How to change your garden…structure

Structure in a garden is absolutely essential and without it your garden will become a completely blank canvas in the winter.  When people think of what needs to be in their gardens they will think of plants that flower – often perennials and maybe some shrubs.  Perennials look amazing when they are at their peak, but only few offer any 'structure' beyond this time.

So, while you may be happy with your garden in the summer, if in winter you are thinking there's definitely room for improvement, it could be time to get the 'structure' right.  

Structure in this garden would transform it from being a 'field'

A garden through the seasons, the evergreens, background trees, arch and swing seat bring shape to the winter garden

Structure in your garden is like the skeleton in a body, it helps to create a framework in the garden when the summer planting has gone.  It creates shapes, outlines and, simply, something to look at. It doesn't matter if your garden is small or large, without structure it will look boring and uninteresting.

Raised beds create additional  structure in this garden

So what is structure?  Basically it's where designers begin bringing their design to life.  Structure can be added in many ways:

• Trees and shrubs – both evergreen and deciduous
• Raised hard landscaping features, eg pergolas
• Paths and steps
• Hedges, fencing and screening
• Raised water features
• Garden furniture
• Garden ornaments and sculptures