There’s always that one dream garden that lives rent-free in the brain, right? The TikTok reel that gets watched ten times, the Pinterest board full of the same patio, the magazine spread with the perfect chairs, fairy lights, and that one gorgeous tree in a pot. Well, whatever inspiration Gardeners World is throwing out there, oh, and House & Garden, plenty on there. Well, it all looks so effortless, so the mind goes, okay, just buy the same stuff, and it’ll look like that too. Easy. Like, it’s easy to copy an outfit, maybe even a room, so why not a garden, right?
Well, maybe one of your things to do this year, one of the things to achieve would be this, which, sure, makes total sense and everything, but real life, well, Mother Nature at least isn’t nearly as easy to copy as you might actually think. For example, the plants sulk, the patio feels a bit flat, the furniture looks awkward, and the whole thing just doesn’t give what the photo gave.
That’s the problem, of course, but why isn’t this working, though?
That Perfect Garden was Built for Somewhere Else
Most inspiration gardens online aren’t dealing with the same postcode as the person trying to recreate them. Yeah, even in the UK, it’s different, like the plants you can grow in Cornwall might not be able to grow in Scotland. Plus, you have to keep in mind that some hate heavy clay and sit there sulking in wet soil. Some can’t cope with a long, soggy winter. Some love intense, reliable sun that just doesn’t exist in a north-facing garden behind a row of tall houses.
Basically, when it comes to landscape design, you’ll need a professional on board if you don’t know much about plants, because even the local garden center won’t sell you plants that you can easily keep alive (probably how they get their money). Sure, you can do research too, but that gorgeous garden you’re seeing probably had a professional, or at least someone who knew what plants would work in the long term.
You Have to Think About Your Lifestyle
Sure, those high-maintenance plants are beautiful, but if you’re literally too busy now, how are you even going to find the time to take care of these? No, really, you need to be realistic about yourself and your life here. If you’re someone who hates the idea of pulling weeds, be it how boring it is, tedious, ect, then some garden styles, no matter how pretty they are, well, they just won’t work out. So yeah, it makes sense that copying the layout, plants, and furniture one for one doesn’t magically work.
Alright, What Can You Do Instead?
Now, with that part said, the inspiration itself is still useful. It just works better as a guide, not as strict instructions. Like, it helps to ask what’s actually loved about that garden. Is it the soft, layered planting, the gravel paths, the tucked-away seating, the colour of the pots, the way it feels enclosed, the arches, the lighting? Basically, you need to translate things that would better fit your life and your garden. Usually, there are decent alternatives so you can get the aesthetic and general design you’re after.
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