Once you’ve settled in your new home, you can give some thought to the landscape design you prefer. It will suit your lifestyle and needs and can be as straightforward or as complex as you like and have room for. You’ll need plants in any design, so how do you choose them? Here are some tips from professional landscapers:

• While there are many beautiful plants, you won’t be able to fit them all in. If you try with just one of everything, your garden area will most likely look somewhat hodge-podge, with no cohesion to tie it all together.
• If you work in a small area, your choice may be even more limited. One way to choose plants is to ensure they can do more than one function. For instance, an espaliered apple tree can provide privacy, cover an unsightly wall or fence, and give you fruit. A tree or shrub can have exciting bark, give vertical interest, provide shade, and also delight you with perfumed flowers in season. If the leaves have a pretty autumn colour or if it has berries on it throughout winter, so much the better.