Creating A Journey Through A Flat Garden by Nicki Jackson

Last time we explored the opportunities and challenges that level changes can bring to a garden. But what if your garden is fairly, if not completely, flat? In truth, that's the reality for most gardens we visit. Fortunately, creating interest isn't all about changing the levels - it's more about changing the experience.

There is a common misconception that an interesting garden needs dramatic terraces, sweeping steps or changes in height. But whilst these features can certainly add character, they aren't essential to making a garden interesting. Some of the most engaging gardens we've designed have been on sites where the ground is almost completely level.

The secret usually lies in resisting the temptation to reveal everything all at once. Imagine standing at your back door and being able to see every corner of the garden in a single glance. Whilst that may make the space feel open - and many clients do like that feeling - it also means there's little left to discover. By carefully controlling views, a garden can unfold gradually, encouraging you to venture further and experience each area in turn.

This doesn't mean we need to create a maze or block every single sightline. Instead, it might be as simple as introducing a carefully positioned tree, or a generous drift of ornamental grasses, or a pergola, or a change in the direction of a path. All of these elements can ‘interrupt the view’ just enough to create curiosity, offering glimpses of what lies beyond without revealing everything immediately.

Equally important is giving each part of the garden a purpose. A comfortable seat beneath a tree, a beautifully planted border, a sculpture, or even a specimen shrub can become a destination that gently draws you through the space. Even relatively small gardens can feel larger when they encourage movement rather than revealing themselves all at once.

As ever, planting also plays a significant role. By layering plants of different heights, repeating key species and colours throughout the garden, and framing particular views, it's possible to create a stronger sense of depth and cohesion without needing to create terraces.

Perhaps the greatest compliment we receive is when clients tell us they've discovered a new favourite spot in their own garden. Often, that place was always there - it simply needed the rest of the garden to lead them towards it.

Whether your garden is large or small, flat or sloping, our job as designers is ultimately about creating an experience for our clients. By carefully considering what people see, where they pause, and what encourages them to take a few more steps, an ordinary garden can become one that invites exploration rather than simply observation.

After all, we think the best gardens don't just give us somewhere to look… they give us somewhere to wander.

© Nicki Jackson, Blue Daisy Gardens 2026