If you want to make your home feel like a palace, the best place to start is your garden. An expert stately home gardener reveals several easy tips to make your outdoor space feel five-star
There are few things better than feeling as though you’re waking up in your own idyllic getaway every day – so why not try these expert luxury garden tips.
According to a recent survey by Insight DIY, one in 10 Brits are choosing to invest in their gardens instead of going on holiday. But this doesn’t mean you have to miss out on luxury.
From secluded garden rooms to fragrant, season-long blooms, there are a myriad of ways to make your outdoor space a five-star experience. It comes as a woman claims ‘I work in a hotel – you should never turn your lights on when entering your room’.
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Noah Mabey, gardener at the Thornbridge Hall told Platinum Spas: “Gardens are personal, and they should be a place you genuinely enjoy spending time in. Whether you have acres to play with or a modest back garden, a few well-chosen touches can make all the difference.”
Noah shares his top insider tips, based on years of designing and maintaining elegant hotel gardens, to help Brits design a stately garden.
1. Keep your colour palette simple
Noah says: “Less is more when it comes to hotel gardens – sticking to a clear, calm colour palette is best. Blue and green are timeless, or choose soft pinks and whites for a floaty, elegant look.”
He adds: “The key is to resist the temptation to add too many different plants or colours, which can make the space feel cluttered rather than refined.”
2. Repeat plant for impact – plant in 3’s and 5’s
Hotels avoid a busy, mismatched feel by repeating plants in blocks, Noah reveals. He says: “Repetition creates rhythm in the garden and gives the whole space a cohesive, well-planned appearance.”
He explains: “Plant in odd-numbered groups for a natural, balanced look. This simple trick helps create harmony and flow in your planting scheme, making it more pleasing to the eye than even-numbered arrangements.”
3. Create ‘Garden Rooms’ for hosting
Nothing says elegance quite like having secluded areas to unwind. If you have enough space, Noah suggests breaking up large areas in your garden with hedges, trees, or trellis to create more intimate spaces.
He says: “This not only adds privacy but also gives each area its own atmosphere. These ‘garden rooms’ are ideal for entertaining; simply add a table and chairs and you’ve got the perfect spot for an al fresco dinner party.”
4. Consider fragrance
While it’s easy to overlook, scent can play a massive role in how luxurious a garden feels. Noah shares: “Osmanthus burkwoodii smells amazing in the Spring and repeat-flowering roses will offer a gorgeous scent all Summer long. I especially love to use herbs for fragrance in my garden – rosemary and lavender offer both structure and a lovely scent.”
Noah adds: “Don’t forget to plant your most fragrant species near seating areas or paths to ensure you can enjoy them up close.”
5. Incorporate bold features for a grand feel
Noah suggests going “bold” to achieve a fancy hotel-garden feel. He says: “Statement planting makes all the difference – an avenue of lavender or nepeta makes for a striking entrance. ”
He continues: “Larger trees can also make a space feel private and serene, instantly giving the garden a more stately feel. Larger trees can frame views, provide dappled shade, and make a space feel more private and serene, instantly giving the garden a more stately, timeless character.”
6. Layer your planting
If you want to make sure your garden appears beautiful year-round and to keep people’s interest, Noah suggests opting for “thoughtful layering”.
He explains: “Mix heights and textures to create depth and dimension in your planting scheme. Place larger shrubs or small trees at the back to form a backdrop, use mid-height plants like hydrangeas or roses to add structure, and bring in floaty perennials such as nepeta or geraniums towards the front for movement and softness.
“Dot bulbs like alliums, tulips, or daffodils throughout for bursts of seasonal colour.”
7. Aim for year-round interest
Of course, different plants will shine in different seasons. Noah says: “Evergreens like yew balls or topiary keep structure through the seasons, while hydrangeas and red-stemmed dogwood add winter character.
“Even spent hydrangea blooms have a beautiful texture in the colder months, so think about plants that look good beyond their flowering period.”
