Joe Perkins | Landscape & Garden Design

It’s nearly May and that can only mean one thing in the garden world, it’s nearly time for The Chelsea Flower Show 🙌 Our 2022 gold medal winning Chelsea Flower Show garden, The Meta Garden, Growing the Future, really was a dream job and the team that made it happen were all incredible to work with. It’s such a privilege to be able to build a garden at the show and as designers it gives us the platform to be really creative and think outside of the box. We get to experiment in ways that we’re not able to usually and to collaborate with amazing people working in different fields. We relocated the garden to the National Forest so you can still visit it if you didn’t get the chance to at the show. Really looking forward to seeing all the gardens this year and good luck to everyone taking part! There’s always so much inspiring work and so many ideas to take home. They don’t call it the greatest flower show in the world for nothing! . . . . . #rhschelsea #rhschelseaflowershow #showgarden #gardendesigner #landscapedesigner #gardeninspo #garden #gardeningtips #gardeninspirations #backyarddesign #jardin #paisajistas #timberconstruction #decking #reclaimedtimber #wildflowers #wildflowermeadow #pollinatorgarden #sustainabledesign #woodlands #britishwoodland

Throwback Thursday! This one's an oldie but a goodie! Country garden in West Sussex. When the client moved into the property there was a big expanse of lawn at the back, front and everywhere really! Our objective was to provide a more intimate setting to the immediate area for entertaining whilst still allowing and encouraging the views out to the wider landscape. How did we do this? Planting, planting and more planting!! Built by the outstanding @theoutdoorroom . . . . #countrygarden #countryproperty #countryliving #gardeninspiration #instagardenlovers #instagarden #gardendesigner #gardendesigns #gardenplanning #plantingdesign #alliums #willowtree #springgarden #garden #throwbackthursday #wildlifegarden #beefriendlygarden #joeperkinsdesign

We’ve been chatting to Steve, Senior Gardener at Sheffield Park and Gardens, about their biodiversity audit and butterflies—a subject very close to his heart—and how it ties into the park and our new project there, ‘Garden for the Future.’ This is what Steve has reported back to us: “For the past few years, we’ve been running butterfly surveys in our garden, which officially began about three years ago. Initially, biodiversity was a secondary focus, but as we started working with Joe, it quickly became clear that it should be a primary goal for our new space.” Conducting a biodiversity audit is crucial for projects like these. It helps us understand the health of the ecosystem, guides future planting decisions, and ensures we create spaces that support a rich variety of wildlife. Informed by this data, we can create gardens that aren’t just beautiful but are also thriving, sustainable habitats for species like butterflies and other pollinators. The temporary wild flowers in the ‘Garden for the Future’ not only looked beautiful but have played an important role to help bring in more pollinators. They have been cut down now and although we’re sad to see them go we’re very much looking forward to planting the garden next spring! And! Thanks to Steve’s efforts, we’ve gathered vital data that will shape the future of the garden and the whole of Sheffield Park. In the baseline survey, only meadow browns were recorded, but this year, we’ve documented: - Silver-washed fritillary
- Green-veined white
-Small blue (first-time record!)
-Meadow brown
-Red admiral Although numbers are down this year, the appearance of the Small blue is a positive sign for biodiversity growth in the garden. We’ve also spotted more species that will help inform future planting decisions to support wildlife. . . . . . #gardendesign #gardendesigns #gardendesignideas #landscapedesign #landscapedesigner #gardeninspo #gardeninspiration #wildlifegarden #wildlifeconservation #pollinatorgarden #pollinatorplants #biodiversity #butterflys #butterflygarden

Among our funded gardens for good causes of 2025 is The King’s Trust Garden: Seeding Success, designed by Joe Perkins. Swipe to learn more. 💚 The King’s Trust believes that every young person should have the chance to succeed, no matter their background or the challenges they are facing, helping young people from disadvantaged communities and those facing the greatest adversity by supporting them to build the confidence and skills to live, learn and earn. After the show, the garden will become an outdoor learning and garden space for students at Uxbridge College, West London. It will be used, developed and maintained by students and members of the local community, including young people enrolled on Trust programmes. 🌿 Learn more: givingback.org.uk

