Inspiration guide

Planting Schemes and Entrance Concepts

Finished-project planting for your driveway, patio and front garden. One decision, not forty.

How to use this page

One decision. Not forty.

A new driveway or patio is only half of the picture. What stands beside it decides how the whole project looks from the street.

Each scheme is a complete planting. The plants are chosen to work together and the sizes are stated.

Pick the moodLook for the scheme that feels like the house you want to come home to.
Check the situationEach scheme lists where it suits best: entrance, driveway, boundary, patio edge, shade or sun.
Tell your landscaperGive them the scheme name. Entrance schemes come in three sizes. Borders are planted per metre.

10 schemes

Entrance Transformations

A matched pair at the door and a border at its feet. Supplied as one bundle, in three sizes, to fit the space you have built.

Most front gardens give up in November. This one starts. A matched pair of shaped privet at the door, a bed of winter scent and flower below, and a house that looks cared for in the darkest months.

The Autumn & Winter Bundle — Entrance Transformation with Cloud Pruned Privet Pair

One order covers the whole entrance. The pair, the border plants and the sizes are already matched, so there are no plant choices to make.

What is planted: A hand-matched pair of Delavay privet, cloud pruned, 130 to 150cm at delivery.
Sarcococca confusa, Skimmia 'Rubella', Carex 'Evergold', hellebores and Cyclamen coum.
Size at delivery: Starter: 14 plants for 5 to 7 m²
Standard: 22 plants for 7 to 9 m²
Impactful: 36 plants for 9 to 12 m²
Best for: Front entrance, New driveway, Patio edge
Seasonal interest: Peak interest from November to March, with winter fragrance and flowers.
In winter: This is a winter scheme. Fragrance and flowers carry the bed from November to March.

Next scheme

Black, white, green and gold. Clean lines for a modern house, with a pair of bay lollipops that frame the door like a piece of design.

The Contemporary Monochrome — Entrance Transformation Bundle with Bay Lollipop Topiary Pair

One order covers the whole entrance. The pair, the border plants and the sizes are already matched, so there are no plant choices to make.

What is planted: A hand-matched pair of bay laurel lollipops, 80 to 100cm stem.
Black Ophiopogon, white Hydrangea 'Annabelle', golden Carex 'Evergold', Astrantia and a golden fern.
Size at delivery: Starter: 14 plants for 5 to 7 m²
Standard: 22 plants for 7 to 9 m²
Impactful: 36 plants for 9 to 12 m²
Best for: Front entrance, New driveway, Patio edge
Seasonal interest: A modern minimalist design built on contrast of colour and form.

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Two bay lollipops at the door and a purple, violet and silver border beneath. It is the entrance people picture when they say they want it to look smart.

The Formal Welcome — Entrance Transformation Bundle with Bay Lollipop Topiary Pair

One order covers the whole entrance. The pair, the border plants and the sizes are already matched, so there are no plant choices to make.

What is planted: A hand-matched pair of bay laurel lollipops, 80 to 100cm stem.
Lavender, Silver Carpet, Salvia, Allium and Nepeta.
Size at delivery: Starter: 14 plants for 5 to 7 m²
Standard: 22 plants for 7 to 9 m²
Impactful: 36 plants for 9 to 12 m²
Best for: Front entrance, New driveway, Patio edge
Seasonal interest: A classical border built around lavender and salvia.

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Scent from the first step up the path. Yew spirals at the door and a border that smells of something in every season it flowers.

The Fragrant Entrance — Entrance Transformation with English Yew Spiral Topiary Pair

One order covers the whole entrance. The pair, the border plants and the sizes are already matched, so there are no plant choices to make.

What is planted: A hand-matched pair of English yew spirals, 110 to 130cm at delivery.
Lavender 'Vera', David Austin rose 'Gertrude Jekyll', Philadelphus 'Belle Etoile', sweet rocket and sweet violet.
Size at delivery: Starter: 14 plants for 5 to 7 m²
Standard: 22 plants for 7 to 9 m²
Impactful: 36 plants for 9 to 12 m²
Best for: Front entrance, New driveway, Patio edge
Seasonal interest: Scent from winter through to summer.
In winter: Sweet violet carries scent into the colder months.

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A pair of clipped cubes at the door and a prairie border below. Contemporary at the entrance, soft everywhere else.

The Naturalistic Prairie — Entrance Transformation Bundle with Ilex Cube Topiary Pair

One order covers the whole entrance. The pair, the border plants and the sizes are already matched, so there are no plant choices to make.

