If you walk along your street I can virtually guarantee that nearly all the front gardens you see will contain one of four uninspiring materials. Tarmac, grey concrete, brick paviors, or pea shingle probably account for 95% of the driveways in this country & are an indication of the lack of imagination that infests the use of materials in British gardens with the new millennium dawning. Although there are reasons for the popularity of these materials, they all have large question marks against their suitability.

Gardens are like people, some you like, some you love, & some you’d rather not say. But regardless of style or character you can still admire the panache & passion that is visible to all. It’s akin to that politician (insert name & party here) whose beliefs you diametrically oppose, but whose conviction & poise you find winning you round. Great gardens are like that. Half the battle, & ninety percent of the credit, will always go to the planting. Reams & reams of articles on gardening concentrate on stunning plant combinations or the rarity of particular species, or the dedication of a particular plantsman or woman who has spent their lives clothing the landscape with their vision of a planted Eden. However, truly great gardens are much more than a series of seasonal planting effects. Plants are evocative, obsessive & desirable, but the credit in all good gardens should principally go to the structure underneath.