Clients often ask me to provide a design for an instant make over for a garden. However, this garden was the antithesis of an instant garden. The client was a keen gardener and we worked together to redevelop the existing mature planting scheme over a period of 18 months.

I drew up a plant design initially. We then slowly took large shrubs out and replanted the areas with shrubs and perennials which provided colour throughout the year. The area in the photo shows how an open space which was previously filled with a large conifer, was redeveloped and filled with Osmanthus x burkwoodii, Hydrangea macrophylla, Anemone x hybridus and Helleborus orientalis. Black and pink bulbs emerge in the spring.

The overall effect of the design has been an injection of colour into the garden and an increase of movement and airiness within the plant borders.The plants were sourced from Evergreen Exteriors in Banstead and planted by Berrie Garden Design.