What is planted: A hand-matched pair of Ilex crenata cubes, 50 to 60cm.
Pennisetum 'Hameln', Echinacea 'White Swan', Verbena bonariensis, Sedum 'Matrona' and Molinia 'Transparent'.
Size at delivery: Starter: 14 plants for 5 to 7 m²
Standard: 22 plants for 7 to 9 m²
Impactful: 36 plants for 9 to 12 m²
Best for: Front entrance, New driveway, Patio edge
Seasonal interest: Feathery grasses and movement.
In winter: Exceptional winter structure.

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Steel blue and silver around a pair of yew spirals. A cool, sharp entrance for a dry, sunny frontage.

The Silver & Blue Bundle — Entrance Transformation with English Yew Spiral Topiary Pair

One order covers the whole entrance. The pair, the border plants and the sizes are already matched, so there are no plant choices to make.

What is planted: A hand-matched pair of English yew spirals, 110 to 130cm at delivery.
Festuca 'Elijah Blue', Agapanthus 'Northern Star', Stachys 'Big Ears', Perovskia and Echinops.
Size at delivery: Starter: 14 plants for 5 to 7 m²
Standard: 22 plants for 7 to 9 m²
Impactful: 36 plants for 9 to 12 m²
Best for: Front entrance, New driveway, Patio edge
Seasonal interest: Exceptional drought tolerance.

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Roses, catmint and soft pinks around a pair of bay lollipops. The cottage-garden front door, delivered as one decision.

The Soft Romantic — Entrance Transformation Bundle with Bay Lollipop Topiary Pair

One order covers the whole entrance. The pair, the border plants and the sizes are already matched, so there are no plant choices to make.

What is planted: A hand-matched pair of bay laurel lollipops, 80 to 100cm stem.
David Austin rose 'Olivia Rose Austin', Nepeta, Geranium 'Rozanne', Alchemilla and Penstemon.
Size at delivery: Starter: 14 plants for 5 to 7 m²
Standard: 22 plants for 7 to 9 m²
Impactful: 36 plants for 9 to 12 m²
Best for: Front entrance, New driveway, Patio edge
Seasonal interest: A soft romantic cottage garden.

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A pair of photinia lollipops at the door and a hot border of gold, bronze and orange beneath. Summer kerb appeal that neighbours notice.

The Warm Summer Bundle — Entrance Transformation with Photinia Lollipop Topiary Pair

One order covers the whole entrance. The pair, the border plants and the sizes are already matched, so there are no plant choices to make.

What is planted: A hand-matched pair of Photinia 'Red Robin' lollipops, 80 to 100cm stem.
Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm', Helenium 'Moerheim Beauty', Crocosmia 'Lucifer', Echinacea and Miscanthus.
Size at delivery: Starter: 14 plants for 5 to 7 m²
Standard: 22 plants for 7 to 9 m²
Impactful: 36 plants for 9 to 12 m²
Best for: Front entrance, New driveway, Patio edge
Seasonal interest: Peaks from July to October.

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White flowers that glow at dusk. The entrance that looks its best when the homeowner gets back from work.

The White Evening Garden — Entrance Transformation Bundle with Portuguese Laurel Topiary Pair

One order covers the whole entrance. The pair, the border plants and the sizes are already matched, so there are no plant choices to make.

What is planted: A hand-matched pair of Portuguese laurel lollipops, 80 to 100cm stem.
Hydrangea 'Annabelle', white Astrantia, Geranium and Digitalis.
Size at delivery: Starter: 14 plants for 5 to 7 m²
Standard: 22 plants for 7 to 9 m²
Impactful: 36 plants for 9 to 12 m²
Best for: Front entrance, New driveway, Patio edge
Seasonal interest: Glows at dusk.

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A pair of clipped yew balls and a woodland bed for the shady entrance. Calm, green and well kept.

The Woodland Edge — Entrance Transformation Bundle with English Yew Ball Topiary Pair

One order covers the whole entrance. The pair, the border plants and the sizes are already matched, so there are no plant choices to make.

What is planted: A hand-matched pair of English yew balls, 50 to 60cm.
Astilbe 'Deutschland', Brunnera 'Jack Frost', Tiarella, male fern and Helleborus.
Size at delivery: Starter: 14 plants for 5 to 7 m²
Standard: 22 plants for 7 to 9 m²
Impactful: 36 plants for 9 to 12 m²
Best for: Shaded front entrance, Partial to full shade, Driveway edge
Seasonal interest: Thrives in partial to full shade.

