class="wp-image-186068" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Plants-to-look-through-Crosspath.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Plants-to-look-through-Crosspath-800x416.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Plants-to-look-through-Crosspath-400x208.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Verbena bonariensis and ornamental grasses provide layers of visual interest in an Amersham garden.</figcaption></figure>



<p>You may have all sorts of grand garden designs in mind, but before you start ordering the plants, it&#8217;s important to put in some groundwork on the practicalities of designing a garden. Start by considering access. It&#8217;s difficult (but not impossible!) to manoeuvre tall trees into a garden with narrow or no side access – you may have to remove a rear fence panel, go through your neighbours&#8217; garden, or even winch large specimens over the fence with a crane. (I&#8217;ve done this, and it&#8217;s expensive!). You&#8217;ll also need to think about how much effort you&#8217;re prepared to put into garden maintenance. Are you able to spend hours each week pruning hedges and weeding borders – or do you have the funds to pay someone to do the heavy lifting for you? Make sure all planted areas are accessible, or it&#8217;ll be impossible to keep them looking spruce.</p>



<p>Particularly in the drier months, think about how you&#8217;ll water your garden. For sustainability, try to capture rainwater in a water butt rather than relying on precious drinking water. If you&#8217;ll be away for long periods in the summer, automated irrigation is essential. Finally: understand the soil in your area – is it acidic/alkali, dry/damp in different areas, or nutrient rich/poor? Also the aspect of your garden. Will it suit flowers that love a sun-trap or do you need to cultivate shady corners? While we all love lavender, there&#8217;s no point trying to plant it in a damp, boggy, shady garden because it will shrivel up its toes. A garden designer can carry out this analysis as part of their initial site visit.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aesthetic-decisions">Aesthetic decisions</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Evergreens-Sarnia-20-of-24.jpg" alt="Gardens Chiltern Garden Design" class="wp-image-186053" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Evergreens-Sarnia-20-of-24.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Evergreens-Sarnia-20-of-24-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Evergreens-Sarnia-20-of-24-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Evergreens as the core planting in a front garden in Little Chalfont.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Now you&#8217;ve put in the spadework, so to speak, you can move on to the fun stuff – actually placing plants in the ground. The first consideration here is thinking about when you&#8217;ll want to enjoy the garden, or each part of the garden. Areas far away from the house may be visited less in colder months, so they&#8217;ll need less &#8216;all-year-round’ interest and you can go for it with summer-flowering plants. However, areas near the house that you see every day, for example front gardens, will need winter interest to stop them looking dull for large chunks of the year. I advise planting 30-40% evergreens but don&#8217;t go too high or the view can feel stolid and unmoving, with no change through the seasons.</p>



<p>It&#8217;s also important to think about screening. It&#8217;s important to feel private in your garden, so use tall plants to block unsightly views or screen your home from the neighbours&#8217; windows. The flip-side, however, is thinking about how much light you might block out, or whether you might annoy the neighbours by planting high hedges. I recommend planting evergreens to block ugly features year-round, or a cheaper deciduous tree if it&#8217;s a view that doesn&#8217;t bother you 24/7.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Screening.jpg" alt="Gardens Chiltern Garden Design" class="wp-image-186057" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Screening.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Screening-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Screening-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Taxus bachata (yew) planted to hide fences, and Magnolia grandiflora (evergreen) pleached trees above the fence-line create more privacy in a rear garden in Little Chalfont.</figcaption></figure>



<p>On a related note, think about how much you want to see of your garden from each vista. Depending on their density, plants can either create openness or a sense of enclosure. People often feel tall plants must be placed at the back of a border, but I like to place gauzy, semi-transparent grasses and tall perennials at the front of a bed for a see-through, naturalistic effect. Shape is more important than colour, so use a variety, or a repetition of, particular forms. The effect can be formal (e.g. shaped topiary cones/cubes/balls/domes) or informal (e.g. a cloud-pruned hedge, or multi-stem trees), which will give you a living sculpture.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Gauzy-purple-flowers-and-Sculpture-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-186070" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Gauzy-purple-flowers-and-Sculpture-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Gauzy-purple-flowers-and-Sculpture-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Gauzy-purple-flowers-and-Sculpture-1-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gauzy, semi-transparent plants create foreground interest without blocking views, like the Verbena bonariensis and ornamental grasses in this garden in Amersham.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-foliage-and-shrubs">Foliage and shrubs</h2>



<p>While flowers are the show-stoppers, remember the rule that foliage lasts longer – typically months, rather than weeks. So boost the colour-count by choosing plants with interesting-colored leaves, too. There&#8217;s a spectrum of red, yellow and silver hues out there – plus every shade of green, of course. Variegation will add interest, and it gives shady areas a helpful lift, but go easy on intense patterning as it can confuse the eye. I avoid putting white and yellow variegated foliage together. It&#8217;s not the most aesthetic look.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="730" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Foliage-and-texture.jpg" alt="Gardens Chiltern Garden Design" class="wp-image-186072" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Foliage-and-texture.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Foliage-and-texture-800x584.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Foliage-and-texture-400x292.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Silver variegation (Brunnera) adds brightness and texture to the foliage in this shady spot in a Hazlemere back garden. </figcaption></figure>



