Expert advice

Embrace the unexpected

- HANNAH STEPHENSON

HIDDEN corners, secluded seating and standout statues can all create an element of surprise.

If you’re fed up with rectangular lawns, straight flower borders and predictable planting, maybe it's time to add an element of surprise to your garden.

Daniel March, pictured right, designer of A Garden Of Two Tales within the new Gardens Of Curiosity category at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival earlier this month, aimed to give visitors some inspiration about discovering something new with his creation.

It took you across a water feature into a secluded gathering area where you could reflect and enjoy the thought-provoking design of the ornamental installations.

Daniel believes that you too can create an element of surprise in your own garden.

CREATE SCREENING

"I have vertical structures which block part of the garden. I think this is quite key in lots of garden designs, creating separation and new, multiple rooms within one space," he says.

You could do it by erecting vertical metal screening, or large feature shrubs such as the dogwoods Cornus kousa or Cornus alba 'Sibirica' which will give you vibrant-coloured winter stems.