10 schemes

Borders by the Metre

A lead plant and a planted border, per metre. Measure the run, and the scheme scales to it.

Warm amber, rust and burgundy against a fence or a wall. It is the border that makes a new boundary look settled, and it arrives matched, ready to plant.

The Autumn Gold — Border by the Metre with Photinia 'Red Robin' Lollipop Topiary

Measure the run in metres. The scheme is planted per metre, so the plan scales to your boundary without a redesign.

What is planted: Photinia 'Red Robin' lollipop, 40 to 60cm, as the lead plant.
Crocosmia 'Lucifer', Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm', Sedum 'Matrona' and Miscanthus grass.
Size at delivery: Planted at 1m long by 0.6m deep per metre
8 border plants per metre
Scales to any length
Best for: Boundary, New driveway edge, Front garden
Seasonal interest: Peaks from August to October.
In winter: Exceptional winter structure.

Next scheme

Blush pink, lilac and lime. A soft, generous border that makes a driveway edge feel like a garden.

The Cottage Drift — Border by the Metre with Ilex Crenata Ball Topiary

Measure the run in metres. The scheme is planted per metre, so the plan scales to your boundary without a redesign.

What is planted: Ilex crenata ball, 30 to 40cm, as the lead plant.
Geranium 'Rozanne', Alchemilla, Nepeta 'Walker's Low' and Penstemon 'Garnet'.
Size at delivery: Planted at 1m long by 0.6m deep per metre
9 border plants per metre
Scales to any length
Best for: Boundary, New driveway edge, Front garden
Seasonal interest: Exceptionally long flowering, May to November.

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Deep green, silver and purple in a formal line. The classic frontage, planted to the metre and sized to your run.

The Formal Edge — Border by the Metre with Ilex or Bay Lollipop Topiary

Measure the run in metres. The scheme is planted per metre, so the plan scales to your boundary without a redesign.

What is planted: Ilex crenata ball, 30 to 40cm, or bay lollipop, 40 to 60cm (your choice).
Lavender 'Hidcote', Silver Carpet, Salvia 'Caradonna' and Allium 'Globemaster'.
Size at delivery: Planted at 1m long by 0.6m deep per metre
8 border plants per metre
Scales to any length
Best for: Boundary, New driveway edge, Front garden
Seasonal interest: A timeless formal style.

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A path you can smell before you see it. Bay at the lead, lavender and rose at the edge, and a border that rewards every pass.

The Fragrant Path — Border by the Metre with Aromatic Bay Lollipop Topiary

Measure the run in metres. The scheme is planted per metre, so the plan scales to your boundary without a redesign.

What is planted: Aromatic bay lollipop, 40 to 60cm, as the lead plant.
Lavender 'Vera', catmint, sweet violet and a fragrant rose.
Size at delivery: Planted at 1m long by 0.6m deep per metre
7 border plants per metre
Scales to any length
Best for: Boundary, New driveway edge, Front garden
Seasonal interest: Year-round fragrance, peaking May to September.
In winter: Sweet violet brings winter scent.

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Feathery grasses, see-through flowers and a ball or cube at the base. A prairie border that moves in the wind and still holds its line.

The Naturalistic Grass — Border by the Metre with Ilex Cube or Yew Ball Topiary

Measure the run in metres. The scheme is planted per metre, so the plan scales to your boundary without a redesign.

What is planted: Ilex crenata cube, 30 to 40cm, or English yew ball, 30 to 40cm (your choice).
Pennisetum 'Hameln', Molinia 'Transparent', Verbena bonariensis and Echinacea 'White Swan'.
Size at delivery: Planted at 1m long by 0.6m deep per metre
8 border plants per metre
Scales to any length
Best for: Boundary, New driveway edge, Front garden
Seasonal interest: Feathery grasses and see-through planting.
In winter: Exceptional winter structure.

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The shaded side of the house is the one nobody plants. This border is built for it, in deep green, white flower and silver leaf.

The Shaded Woodland — Border by the Metre with English Yew Ball Topiary

Measure the run in metres. The scheme is planted per metre, so the plan scales to your boundary without a redesign.