<p>Shrubs form the heft of a planted border. They&#8217;ll have perhaps a month in flower each year, but the rest of the time they’re just a bulky shape. So, make sure that either the foliage is interesting after it&#8217;s finished flowering, or it provides a useful green foil for more interesting perennials or grasses to flower against later.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colour-schemes">Colour schemes</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/White-and-pink-colour-scheme.jpg" alt="Gardens Chiltern Garden Design" class="wp-image-186061" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/White-and-pink-colour-scheme.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/White-and-pink-colour-scheme-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/White-and-pink-colour-scheme-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">White and green with a touch of palest pink create a private, restful back garden in Chalfont St Giles.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Many clients understandably want as much colour as possible in their garden. But in a small garden, or an area that’s seen all at once, I typically avoid going for an ‘anything goes’ colour-scheme. Restricting colours is one of the easiest ways to make a space feel cohesive, like it hangs together with purpose. </p>



<p>Colours that recede – white and blue – make a space feel larger and are calming and relaxing. Colours that advance – red and orange – make a space feel smaller and are energising. Colour can do both of those things but not at the same time (unless you have a large garden with space for separate planting areas), so it&#8217;s important to think about the mood you&#8217;d like your garden to create.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Red-and-orange-stable-house-11.jpg" alt="Gardens Chiltern Garden Design" class="wp-image-186064" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Red-and-orange-stable-house-11.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Red-and-orange-stable-house-11-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Red-and-orange-stable-house-11-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bright yellow and and orange flowers create a high-contrast, uplifting mood in this Chalfont St Giles garden.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Opposites on the colour wheel feel very fresh and appealing – e.g. purple and orange, but use the orange sparingly and mix with plenty of fresh green to avoid overpowering a small space. You can also try using a colour spectrum, e.g. soft pastels modulating into strong, rich colours later in the season, but this is difficult to achieve as some plants flower across seasons. Restricting to a single colour can be very elegant. The world-famous <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/sissinghurst-castle-garden/the-garden-at-sissinghurst-castle-garden#rt-the-white-garden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">White Garden</a> at Sissinghurst Castle in Kent is a much-imitated blend of white, green, grey and silver planting. You could have a piece of that in your garden very easily. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="678" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/YELLOWPLANTING.jpg" alt="Gardens Chiltern Garden Design" class="wp-image-186074" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/YELLOWPLANTING.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/YELLOWPLANTING-800x542.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/YELLOWPLANTING-400x271.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bright yellow daisies add zing to a garden in Chalfont St Giles.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Another way a designer&#8217;s eye comes in is to pair plants of the same colour with different shapes and heights. You could contrast a wide-open daisy flower with enclosed bell shapes or sprays of tiny flowers for a subtle, attractive scheme. Think about how big they&#8217;ll grow eventually (especially if they may outgrow a pot). Most plants you can prune, but some plants don&#8217;t enjoy being cut back. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sensory-gardens">Sensory gardens</h2>



<p>Plants with soft leaves like <em>Stachys byzantina</em> (Lamb&#8217;s-ear), are loved by small children who love to stroke them. It&#8217;s a wonderful way to introduce kids to nature and its possibilities. Or try running your fingers over the fluffy seedheads of <em>Pennisetum</em> ‘Karley Rose’ as a way to calm yourself in times of stress.&nbsp;Unless a garden is adults-only, I never plant <em>Aconitum </em>(Wolfsbane), because it&#8217;s poisonous, and <em>Euphorbia </em>has a sap that can be toxic to your skin and cause blisters, so always wear gloves and never use it in a garden for small children.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="754" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Planting-for-scent-Byeways-4.jpg" alt="Gardens Chiltern Garden Design" class="wp-image-186066" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Planting-for-scent-Byeways-4.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Planting-for-scent-Byeways-4-800x603.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Planting-for-scent-Byeways-4-400x302.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A scented garden in Little Chalfont: wisteria and star jasmine climb the pergola for spring and summer fragrance, while roses and catmint provide ground level scent. </figcaption></figure>



<p>For scent, roses, lavender and peonies are classics but consider jasmine, honeysuckle, daphne, witchhazel, Phlox, Skimmia, Mahonia and Philadelphus too. If the garden is very exposed (perhaps you&#8217;ve bought a patch of farmland to create a garden) you’ll need to plant a shelter-belt to enjoy more delicate seasonal beauties, like poppies, without their petals and foliage being ripped to shreds by strong winds.&nbsp;In Victorian and Edwardian times, people would build a walled garden to create shelter. But stone walls are expensive so these days you might use tall hedging like leylandii, which are also helpful for filtering out pollution and traffic noise. If you&#8217;re on a main road then plants with soft and furry leaves and some evergreens can keep pollution down by trapping particulate matter. One last gardener&#8217;s tip: I love a magnolia as much as anyone, but don&#8217;t plant one if you live in Chesham because it&#8217;s a frost hollow in that part of Bucks.</p>



<ul>
<li><em><strong>Sam Proctor MSGD is the founder of the Amersham-based design practice <a href="https://www.chilterngardendesign.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chiltern Garden Design</a>, which focuses on the Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire areas of the Chiltern Hills.</strong></em></li>
</ul>


Flower power: how to plant a garden that delivers all-year interest

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