Garden Design Secrets I Learned From the UK

Being raised in the UK and having spent the past forty years in the US, I can honestly say I miss English gardens and countryside. I find gardening quite challenging in Florida due to the weather. I’ll be back in the UK next month, so I’ll hopefully get my fill. Visiting the Chelsea flower show is still on my bucket list.

Really enjoy your videos. I’m obsessed with English gardens mainly because of watching Gardeners World. Your garden has inspired me to add some silver foliage to my shade area. I love your takeaway from Sissinghurst. My style of gardening leans toward a cottage garden on a small lot.

What a fabulous video to watch on a Sunday morning. Thank you. I have a teeny tiny urban garden/backyard with both perennials and annuals. I'm on year 3 of designing it and it's not done--probably never will be. Thanks for this inspiration!

Thank you so much for spending the time making this video. I will watch it again, taking in more each time. Every time I watch your videos, I feel like I learn something new

I can really see the influence of these gardens in your garden. I agree also on not following trends, gardening I find is deeply personal.

I started with a few potted roses and herbs at a rented home, then a 200 sq ft yard mostly covered with a deck, and am now trying to tame about a third of an acre (with the dregs of construction debris on 30%, lots of rocks, and clay soil), and though in live in Southern California, at every step I've been inspired by English Gardens. While sweeping Capability Brown landscapes and the full blown Sissinghurst experience are out of reach for most of us, scaling down the look and working with what you have can still provide a place for beauty. I am obsessed with urns and trellises, but have collected free used bricks and river cobbles for future hardscape, and incorporated the bougainvillea and native oaks here into my design plans. A White Garden can even be a few containers in a shady corner. I've always enjoyed your videos; you have a true gardener's spirit, and an excellent eye. The extra level of analysis is so helpful; we can all benefit from the knowledge these garden giants refined over their lifetimes. Great job!

Visiting some UK gardens - something I’d love to do. I’ve incorporated the idea of garden rooms in my little half acre lot, with a woodland area, a fenced backyard area and in the front yard my new rose garden. Well, the rose garden is in its second year and I’m still creating it. These things take a while to evolve. 😉 Love Robinson’s gardens but they feel so sweeping and large - and they are - but not sure how well that would translate to my much smaller spaces. My woodland garden would be a good area to think on this. Not sure my homeowners association would go along with the concept. I love your channel Sue. Thank you.

How very blessed, Sue to see these wonderful gardens. Most of us will only ever see them in photos. You have a lovely garden. I avoid trends too, but I find I do that in all aspects of my life. I plant what I love and arrange things in a way that’s pleasing to me.

My garden was also inspired by my trips to England. One thing I connected to was the sense of place they exuded. I think this is something that only comes with time. Most of us move around every few years so it’s an aspect that’s hard to create.

Another thoughtful and thought provoking video. Loved it.

Another beautiful video!

Your gardening style has influenced my own, as I love garden rooms and find them so helpful, even on my own .6 acre garden. I am heading off to Sissinghurst next week, so this was a timely video!! ❤❤

Another lovely reflection on gardening spaces from you Sue. This content feeds my soul. I do not get inspired by the latest plant to buy. When I tour local oregon gardens that have been lovingly nurtured for years, it feels spiritual. England must be magnificent in that regard. Thanks for sharing. As always, Your channel is a breath of fresh air. 💞

Very beautiful garden design.

I absolutely love this video. Please do more videos about your borders and exactly how they change through the seasons

Thank you. Lovely thoughts and inspiration!

Thank you for designing yet another thoughtfully composed video. You teach me and you inspire me!

I totally agree! Having visited many English gardens myself I have tried to replicate the same in my own garden. Even small gardens at B&Bs are designed in the same way and are just lovely! Thanks for the beautiful visit!

love the video!

Love your comments about authenticity in the garden...each of us has our own ideas of how our own garden should be and we should be brave in our own spaces. A couple of other very beautiful English gardens are Levens Hall in Cumbria and Wollerton Old Hall in Shropshire. I am sure you will find videos of both on you tube. Its so lovely that people across the globe can see these gardens without having to travel, which of course may not be possible for all. Thanks to all those who share their views and thoughts ❤