Blog

I entered a National garden design competition with the RHS and BBC: the RHS Feel Good Garden competition. The brief was to design a ‘Feel good’ front garden, taking inspiration from your local area. I received fantastic news recently from the RHS: I had won and been chosen as one of the four winners to […]

Front Garden ‘Grey to Green’ Makeover It’s a shame that so many of us just block pave or tarmac over it as we as a nation don’t really know what to do with front gardens. I’ve written an article on things to consider with a front garden makeover which gives hints and tips. This front garden […]

Regardless of the weather; its variety of both terrain, wildlife and botany is something that always draws me back to Scotland whenever I can.  Scotland, especially the highlands, can be a place of extremes which can give a garden designer such as myself some brilliant inspiration.  Brutal winds whip up dried leaves, waves crash on […]

When were the Winter Gardens created? Prior to the Dunham Massey Winter gardens, the area where they sit was used by the main house as a pony field for the family horses. Over years, the ground became more and more overgrown and the usage became less and less. Covered in weeds, brambles and thicket it […]

If you already have a garden structure that you’re happy with but need some assistance in what to plant where then a Garden Planting Plan could be the ideal solution for you. My garden design services always include planting plan. Please note I have stopped offering a stand-alone planting plan under my services. How does a […]

In our 21st-century world everything seems to be expected, bigger, faster and more up to date than ever before. It is conversely at the same time required to be thinner, smaller and more socially available than ever before. You shouldn’t eat this. You can’t do that. You must avoid those. I think most can relate […]

Sensory gardens prime purpose is to awaken your senses, whether that be smell, touch or sight. They are rarely sutble and require specific design principles to work well. Garden Ninja is here to help clear up the confusion and provide some guidance on sensory garden design. This handy guide will explain each of the areas […]

So you’ve decided that you would like a garden you can relax and admire.  You may have also liked the look of raised beds.  Probably because: You want a neat looking garden with clean lines You like the idea of having an amazing garden but your current layout / borders put you off You want a […]

The boring garden is something that often starts the process of looking into a garden design. Looking out over an uninspired space can be enough of a drive to turn the blank garden into something fantastic. Starting garden design is an exciting but considered process. One that should not be rushed into but carefully planned. […]

Today Garden Ninja took a day off to visit one of the best gardens here in the North West, Tatton Gardens. Tatton gardens feature one of Britain’s most authentic Japanese gardens, alongside some spectacular formal gardens overlooking the grounds. It’s a huge garden packed with many surprises and some amazing specimens, such as the beech […]