What is planted: English yew ball, 30 to 40cm, as the lead plant.
Astilbe 'Diamant', Brunnera 'Jack Frost', male fern and Helleborus.
Size at delivery: Planted at 1m long by 0.6m deep per metre
7 border plants per metre
Scales to any length
Best for: Shaded boundary, Partial to full shade, Front garden
Seasonal interest: Winter to spring interest. Thrives in partial to full shade.
In winter: Interest runs through winter into spring.

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A cool-toned border for a modern frontage. Silver, steel blue and deep green, with either a tall spiral or a clipped yew ball to lead it.

The Silver & Blue — Border by the Metre with Cupressus Spiral or Yew Ball Topiary

Measure the run in metres. The scheme is planted per metre, so the plan scales to your boundary without a redesign.

What is planted: Cupressus spiral, 130 to 150cm, or English yew ball, 30 to 40cm (your choice).
Festuca 'Elijah Blue', Agapanthus 'Northern Star', Stachys 'Big Ears' and Perovskia 'Blue Spire'.
Size at delivery: Planted at 1m long by 0.6m deep per metre
8 border plants per metre
Scales to any length
Best for: Boundary, New driveway edge, Front garden
Seasonal interest: Exceptional drought tolerance.

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Gold, bronze and orange in full sun. A prairie border that fills a boundary with colour from midsummer.

The Warm Meadow — Border by the Metre with Photinia 'Red Robin' Lollipop Topiary

Measure the run in metres. The scheme is planted per metre, so the plan scales to your boundary without a redesign.

What is planted: Photinia 'Red Robin' lollipop, 40 to 60cm, as the lead plant.
Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm', Helenium 'Moerheim Beauty', Echinacea 'Magnus' and Crocosmia 'Lucifer'.
Size at delivery: Planted at 1m long by 0.6m deep per metre
8 border plants per metre
Scales to any length
Best for: Boundary, New driveway edge, Front garden
Seasonal interest: Peaks from July to October.

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Pure white, silver and deep green along a path or boundary. It lifts at dusk and it photographs well.

The White Garden — Border by the Metre with Yew Ball or Bay Lollipop Topiary

Measure the run in metres. The scheme is planted per metre, so the plan scales to your boundary without a redesign.

What is planted: English yew ball, 30 to 40cm, or bay lollipop, 40 to 60cm (your choice).
Hydrangea 'Annabelle', white aster, Geranium 'Album' and white foxglove.
Size at delivery: Planted at 1m long by 0.6m deep per metre
8 border plants per metre
Scales to any length
Best for: Boundary, New driveway edge, Front garden
Seasonal interest: Continuous white flowers from June to September. Glows at dusk.

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Red berries, white flowers and winter scent along a boundary. A border that earns its place from November to March.

The Winter Structure — Border by the Metre with Variegated Holly Lollipop Topiary

Measure the run in metres. The scheme is planted per metre, so the plan scales to your boundary without a redesign.

What is planted: Variegated holly lollipop, 40 to 60cm, as the lead plant.
Helleborus, Carex 'Evergold', Cyclamen coum and sweet box (Sarcococca).
Size at delivery: Planted at 1m long by 0.6m deep per metre
8 border plants per metre
Scales to any length
Best for: Boundary, New driveway edge, Front garden
Seasonal interest: Peak interest from November to March.
In winter: Winter fragrance from the sweet box, with berries and white flowers.

7 schemes

Architectural Collections

Shaped forms in graduated sizes. Set out on a patio edge, in a courtyard or in a raised planter.

Ten cones in three heights, stepped like a skyline. They line a boundary with rhythm and give a patio edge a back wall of green on the first day.

The Cone Array — Architectural Collection with Yew or Holly Sentinel Cones

The graduated sizes are already chosen. The group arrives as one composition, ready to set out.

What is planted: Ten cones in graduated heights, in English yew or Ilex crenata (your choice).
Optional Molinia 'Transparent' vertical echo, 5 plants.
Size at delivery: Tall: 4 at 130 to 150cm
Medium: 3 at 90 to 110cm
Small: 3 at 50 to 70cm
Best for: Boundary, Patio edge, Driveway edge
Seasonal interest: Built on structure rather than flower.
In winter: Exceptional winter interest.

Next scheme

Sharp edges and flat tops in a grid. Ten yew cubes turn a plain paved area into a designed space.

The Cube Matrix — Architectural Collection with English Yew Cubes

The graduated sizes are already chosen. The group arrives as one composition, ready to set out.

