Urban country garden

Soften the hard lines of a town garden with bee-friendly wild flowers, herbs and roses. Choose furniture and accessories made of natural materials in gentle, muted tones for a sophisticated finish.

by homesandgardens

What's in this Moodboard?

Urban country garden by homesandgardens

Gain some privacy

Planning permission is needed to erect permanent structures to screen your space. Use trees such as beech and hornbeam that will let light in and make you feel secluded. These need not take up too much space in a confined plot - the trunks can be trimmed of branches up to head height.
Marks & Spencer

Designed by Conran, this chair will provide a contemporary update to a conservatory or garden.

Conran Faulks Armchair, H106xW102xD85cm, £699, Marks & Spencer
Snip, sow and dry herbs

Pick and sow herbs; according to the 17th-century gardener John Evelyn, herbs 'keep and retain their virtue and sweet smell, better dry’d in the shade than Sun, whatever some pretend'.
Check for bee swarms

Evelyn also reminds us to 'Look to your Bees for Swarmsand begin to destroy Insects gather snails after Rain' (Directions for the Gardiner and other Horticultural Advice, John Evelyn, edited by Maggie Campbell-Culver, Oxford University Press)

If you enjoyed this, why not take a look at our guide to plants and planting. Visit our dedicated garden pages, or, for the latest from the Homes & Gardens team, follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Helenium 'Moerheim Beauty'

Copper-scarlet flowers all summer.

Helenium 'Moerheim Beauty', H120cm, £7.99 for a 2-litre pot, Crocus

Were you inspired by this? Take a look at our selection of 10 of the best gardening buys from the Chelsea Flower Show 2012. Visit our dedicated garden shopping pages, or, for the latest from the team, follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Marston & Langinger

Handmade in England, this unique lead planter will improve with age.

Conical Strapped Lead Pot, H40xDiam40cm, £720, Marston & Langinger

Were you inspired by this selection? For more garden accessories, take a look at our choice of garden lanterns Visit our dedicated garden shopping pages or, for the latest from the team, follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Garden gate

Tempt, tease or simply please passers-by with the planting that surrounds your garden gate. Climbing and rambling plants with a scent will instantly attract the eye and the nose — here, an old-fashioned rose and a vine share the brick wall — while bushy-fronded plants of varying heights can sway in the breeze, adding sound to the mix. As seen here, fennel is a beautiful border plant and is an ideal herb to position near the garden gate; a natural digestive and breath sweetener, simply nip off a leaf or two and enjoy the delicate taste.

Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare ‘Giant Bronze’ from Crocus