CGLA

04/04/2026

Most garden redesigns don’t fail because of plants.

They fail because of decisions made too early, or not at all.

In our latest article, we share some of the most common garden design mistakes and how to avoid them, from layout and levels to how your garden connects with your home.

If you’re thinking about redesigning your garden this year, it’s worth getting these right from the start.

Read the full article: https://cgla.co.uk/garden-design-mistakes/

The Biggest Garden Design Mistakes We See (And How to Avoid Them) CEO & Garden Designer Ruth Marshall Whether you are starting with a blank canvas or working with an existing garden, the same underlying principles apply. Some of the most common issues we see arise just

13/03/2026

What are people asking for in their gardens right now?

Looking back at our recent projects, some clear themes are emerging. Gardens designed for entertaining, immersive planting, strong structure and calm materials are shaping many of the spaces we create.

We’ve pulled together six garden design trends we’re seeing right now.

Read more on the blog.
https://cgla.co.uk/garden-design-trends-2025/

06/03/2026

Thinking about redesigning your garden this year?

Before choosing plants, paving or furniture, it helps to step back and ask a few important questions. The most successful gardens begin with a clear understanding of how the space should work and how you want to live in it.

In our latest blog we share five questions that can help shape a garden design that feels thoughtful, cohesive and lasting.

Read the article here and start planning your garden with clarity 🌿
https://cgla.co.uk/garden-redesign-planning-questions/

Thinking of Redesigning Your Garden? Start With These Five Questions CEO & Garden Designer Ruth Marshall Spring is often the moment people begin looking at their garden with fresh eyes. As the weather improves and the first signs of growth appear, the space suddenly feels full of possibility. It is....

21/02/2026

🌿 Spring’s on the horizon — and it’s time to think bigger than borders!
With lighter days and brighter skies ahead, many of us are dreaming of outdoor spaces that truly work for living, relaxing and entertaining.

Curious about what it really costs to landscape your garden? We’ve broken it down so you can plan with confidence and purpose. 👉 https://cgla.co.uk/how-much-will-it-cost-to-landscape-my-garden/

Let’s turn those spring dreams into a landscaped reality. ☀️

How much will it cost to landscape my garden? As designers and landscapers, we get asked 'how much will it cost to landscape my garden?' more than any other. Having a good understanding of typical costs will help you to identify the areas that you value most, what you want to focus on,

18/02/2026

🌼 Spring is almost here — and so is the urge to get outside! With the days getting lighter and the sunshine teasing us, now’s the perfect time to think about your garden’s potential. 🌱

Wondering how much it actually costs to design your dream outdoor space? We’ve got you covered — explore realistic garden design pricing and start planning with confidence. 👉 https://cgla.co.uk/how-much-will-it-cost-to-design-my-garden/

Let’s make this the season your garden truly comes alive! ☀️

How much will it cost to design my garden? Head of Design Eike Selby One of the most asked questions when starting a new garden project is 'how much will it cost to design my garden?' Having a professional garden design will not suit all projects, but getting an idea of the likely

16/02/2026

🌞 Sunshine at last! After all that mixed weather, today’s light has us dreaming outdoors — and what a transformation this once-blank Cotswold garden has made! From bare lawn to stylish, year-round living space, this contemporary design brings atmosphere, comfort and flow to every corner. 🌱✨

If the sunshine has you thinking about your own outdoor space, we’d love to talk garden renovations and how we can help bring your vision to life.

👉 https://cgla.co.uk/portfolio-items/stylish-contemporary-garden-design-cotswolds/

04/02/2026

A swimming pool should enhance a garden — not dominate it. 🌿

From careful positioning and flowing terraces to planting, privacy and year-round usability, thoughtful landscaping is what transforms a pool into a beautiful, integrated part of the home. 🏡💧

Explore our latest insights on designing landscapes around swimming pools.
https://cgla.co.uk/landscaping-around-swimming-pools/

12/01/2026

Designing a sense of arrival.

The journey into a garden should feel deliberate.

Here, strong axes, restrained materials and repetition work together to create calm before you even reach the front door. Resin-bound gravel meets granite setts, clipped limes establish rhythm, and a central water feature anchors the space.

This is where architecture and landscape begin to speak the same language.
Check out bio to see more completed projects

08/01/2026

January is the perfect month to plan your garden transformation ✨.
Not sure which hard landscaping materials will work best for your space? Our guide breaks down the options - from timeless natural stone to low-maintenance decking and weatherproof tiles. 🔨🌿
Get inspired and start dreaming ahead of spring 👉 https://cgla.co.uk/choosing-the-right-hard-landscaping/

17/12/2025

Thinking of letting your main contractor handle the landscaping on your new build? 🏠

It might seem convenient, but it can lead to compromises, hidden issues and even costly rework later.

Our latest blog explores why specialist landscapers are often the best choice for everything the rain falls on—ensuring craftsmanship, coordination and long-term success in your garden.

👉 Read more: https://cgla.co.uk/new-build-landscaping-specialist/

Which Parts of Your New Build Landscaping Should a Specialist complete? CEO & Garden Designer Ruth Marshall Comparing experts’ responses to this question, the consensus was brilliantly summed up by Louisa Pope of leading landscape design studio Marcus Barnett as: “Everything the Rain Falls On”...

21/11/2025

Every great landscape is built twice — once on paper, and once on site.

The Value of Landscape Detailing explores how precision, coordination and craftsmanship turn a beautiful concept into something that stands the test of time.

At CGLA, we believe detailing is where design becomes real: where drawings translate into stone, timber, and planting that feel effortless yet exact.

From early costing and materials to on-site collaboration, our process is about delivering quality that endures.

Read how attention to detail defines every project we create.

https://cgla.co.uk/value-of-landscape-detailing/

14/11/2025

🌿 Every great garden begins long before the first plant goes in the ground.

It starts with a vision — how you want to live, the atmosphere you want to create, the connection between architecture and landscape.

The CGLA Design Bible brings together everything we’ve learned from decades of crafting exceptional gardens — from first sketches and materials to detailing, planting and long-term care.

It’s our complete guide to the process behind beautiful, enduring outdoor spaces — a rare behind-the-scenes look at how design, craftsmanship and collaboration come together to create something timeless.

Discover how design thinking turns an idea into a living, evolving landscape.

Read more ➜ https://cgla.co.uk/luxury-garden-design-guide/

The CGLA Design Bible: A Complete Guide to Creating Exceptional Gardens CEO & Garden Designer Ruth Marshall Every exceptional garden begins with a clear intention, a vision that connects people, place and architecture. At CGLA, our work is driven by the belief that great design endures: it shapes ho...