Here’s a peek at the masterplan of one of our Sussex projects! This contemporary garden design compliments our clients’ stunning recently built modern home. We’ve focused on creating a beautiful flow where before the garden lacked a human scale and direction. We’ve done this with added structure and a degree of formality to offer improved views, introducing some asymmetry to add movement within the space, and a prioritising a welcoming sense of arrival as you approach the house. The cars? Tucked neatly out of sight, keeping the focus on the garden and the house. As a nod to the client’s love of Japanese gardens, we’ve included a tranquil Japanese-inspired corner. This features a serene water pool and a beautiful pergola draped in wisteria—a perfect spot for reflection and relaxation. Beyond that, the wider landscape includes a wildlife pond and a vibrant wildflower meadow, creating a haven for pollinators and blending seamlessly into the local surroundings. Currently being built by @verdelandscapes we can’t wait to see this garden come to life next spring! ABOUT: Joe Perkins Design is a multi-award-winning landscape design consultancy, creating innovative outdoor spaces that celebrate the environment, wildlife, and biodiversity. Working across the U.K. and internationally, we partner with clients who share our passion for sustainable and visionary design. Discover more about our work at: joeperkinsdesign.com . . . . . #gardendesigns #gardendesignideas #gardendesigner #landscapedesigns #landscapeplanning #gardenplanning #contemporarygarden #gardeninspiration #garden #gardentips #japanesegarden #pergola #wildflowermeadow #wildlifepond

Just a reminder it’s bare-root season, the best time to plant roses and other shrubs and trees at minimal cost. One of our clients sent us these gorgeous photos last summer, showing her pergola absolutely covered in flowering roses! We planted some of our favourite roses, including  Rosa Albrighton Rambler, a Shropshire lad, Bobbie James, and The Generous Gardener- all from @david_austin_roses If this has you dreaming of your own rose-covered pergola, now’s the time to act! Bare root roses are super easy to plant this time of year, and they’ll be ready to burst into life by summer. Need help choosing the right ones? Or advice on how to get started? Drop us a message—we’d love to chat about your garden plans! ABOUT: Joe Perkins Design is a multi-award-winning landscape design consultancy, creating innovative outdoor spaces that celebrate the environment, wildlife, and biodiversity. Working across the U.K. and internationally, we partner with clients who share our passion for sustainable and visionary design. Discover more about our work at: joeperkinsdesign.com . . . . . #gardendesign #gardendesigner #garden #gardening #gardentips #countrygarden #summergarden #backyardgarden #backyarddesign #climbingroses #ramblingrose

A visit to @kelwaysplantslangport nursery in Somerset to check on the progress of plants for two of our most exciting projects: The Chelsea Flower Show and the National Trust’s Sheffield Park and Gardens. We’re thrilled to report that the plants are thriving, thanks to the expert care and dedication of Dave Root and his talented team. Their passion and precision ensure that each plant is grown to perfection, ready to shine in these landmark projects. Seeing these plants coming along so beautifully reminds us of the power of collaboration between garden designers and growers. It’s these partnerships that make truly special landscapes possible. Stay tuned as we share more about these projects as they come to life! . . . . . #chelseaflowershow #chelseaflowershow2025 #rhschelsea #rhs #nationaltrust #nationaltrustgardens #showgarden #kingstrust #thekingstrust #projectgivingback #gardensforgoodcauses #allaboutplants #gardendesign #gardendesigner #gardendesignideas

Bulb setting out is the finishing touch to any planting design, whether it’s bulbs, rhizomes, corms, or tubers! These little powerhouses bring life and beauty to gardens, offering bursts of seasonal colour and texture. One of our recent Sussex projects will showcase an incredible variety of species, including beloved natives like Galanthus nivalis, Fritillaria meleagris, Leucojum aestivum, and Anemone nemorosa ‘Robinsoniana’. A huge thank you to @gee_tee_bulbs and @jparkersbulbs for providing these stunning specimens – we can’t wait to see them pop up! By scattering bulbs naturalistically, we’ve created a design that feels organic, with signature pops of colour appearing throughout the year. These thoughtful touches ensure that every season offers something, making the garden a dynamic, ever-changing space. From the first snowdrops of winter to the joyful nod of spring fritillaries, bulbs add depth and intrigue to any garden design. Have you started your bulb planting yet? Let us know your favourites in the comments below! ABOUT: Joe Perkins Design is a multi-award-winning landscape design consultancy, creating innovative outdoor spaces that celebrate the environment, wildlife, and biodiversity. Working across the U.K. and internationally, we partner with clients who share our passion for sustainable and visionary design. Discover more about our work at: joeperkinsdesign.com . . . . . #garden #gardendesign #gardeninspiration #gardentips #springbulbs #gardenbuild #landscapedesign #landscapedesigner