What is planted: Ten English yew cubes in graduated sizes, with one large anchor.
Optional Pennisetum 'Hameln' movement accent, 6 plants.
Size at delivery: Small: 6 at 30 to 40cm
Medium: 3 at 50 to 60cm
Large: 1 anchor at 70 to 80cm
Best for: Architectural garden, Patio edge, Courtyard
Seasonal interest: Contemporary minimalism for architectural gardens.

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Eleven small standards in tight repetition. A living sculpture for a raised planter or a courtyard, and a statement that needs no explaining.

The Lollipop Forest — Architectural Collection with Massed Mini Lollipops

The graduated sizes are already chosen. The group arrives as one composition, ready to set out.

What is planted: Eleven lollipop standards with identical 20 to 30cm canopies, in bay laurel or Delavay privet (your choice).
Optional Ophiopogon 'Nigrescens' black carpet, 15 plants.
Size at delivery: Mini: 6 at 20 to 40cm stem
Quarter: 5 at 80 to 100cm stem
Best for: Raised planter, Contemporary courtyard, Patio edge
Seasonal interest: Repetition is the design.

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Nine bay lollipops at three heights. Formal, aromatic and tidy, with the look of a planting that was always meant to be there.

The Lollipop Trio — Architectural Collection with Bay Laurel Elevated Standards

The graduated sizes are already chosen. The group arrives as one composition, ready to set out.

What is planted: Nine bay laurel lollipop standards in three heights, all with aromatic evergreen canopies.
Optional Carex 'Evergold' golden underplanting, 7 plants.
Size at delivery: Mini: 5 at 20 to 40cm stem
Quarter: 3 at 40 to 60cm stem
Half: 1 at 80 to 100cm stem
Best for: Formal entrance, Driveway edge, Patio edge
Seasonal interest: Evergreen, aromatic canopies.
In winter: The canopies are evergreen.

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Balls, cubes and cones in one species. The shapes do the talking and the single plant keeps it calm.

The Mixed Geometry — Architectural Collection with Balls, Cubes & Cones

The graduated sizes are already chosen. The group arrives as one composition, ready to set out.

What is planted: Nine English yew forms: 3 balls, 3 cubes and 3 cones.
Optional mixed grasses, 4 Festuca and 4 Carex.
Size at delivery: Balls: 3 at 40 to 50cm
Cubes: 3 at 40 to 50cm
Cones: 3 at 50 to 60cm
Best for: Designer garden, Patio edge, Courtyard
Seasonal interest: Eclectic contemporary design.

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Ten balls from small to large, with one focal point. Pure geometry for a courtyard or a raised planter.

The Sphere Gradient — Architectural Collection with Graduated English Yew Balls

The graduated sizes are already chosen. The group arrives as one composition, ready to set out.

What is planted: Ten English yew or Ilex balls in graduated sizes.
Optional Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' accent, 5 plants.
Size at delivery: Small: 6 at 20 to 30cm
Medium: 3 at 40 to 50cm
Large: 1 focal point at 60 to 70cm
Best for: Courtyard, Raised planter, Patio edge
Seasonal interest: Exceptionally hardy.

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Nine spirals rising from knee height to a tower of 150 to 170cm. A vertical statement for a courtyard or a corner that needs a feature.

The Spiral Ascent — Architectural Collection with Graduated Spiral Topiary

The graduated sizes are already chosen. The group arrives as one composition, ready to set out.

What is planted: Nine spirals in graduated heights, in Ilex crenata or English yew (your choice).
Optional Stipa tenuissima soft base, 6 plants.
Size at delivery: Base: 4 at 60 to 80cm
Mid: 3 at 110 to 130cm
Tower: 2 at 150 to 170cm
Best for: Courtyard, Corner feature, Patio edge
Seasonal interest: Contemporary formality.

Questions homeowners ask

Before you decide

How big will it be on day one?

Every scheme lists the size at delivery. That is the height and spread you see once it is planted.

Will it suit my site?

Each scheme names the best situations. Shade schemes say so. Drought-tolerant schemes say so.

What does it look like in winter?

Where a scheme has winter structure, fragrance or flower, it says so under In winter.

What maintenance is involved?

These are living plants. They need watering while they settle in and an occasional clip to keep their shape. Ask your landscaper for a simple routine.

Can I mix schemes?

Yes. Many projects pair an entrance scheme with a border run along the boundary.

Do I have to choose plants?

No. The plants in each scheme are already matched. You choose the mood.

Next step

Choose the scheme you like

Show your landscaper the scheme you want. Your landscaper can arrange supply and planting as part of your project.