Gardening is good – and does good What the RHS State of Gardening Report 2025 means for UK gardens Gardening is often described as a hobby, but the Royal Horticultural Society’s first ever State of Gardening Report 2025 confirms something much bigger. For the first time, the true scale and impact of gardening across the…
Garden paving Choosing paving that lasts: slabs, setts, colours and textures explained by designers and installers Paving is one of the longest-lasting decisions you can make in a garden. Get the materials, construction and detail right and a patio will sit comfortably in place for two or three decades. Get any of them wrong and…
Garden centres How to get the best out of your local garden centre visits If you enjoy gardening, whether that means planting out borders, refreshing containers or just browsing for something new, a good garden centre is one of the most useful resources you have. And here in South West London and Surrey, we are…
Garden pests and diseases How to spot, prevent, and deal with common garden problems. Don’t let garden pests and diseases ruin your hard work! In this blog post, we’ll help you identify and tackle some of the most common issues that can plague your plants. From pesky aphids and slugs to fungal infections like powdery…
Lawn renovation How to bring a tired, patchy lawn back to life Most domestic lawns need renovation work at some point. Compaction, moss, thinning grass, bare patches and weed pressure are the usual issues, and they almost always come down to the same underlying problems: poor drainage, the wrong cutting regime, insufficient feeding, or shade…
Echinacea A tough, reliable perennial that looks great and supports pollinators. Discover the best Echinacea for Kingston, Surbiton, Esher and Coombe gardens, which cultivars actually last, how to improve heavy London Clay, and why spring planting makes all the difference. Echinacea is not a shy plant. When it is happy, it stands tall, holds its…
Echinacea A tough, reliable perennial that looks great and supports pollinators. Discover the best Echinacea for Kingston gardens, which varieties actually last, how to improve clay soil, and why spring planting makes all the difference. Echinacea is not a shy plant. When it is happy, it stands tall, holds its head high and flowers for…
Evergreen structures How to give your garden shape and structure all year round. Evergreen structure is the quiet architecture of a garden. It is the backbone that stays standing through winter storms, summer heat and all the in-between months. When perennials retreat and grasses collapse, it is the evergreens that hold everything together and stop…
Outdoor cooking Turn your garden into a space for cooking, eating, and entertaining. Outdoor kitchens have moved from holiday-home indulgence to genuine garden architecture — a properly designed cooking and entertaining space that lasts thirty winters, not three summers. At Flourish Landscaping, we design and build outdoor kitchens for clients across Kingston, Surbiton, Esher and…
Patio design How to design a patio that works for your home and garden. A patio is the most-used space in most British gardens, the surface that gets walked over a thousand times a year and judged every time. Get it right and it lifts the entire garden. Get it wrong — wrong material, wrong…
Spring planting What to plant in spring for the best summer displays. Spring is the most consequential moment in the gardening year. The choices made between late February and mid-May set the tone for everything that follows. Soil is finally workable, daylight lengthens by several minutes each day, and root growth races ahead of leaf…
Small gardens Big ideas for making the most of a small garden. In London and its suburbs, our gardens are precious spaces. While they may be getting smaller, our ambitions for them are not. A modern garden needs to be a dining room, a lounge, a playground and a tranquil escape, all within a compact…
Growing climbers How to use climbers to soften walls, fences, and pergolas. Annual climbers are the extroverts of the garden. Loud, fast, occasionally unruly, and utterly joyful. They take a bare fence or pergola and turn it into something theatrical within weeks. No long-term commitment, no digging out woody roots later, just one glorious season…
Garden costs in Kingston, Surbiton, Esher and Coombe What really affects the cost of landscaping a garden. One of the most common questions we are asked by homeowners in Kingston, Surbiton, Esher and Coombe is simply, “How much does a garden cost?” It is a fair question, and the honest answer is that it depends…
Choosing the perfect garden fencing for your outdoor space When it comes to garden fencing, wooden garden fencing is a classic and timeless way to add privacy and security to your outdoor space. In the UK, there are various types of wooden fencing styles that you can choose from to enhance your garden’s beauty and…
Low maintenance garden A garden that looks great without taking over your life. Achieving a picturesque garden without the burden of constant upkeep is no longer a dream. In this guide, we unveil the finest plants ideal for crafting a serene and low-maintenance garden sanctuary. From resilient perennials like lavender and sedum to evergreen shrubs…
Drought tolerant gardens How to design a garden that copes better with dry summers. Helping your plants survive the summer sun with garden irrigation Summer is a fantastic season for enjoying your garden, but it can be tough on your plants, particularly when it comes to providing them with sufficient water. With high temperatures and…