A beautiful Autumn morning at this project in Hampshire, where grasses create a backdrop of movement and texture behind the new evergreen structural planting. Here you can see drifts of Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’ and Hackonechloa macra in front of a beautiful existing Birch and new Pinus sylvestris ‘Watereri’. At this time of year when deciduous plants die back, this is a structured design with some important evergreen elements which make a beautiful view from the kitchen and living areas of the house. As well as giving great interest and presence in the garden during the winter months, evergreen species provide essential shelter for invertebrates and small mammals, so a win-win! . . . . . #gardendesignideas #garden #gardendesigns #evergreenplants #plantingideas #ferns #gardeninspiration #backyarddesign #joeperkinsdesign #autumngarden #wintergarden

Well, here we are—the final reel in our tree series! Steve and I are officially heartbroken (seriously, we’ve loved every moment of sharing these incredible trees with you). But we couldn’t think of a better way to wrap things up than with the spectacular Metasequoia, AKA the Dawn Redwood. Why this tree is a showstopper:
This one’s a bit of a legend. Feathery, fresh green needles in spring and summer, a jaw-dropping display of golden and coppery hues in autumn, and in winter? Its sculptural silhouette and reddish bark absolutely steal the show. It’s like the tree version of an Oscar winner—always stunning, always in the spotlight. Perfect for any garden vision: 
If you’ve got space for this fast-growing beauty, it’ll reward you with decades of shade, height, and texture. Plus, it’s not too fussy—just give it some sunlight, moist soil, and room to grow, and it’ll thrive while looking effortlessly elegant. A tree with a story: 
The Dawn Redwood has serious history cred. It was thought to be extinct until rediscovered in China in the 1940s—basically a botanical mic drop. Now, it’s a favourite in gardens worldwide, connecting us to the Earth’s ancient past while looking downright modern in a landscape. We think conifers are making a serious comeback, no joke! Thanks for joining us on this tree-filled adventure! We’ve had so much fun geeking out over these leafy legends with you. Got a favourite from the series? Drop it in the comments—we’d love to hear which one stole your heart 🌳💚🙌 . . . . . #sequoia #sequoiatrees #treelovers #treesforthefuture #nationaltrustgardens #sheffieldparkandgarden #garden #gardentips #gardendesignideas #gardendesigns #gardeninspiration #gardeninglove #gardeningtips

My kind of shopping! Oli and I recently ventured deep into the beautiful Sussex countryside on a mission: to find the perfect pieces of timber for our Chelsea Flower Show furniture! It’s all about selecting pieces with character and most importantly the right shape, so Oli can work with the grain of the wood. Our benches will be curved so we needed to find extra big pieces as they will each be carved from one piece. We explored and selected massive tree trunks—each weighing several tonnes! These aren’t just materials; they’re pieces of nature with history and soul, ready to be transformed as Oli carves them into bespoke furniture. The process is as much about connection as creation—feeling the material, imagining its transformation, and celebrating its natural origins. Stay tuned as these impressive trunks are shaped into stunning pieces that will take pride of place in our Chelsea garden. What do you think—can you already see the potential? Let us know in the comments! 👇 . . . . . #rhschelsea #rhschelsea2024 #rhschelseaflowershow #rhs #showgarden #timber #timberfurniture #gardensforgoodcauses #allaboutplants #projectgivingback #gardendesignideas #gardendesigns #gardeninspiration

The absolutely beautiful Gingko biloba AKA Maidenhair tree is the oldest known living tree species! Ginkgo trees are living fossils that haven’t changed for almost 200 million years. This tree grows almost anywhere, in both hot and cold zones, and it copes well in punishing conditions; from urban environments full of air pollution, to bad soil conditions, and even poor watering conditions, yet it still thrives! Because of their ability to withstand most environmental conditions, ginkgo trees have earned themselves a lot of popularity, especially in urban settings. There is no denying the ginkgo is a tough tree. It tolerates compacted soil, acidic soil, salt, and pollution. The list is almost endless. Combined with its disease and pest resistance, the ginkgo is virtually indestructible. For these reasons, the ginkgo is often planted in cities, especially along streets. Not many trees can withstand the soil compaction and lack of oxygen associated with street tree planting. The only downsides to planting ginkgo trees is that they grow quite slowly. Oh, and the fruit has a smell somewhere between rotting flesh and vomit. Luckily the tree are individually male or female, and only the female produces the fruit so go for male trees if you can! . . . . . #ginkgotree #ginkgobiloba #ginkgo #nationaltreeweek #gardeninspiration #gardentips #gardendesignideas #garden #nationaltrustgardens #nationaltrust #greatbritishgardens