There are many aspects of design in a garden. The designer needs to understand how the garden will be used, and ensure that the layout facilitates this, whether in terms of the positioning and size of spaces, the choice of materials used, the width of paths, accessibility for wheelchair users etc. The garden also needs to have a sense of place, connecting to its surroundings and context. And it needs to work aesthetically, throughout all of the seasons in which it is in use.

In the articles below, I provide an analysis of aspects of gardens that I have visited, assessing what I consider works or could potentially be improved. These are very much my own opinion, based on my understanding of the gardens and their intended use; many other designers, and indeed visitors, will have very different perspectives.