Inspired ideas: Kirsty McLean shares some sources of inspiration…

As a professional Garden Designer, inspiration can come from literally anywhere, at any time. It could be the shape of a piece of jewellery, the detail on a building, clothing design, a particular colour, but for me, probably the biggest inspiration comes from nature and the natural landscape – it has so much to teach us! But of course, travel, garden visits, magazines, the internet, design programmes, current styles etc., are also amazing sources of inspiration and ideas. 

When it comes to looking for inspiration for your own garden, there is such a wonderful array of sources these days making it easier than ever to explore different styles and find what appeals to you, or perhaps it’s a piece of furniture or garden art that you fall in love with that motivates your design?

It’s certainly easy to go down a rabbit-hole when searching online, between Pinterest, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and websites! Magazines, both online and bought can provide fantastic inspiration and let you understand what is ‘on-trend’ – Homes & Interiors Scotland, Garden Illustrated, Homes & Gardens, House & Gardens are all excellent quality magazines that are readily available.  

There is no substitute for physically experiencing what other people have created, garden visits and shows are a wonderful way to connect with the creativity of others but also the suppliers of all things to do with gardens and gardening too.

Discover Scottish Gardens online suggests where to go for days out, helps you find an event and lists wonderful gardens to visit all over Scotland. The National Trust for Scotland provides us with an abundance of properties with beautiful gardens to visit where the purchase of a membership also goes toward the upkeep of these amazing places. Scotland’s Gardens Scheme (SGS) produces a fantastic guidebook each year of gardens that are privately owned but opened to the public on specific dates of the year, in support of numerous charities. And of course, there are our trusted regular TV gardening programmes – Beechgrove Garden whose expert and intimate knowledge of gardening in Scotland is endless and for the wider community, Gardeners World.

The Royal Horticultural Society give us the most incredible variety of shows each year. Starting with the Urban Show in April this is quickly followed by Malvern Spring, Chelsea, Hampton Court, & Tatton Park and if you can’t get there, many are televised or details of show gardens available on their website. Here in Scotland we have Gardening Scotland in May at Ingliston, Threave Garden Show, Scone Palace Garden Fair, Glorious British Gardens, The Ideal Home Show Scotland and of course for a more horticultural experience, our very own Aberdeen Royal Horticultural Society, Spring Flower Show at the end of March and Flower Show at the end of August, held at Duthie Park. 

When it comes down to planting design, the RHS Plant Finder is great for sourcing specimen plants, and nursery websites and catalogues provide endless ideas. That said, visiting local garden centres and plant nurseries means you can ensure your new plants are in excellent condition and should flourish here. 

If all this isn’t enough inspiration, many professional garden designers share their experience and knowledge in book form, which can also be very visual and therefore really helpful.

With such an abundance of great quality sources and resources, it’s hard to imagine not being able to find inspiration for your garden, whatever the size, shape, or orientation but if you still find it overwhelming, you can always reach out to a garden designer who will take the pain out of the process and support you.