Garden irrigation Smarter ways to keep your garden watered efficiently. Helping your plants survive the summer sun with garden irrigation Summer is a fantastic season for enjoying your garden, but it can be tough on your plants, particularly when it comes to providing them with sufficient water. With high temperatures and limited rainfall, it’s crucial…
Garden paving trends The materials and layouts shaping modern patios and paths. Paving is a key element of garden design, influencing both aesthetics and functionality. In 2025, we’re seeing a shift towards sustainable materials, bold patterns, and mixed textures, helping homeowners create stylish, long-lasting outdoor spaces. Whether you’re planning a new patio, pathway, or driveway,…
Dahlias: late summer garden colour Bold, beautiful flowers that keep going into autumn. If you want your garden in Kingston, Surbiton, or Richmond to stay vibrant right through late summer and autumn, dahlias are the answer. These show-stopping flowers burst into colour just as many other plants begin to fade, keeping your borders, beds, and…
Lawn seeding When and how to seed a lawn for the best results. As summer fades into autumn, now is the time to give your lawn some much-needed care and attention. Cooler temperatures and increased rainfall make autumn the ideal season for lawn seeding and repair. Here’s everything you need to know to improve your…
Pleached trees A stylish way to add privacy and structure to your garden. Pleached trees are one of the smartest ways to bring height, structure and privacy into any garden, especially in Surbiton, Kingston and the wider south west London clay belt. They create elegant green panels above a clear trunk, giving you screening without…
Designing your garden The key principles behind a garden that really works. Designing a garden should feel exciting, not overwhelming. Yet in our part of SW and West London, outdoor spaces come with their own quirks. Heavy clay soil, narrow side returns, overlooked boundaries, drainage puzzles and steep level changes all influence what is possible…
Garden privacy Smart ways to screen your garden without blocking out light. As gardens become extensions of our homes, privacy and personal retreat spaces are more important than ever. In 2025, garden privacy trends focus on natural barriers, stylish fencing, and innovative screening solutions that provide seclusion without compromising on design. Whether you want to create a…
Spring garden tidy The essential tidy-up that gets your garden ready for the year ahead. Spring is the perfect time to prepare your home for sale or rental, and your garden plays a crucial role in attracting buyers or tenants. A well-maintained outdoor space enhances kerb appeal, makes listing photos stand out, and adds value…
Garden colour trends 2025 The colours that will define gardens this year and beyond. Colour plays a vital role in garden design, influencing mood, atmosphere, and aesthetics. In 2025, we’re seeing a shift towards earthy, warm tones, bold accent colours, and natural textures that create inviting and harmonious outdoor spaces. Whether you’re refreshing your planting scheme…
Why autumn is the perfect time to plan your summer garden transformation Get ahead and design your new garden before everyone else does. The cost of waiting: what you risk If you wait until Spring: If you act this Autumn: Taking action: your Autumn garden planting checklist This week: This month: Before Christmas: New Year…
Water features Is a water feature right for your garden and what are your options? Water features are a key trend in 2025, adding elegance, relaxation, and biodiversity to outdoor spaces. From modern, minimalist fountains to eco-friendly wildlife ponds, water features are being designed to enhance both aesthetics and sustainability. Whether you’re looking for a…
Summer flowering plants Plants that will give you colour all summer long. Find out about the best summer flowering plants to add colour and beauty to your garden Summer is a time of vibrant colours and beautiful flowers. In this blog post, we’ll explore the best summer flowering plants for your garden, from classic favourites…
UK garden trends for 2026: the inside scoop from Britain’s leading designers What’s shaping garden design next year and how to use it at home. Forget what you think you know about British gardens 2026 is about to shake things up in the most deliciously unexpected ways, especially across Kingston and the surrounding areas, where…
Autumn gardening The key jobs to tackle in your garden before winter arrives. Essential tasks to get ahead this autumn. As autumn settles in, it’s tempting to leave garden tasks until spring, but preparing now can save you time and create the foundation for a vibrant garden when summer arrives. Whether you’re looking to enhance…
Boost kerb appeal Simple changes that make your home look better from the street. Your front garden is the first thing people see when they visit your home, and in 2025, functionality, sustainability, and striking design are shaping front garden trends. Whether you’re looking to improve kerb appeal, create a low-maintenance space, or add practical features,…
Victorian front gardens How to modernise a Victorian front garden without losing its character. Victorian and Edwardian front gardens in Kingston and Surbiton were never meant to be decorative extras. They were carefully composed entrance spaces that set the tone for the house before you reached the door. Their defining feature was the path: a…
