NEW Love Your Garden - small but perfectly formed gardens

If you were asked to draw a garden, it would more than likely have a large lawn, maybe some flower beds and plenty of seats but for most people gardens are far smaller, more compact and urban. The planning for a bijou garden is often far more challenging, but so satisfying when the little urban area becomes an oasis.

Last year, unable to film due to lockdown, we watched as the Love Your Garden presenters, Alan Titchmarsh, David Domoney, Katie Rushworth and Frances Tophill transformed their gardens. Each garden was a different shape and size, but all was a labour of love and provided that much sought-after personal space that we all came to need and desire. There was also lots of advice on growing your own food, even in the smallest of spaces.

Continuing the trend of moving the inside outside we see the greys being used

The most bijou of gardens was Frances Tophill’s. She transformed her back yard in Kent into a haven of plants including herbs, vegetables, and space for al fresco dining. A large fig formed a focal point. Every bit of space was utilised to full effect and the results were stunning.

Brickwork and wooden fence painted in Wood Stain and Protect Warm Stone. Metal bistro table and chairs painted in Royal Exterior Saffron.

No wonder Love Your Garden have decided to make a programme concentrating on small but perfectly formed gardens.

The first episode of the new series creates a natural garden with some unpainted wood, that will age over time. The raised beds are packed with climbers and shrubs.

The seats, with planting beds behind it made the best use of the sunny space at the bottom of the garden. The trailing jasmin and clematis looked fabulous against the horizontal fences painted in our exclusive Royal Exterior D19 Nude Taupe (@design_at_nineteen)

Fences painted in Royal Exterior D19 Nude Taupe

The second garden really ‘pops’ with the bright colours and has a more modern structural feel. The wooden walls are painted in Royal Exterior Midnight Blue and provide the perfect finish to the ‘imagination station’.

Slats painted in Royal Exterior Midnight Blue

Continuing the trend of moving the inside outside we see the greys being used. Our Royal Exterior Silver Grey and Royal Exterior Priddy Pools.

The table provides a great space for outdoor dining, but with the facility to fold up, it allows the space to be used so much more effectively.

Fence painted in Royal Exterior Silver Grey and Priddy Pools

Our Guide to Small Gardens

1. Be bold. Don’t be afraid to be bold on plants. You might think that a small garden couldn’t have a tree in it….but they can and it proves to be a great focal point.

2. Don’t go small plants …..choose large statement plants.

3. Straight gardens and straight lines often give the optical illusion of even more space.

4. Concentrate on your priorities for the garden….often less is more.

5. Avoid too many materials- by keeping to sleepers, or rendered walls it will make the garden look larger.

The NEW Love Your Garden starts on ITV2 at 8pm on Tuesday 13th July.

Good luck!

Please share with us at #loveprotek. We would love to see your finished projects and share across our social channels.