Perennials are flowering and foliage plants that live for more than two years. They die back at the end of the growing season and return from their root systems the following year. In garden and landscape design, they form the
Deciduous plants shed their leaves seasonally, entering dormancy through winter before producing fresh growth in spring. The term covers trees, shrubs, climbers and herbaceous perennials, though each behaves for slightly different structural reasons. In garden design, deciduous plants do something evergreen
Annuals are plants that complete their full life cycle within a single growing season. They germinate first, then set seed and finally die within roughly twelve months, sometimes less. Unlike perennials, they do not return the following year from the
Structure in garden design refers to the permanent framework that gives a garden its form and spatial character throughout the year. Walls, hedges, level changes and the positioning of pergolas define how a space is read and moved through. Unlike
A sketch is a freehand drawing produced early in the design process to test spatial ideas before any formal drawing work begins. In garden and landscape design, sketches allow a designer to think on paper, working through proportions and spatial
Implementation is the stage at which a garden design moves from drawn intention to physical reality. It describes the construction and installation process that follows the completion of technical drawings and specifications. Without a well-managed implementation phase, even a carefully
Rhythm in garden design describes the deliberate repetition of elements across a space to create visual movement and a sense of order. It operates through the measured recurrence of forms, materials, plants or structural features, guiding the eye from one
Layout is the spatial organisation of a garden. It defines the underlying geometry of a garden, establishing where boundaries fall and how levels and movement are resolved across the site. Before any surface is laid or plant chosen, layout determines
A site visit is a formal or informal attendance at a property or piece of land by a designer or contractor for the purpose of gathering information by assessing site conditions or checking work in progress. Within garden and landscape
Planting forms the living structure of a garden. It determines seasonal function and long-term durability. Plant selection sets drainage performance and establishes microclimates. Whether paths remain accessible or become overgrown depends on choices made at the specification stage. Light penetration