Victorian tiled path A classic path design that suits period homes beautifully. At Flourish Landscaping, we understand the importance of creating a welcoming and captivating entrance to your home. That’s why we’re proud to offer our expertise in crafting Victorian garden paths that not only enhance your curb appeal but also pay homage to the…
Winter gardening Keep your garden healthy and interesting through the coldest months. Winter might seem like a time to retreat indoors, but it’s a crucial season for garden care and preparation. The milder winters often mean there’s still plenty you can do to keep your garden thriving. 1. Protect your plants Many plants need extra…
Wooden pergolas Add structure, shade, and style to your garden with a pergola At Flourish Landscaping, we’ve seen a surge in demand for bespoke wooden pergolas, and it’s easy to understand why. These timeless garden structures not only provide functional spaces for relaxation but also elevate your outdoor area’s aesthetic appeal. Whether you’re looking to…
Autumn planting Why autumn is one of the best times of year to plant As the weather cools and the leaves begin to fall, autumn is the perfect time to think ahead to your spring garden. Planting bulbs now ensures a vibrant display of flowers to welcome the new season. Whether you’re looking to fill…
Managing a flooded garden What causes garden flooding and what you can do about it. Are you grappling with clay soil around Kingston area that traps water or living in a flood-prone area giving you a flooded garden Fear not! My blog unveils actionable steps and resilient plant choices to rejuvenate your waterlogged garden into…
Winter garden prep Get your garden ready for winter and set it up for a strong spring. As the days shorten and a chill settles over SW London, a quiet, powerful transformation is happening in our gardens. Winter isn’t an end; it’s a vital period of rest and preparation. For gardens in Kingston, Richmond, and…
Planning your perfect garden How to plan a garden that really works for your space and lifestyle. As a local family-run landscaping business based in Kingston-upon-Thames we know that every great garden starts with a solid plan. The soil the shade and the surrounding architecture all play a part in what will thrive and how…
Weeding guide Simple, effective ways to keep weeds under control for good. Gardens across Kingston, Surbiton, Richmond, Twickenham and Esher are wonderful places to live and grow plants. They are also wonderful places for weeds, thanks to our damp Thames-side microclimate, rich clay soil and an enthusiastic local seed bank that predates most of the…
Roses for London gardens: best varieties for clay soil, front gardens and walls Roses have a reputation for being temperamental, but in reality they are some of the most generous, long-lived plants you can grow if you choose the right varieties and plant them properly. At Flourish, we design and plant gardens across Kingston, Surbiton,…
Eco-friendly alternatives to traditional bedding plants Butterfly Traditional bedding plants like petunias and begonias have long been a garden staple, but they often require high water usage, frequent replanting, and chemical fertilisers to thrive. As gardeners shift towards more sustainable practices, there’s growing interest in eco-friendly alternatives that support biodiversity and require less maintenance. Here’s…
Garden owners’s guide to Spring bulbs in Kingston and Surbiton Garden owner’s guide to spring bulbs in Kingston and Surbiton If you live in Kingston or Surbiton, you’ll know how welcome that first burst of colour is after a long winter. With the right mix of bulbs, your garden can stay full of life from…
Refreshing your borders: a naturalistic planting approach Many homeowners in Kingston and Surbiton come to Flourish Landscaping when their gardens have been slowly taken over by vigorous plants Homeowners in Kingston and Surbiton often turn to Flourish Landscaping when their gardens are overtaken by vigorous plants like butterfly bush, cherry laurel, self-sown sycamore, and green…
Stylish and practical fencing solutions Shaping how your garden feels, how private it is, how secure it is, and ultimately how much you enjoy using it. Fencing is no longer just a functional afterthought. It’s becoming a design feature in its own right, often working alongside modern garden layouts, outdoor living spaces, and lighting schemes….
Autumn and winter pot planting ideas for every space When the days get shorter and the garden starts to fade, your pots don’t have to. Autumn and winter are the perfect seasons to create calm, beautiful displays that lift your patio, courtyard, or balcony — bringing structure and colour through the coldest months. At Flourish,…
2026 garden lighting trends How lighting is changing the way we use our gardens at night. Garden lighting is more than just a practical addition—it creates ambiance, highlights key features, and extends the usability of your outdoor space into the evening. In 2026, homeowners are embracing smart, energy-efficient, and decorative lighting solutions to transform their gardens…
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Based in Kingston and Surbiton, we work within a five–mile radius — covering a focused patch of South West London and North Surrey.
Explore practical advice, planting guides and design ideas from our team.
