It’s that time in the gardening calendar when everything feels new, exciting and abundant. Whatever the weather holds, it’s a pleasure to be outside, just as the garden is starting to flourish.

If you’re starting afresh this year, or simply looking for a few ideas to update your plot (however large or small) here are some of our favourite gardening styles to inspire your plans, along with our most trusted plant recommendations.

Woodland and Shady Garden

If your garden is shady or north-facing, woodland plants are ideal. The key here is lots of layered, textural foliage to create an enclosed, cocooning feel. Choose plants that naturally thrive in shaded conditions – you might be surprised just how many varieties are suitable.

RHS Chelsea 2025 'Chelsea Pensioner's Garden' Pictured above: RHS Chelsea 2025 Show Garden - 'London Square Chelsea Pensioner's Garden'

PLANTS TO TRY:

Hostas look wonderful planted en masse, brightening dark corners with their vivid foliage and delicate trumpeted flowers in summer.

Ferns, which are well-adapted to lower light conditions. We always have a range to pick from so pop in to see what’s new.

Heurchera, which range from deep bronze and reds to lime green.

Flowering bulbs that are native to UK woodlands are equally happy naturalised in shady garden borders. Bluebells, snowdrops and primroses all love the shade.

If you’ve space, large evergreen shrubs add all-important, year-round height and structure. Skimmias are a true all-rounder, while rhododendrons and camellias will reward you with glorious bright flowers.

Fatsia japonica, a more exotic looking plant that’s great for shade and requires little care.

Patio or Courtyard Garden

Treated like an extension of the home, even the most compact patios and courtyard gardens can shine when layered with seating, all-weather cushions & throws, and, of course, beautiful planting.

Typically lawn and border free, this is where container planting really comes into its own. Rustic terracotta pots look beautiful with resilient, Mediterranean style plants such as rosemary, lavender or bay, while sleek zinc planters have a more modern, minimal feel.

Whatever your style, when space is at a premium it’s important to choose varieties that you truly love and will work hard for your patio - adding texture, colour, movement or fragrance.

RHS Chelsea 2023 'The Restorative Balcony Garden'

Pictured above: RHS Chelsea 2023 Show Garden - 'The Restorative Balcony Garden'

PLANTS TO TRY:

Lavender is perfect for small gardens and pots, with its heady scent and ease of care. Try our Cheshire-grown lavenders, or white varieties for something different.

Agapanthus prefer to have their roots slightly constricted, making them ideal for container growing. Some can reach over a meter in height, with huge, inky blue flower heads. Place them somewhere sunny for a showstopping display.

Olive trees, which are drought-tolerant and well suited to large containers.

Herbs for their texture and fragrance - a must for any cook, plus pollinators love them. There are plenty to choose from that will thrive in pots, including mint, rosemary, thyme, sage and bay. We always stock a range, from our trusted Italian suppliers to locally grown varieties, along with the Hairy Pot Co.

Pot-friendly fruits and vegetables including tomatoes and strawberries.
Pop in to see our wide selection of pots, or let us do the work and choose one of our ready planted containers, expertly planted up by our team.

Cottage Garden

Quintessential and classic, the cottage garden is as popular now as ever. Think abundant planting, layers of colour, a mix of flowers, vegetables and herbs - along with ground cover spilling onto pathways, and scrambling, climbing plants covering walls and arches.

The wonderful thing about cottage garden planting is that any colour goes. Choose whites and pastels for a calming feel, or bright jewel tones for vibrancy.

RHS Chelsea 2024 'Bridgerton Garden' Pictured above: RHS Chelsea 2024 Show Garden - 'Bridgerton Garden'

PLANTS TO TRY:

Self-seeding plants such as aquilegia, erysimum and cosmos.

Tall perennials like foxgloves and delphiniums for height and colour.

Statement, scented blooms like peonies and roses. We especially love David Austin’s Gertrude Jekyll, reliable and showy as both a climbing and shrub rose.

Hardy geraniums, which are incredibly tolerant and can flower for months on end. Our favourite variety is Rozanne, an award-winning blue geranium that you’ll see outside our Tarvin garden centre from late spring to autumn.

Dahlias – available in a huge array of forms, colours and sizes, and a must for any cottage garden.

Climbers – varieties of clematis such as Avalanche, evergreen star jasmine, as well as beautiful, bold wisteria.

Fruit trees including apples and pears plus strawberry plants for pots and borders.

Contemporary Garden

Contemporary gardens are prized for their clean lines and modern, architectural appeal. A mixture of formal planting along with hard landscaping, such as gravel, paving, decking or concrete, will ensure a sleek look.

Limit the number of plant varieties for a cohesive look. A standout tree or shrub will add impact to your space, along with a clear colour palette and lots of green foliage.

RHS Chelsea 2023 'Memoria and Greenacres Transcendence Garden'

Pictured above: RHS Chelsea 2023 Show Garden - 'Memoria and Greenacres Transcendence Garden'

PLANTS TO TRY:

Ornamental grasses.

Alliums, especially when repeated throughout a border.

Topiary clipped into balls or cones. We’re big fans of ilex crenata, a reliable alternative to box.

Standard ‘lollipop’ style trees like bay.

Large multistem shrubs such as osmanthus. Or try the graceful amelanchier lamarckii - every gardeners favourite.

Specimen trees to create a focal point. Flowering cherries add charm, while mature olives add texture with their gnarley, tactile trunks. Or try an acer, which come in a variety of sizes and colours.

Cordyline or phormium for architectural interest.
Hydrangea - we love Annabel and Runaway Bride.

Prairie Garden

Prairie style planting has become increasingly popular over the last few years. Originally inspired by the open landscapes of the American Midwest, gardeners now use the term to describe informal, meadow-like gardens characterised by rhythm and gentle movement - with perennials and grasses as the key feature.

Planting in drifts is a great way to achieve the look, choosing varieties that look good even as they fade, so the garden still feels beautiful beyond peak flowering season.

The added benefit of prairie gardens is the habitat they provide for wildlife, including birds and pollinating insects.

RHS Chelsea 2025 'Hospitalfield Arts Garden'

Pictured above: RHS Chelsea 2025 Show Garden - 'Hospitalfield Arts Garden'

PLANTS TO TRY:

Lots and lots of grasses. A few recommendations include minscanthus, pennisetums (we like ‘Tiny Tales’, a hardy, compact variety with fluffy pink spikes, as well as ‘Summer Samba’ & ‘Fireworks’) and stipa ‘Pony Tails’, which is always a favourite.

Verbena bonariensis – although tall, it’s slender and airy so suitable for all spaces. Also loved by bees & butterflies.
Geums – bright, reliable, and a forever favourite at Okells.