Geo Designs

24/04/2026

24/04/2026

🐝 Sound On 🐝 Just listen to the bees buzzing in the cherry blossom this morning, birds chirping- is Spring finally here?

13/03/2026

Spring Garden Design: What Highland Homeowners Should Be Planning Right Now

Spring in the Scottish Highlands doesn’t arrive the way it does further south. While gardens in England are already well underway by March, up here we’re often still watching for the last frosts and waiting on the soil to warm. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do — in fact, right now is one of the most important planning windows of the entire year.

New blog on website- https://www.geodesigns.co.uk/spring-garden-design-highlands/

03/03/2026

What actually grows in the Highlands of Scotland - and what doesn’t.

The Scottish Highlands have a reputation for being wild, wet and windswept - not exactly the first place that comes to mind when you think of colourful borders and flourishing plants. But you can grow far more than you expect- if you choose the right plants and conditions.

New blog post on our website https://www.geodesigns.co.uk/what-actually-grows-in-the-highlands-of-scotland-and-what-doesnt-a-garden-designers-guide/

23/02/2026

Hellebores - the quiet heroes of the winter garden.

Just when most of the garden sleeps, these beautiful blooms lift shady corners with soft whites, dusky pinks and deep plum tones. In Scotland’s cool climate, they thrive - bringing colour from late winter into early spring when we need it most.

Where to plant - Perfect for partial shade, under deciduous trees or along a north facing border. They love shelter from harsh winds and well drained soil enriched with organic matter.

How to care - Cut back old, leathery leaves in January to make way for fresh growth and show off flowers.
Mulch annually with compost or well rotted manure to keep roots cool and nourished.
Avoid water-logging, especially in heavy soils, improve drainage if needed.
Let them self seed for a natural romantic drift over time.

Low maintenance, long-lived and quietly spectacular- a must have for structure and winter in Scottish gardens.

• Helleborus x hybridus ‘Harvington Double pink speckled’
• Helleborus x hybridus ‘Harvington White Speckled’
• Helleborus x hybridus ‘Double Ellen Purple’
• Helleborus ‘Sugar Plum’
• Helleborus ‘Confetti Cake’

11/02/2026

Purple flowers add instant depth and elegance to any garden design.

Their rich tones create strong contrast against green foliage, helping other plants stand out while still feeling balanced.

Purple also bridges warm and cool colour palettes making it incredibly versatile when planning seasonal schemes.

From soft lavender shades that feel calm and romantic to deep violets that feel bold and dramatic, purple flowers bring structure, harmony and visual interest to outdoor spaces.

05/02/2026

A hand drawn and coloured garden design of a current project on the Black Isle in the Highlands. The garden is beautifully located but is exposed to the prevailing winds.

A native hedgerow, specimen multi-stemmed shrubs with complimentary perennials, selected for their hardiness, comprise the planting schematic with an All-Year interest theme, full of colour and as a haven for wildlife.

A gazebo, paved terrace and pergola complete the composition to provide a functional, practical yet charming space for entertaining.

02/02/2026

Early morning on the Black Isle. A recently completed garden overlooking the Cromarty Firth. Mature Taxus domes and pyramids. Amelanchier lamarkii in a specimen planter and ground cover roses in planters. The geometry and simplicity of the planting blend beautifully with the woodland backdrop.

12/06/2025

29/04/2025

The gardens at RHS Harlow Carr looked stunning yesterday. This beautiful garden provides so much inspiration.