What soft landscaping is
Soft landscaping is the planting side of garden design: lawns, flower beds, shrubs, hedges and trees. At Taylored Gardens we design and plant it as part of our full garden services, alongside the hard landscaping that gives a garden its structure, and as part of the wider garden design.
Soft landscaping is the living side of a garden: lawns and turf, flower beds, shrubs, hedges and trees, and the soil and mulch they grow in. Hard landscaping, by contrast, is the structure around it, such as paths, patios and walls. However, ponds and other water features are a separate service.
Soft landscaping we design and plant
We design the planting as part of our wider garden services, to add natural beauty, colour and texture, and to give you a garden you can enjoy through the seasons. In practice, it usually covers:
- Plants: a diverse range of plants that suit your garden and complement each other, chosen for colour, height and blooming season to give year-round interest. We also use bedding plants for seasonal colour.
- Flowers: flower beds designed to give continuous blooms, with colour and fragrance. In addition, our designs often feature raised flower beds to add structure and visual interest.
- Trees: trees add structure and height, and provide shade, beauty and habitat for local wildlife. Alongside the trees, we plant shrubs for structure and colour through the year.
- Turf: a lush, green lawn is the foundation of many garden designs, so we install high-quality turf, a soft, inviting surface for relaxation and recreation. The RHS has practical advice on lawns.
Where the design needs it, our hard landscaping service can build the paths, patios and walls around these planting features.
How soft and hard landscaping work together
Hard landscaping provides the structure, drainage and foundations for a garden, and soft landscaping fills that structure with living elements. When planned together, they give the garden a natural flow and a pleasing arrangement. In addition, our designs consider the specific needs of your garden, including soil type, sunlight and climate, so that every plant thrives.
Planting that suits your garden
Good soft landscaping improves how a garden works as well as how it looks. Brick walls, for example, can be a structural and aesthetic feature that supports climbers and other plants. Overall, a well-designed garden can serve as an extension of your living space, a setting for outdoor activities, relaxation and entertaining.
One team for the whole garden
Taylored Gardens provides soft and hard landscaping as part of our complete garden services, so the planting and the structure around it are planned together. To start, we work closely with you to understand your vision and preferences, and then prepare a personalised design that reflects your style and meets your needs. Natural materials take priority, to ensure that our designs are both beautiful and environmentally friendly.
Our soft landscaping covers gardens across Surrey, London and Middlesex, including Richmond, Kingston, Esher, Surbiton, Teddington and Twickenham.
Garden design and landscaping services
Frequently asked questions
Soft landscaping: common questions
Soft landscaping is the living part of a garden: lawns, flower beds, shrubs, hedges and trees. Hard landscaping is the built structure around it, such as paths, patios and walls.
Yes. We provide both soft and hard landscaping as part of our full garden services, so the planting and the structure can be planned together. You can read more on our hard landscaping page.
Book a free garden consultation. It starts with a phone call, then photographs of your garden, then a visit to the garden.