'Garden for gathering' for a retired homeowner | Harrogate

Garden & planting design and implementation

Melissa Morton Garden and Landscape Design were invited by the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) to create a feature show garden for the Harrogate Spring Show.

The design

Set within a compact 6 x 9 metre plot—the size of many new-build gardens—we aimed to demonstrate just how much beauty, structure, and atmosphere can be achieved in a small space.

To shape the design direction, we focused on three key principles: geometry, a client persona, and sustainability.

Words from visitors...

“That’s gorgeous, that would look lovely in my garden”
“We could do with a gravel path with pocket plants like that!”
“I love the bowl water feature – it’s impressive yet subtle”
“Isn’t that beautiful? The swirls are lovely”

"It was a joy to speak with so many visitors, many of whom commented on the clever use of space and how easily they could imagine adapting the garden for their own homes. The screening trees - Ilex ‘Nellie Stevens’ - surprised many with their soft leaves and abundant spring flowers (soon to become berries), while our bespoke pergola sparked plenty of interest, especially from DIY enthusiasts keen to replicate it."

Garden Designer, Ilkley Skipton Otley Menston Bingley

Melissa Morton

The Design

Designs included:

Rather than using a typical square or rectangular form, we created an asymmetric, corner pergola with an open triangular layout. This design avoids an extra post that would block views and makes the space feel more open and inviting. The result is a cosy lounge area, perfect for relaxing or dining while enjoying uninterrupted views of the garden.
Every inch was carefully considered to ensure compatibility with standard garden furniture, hedging, and screening trees. To enhance the garden experience, we included a focal point—an elegant Urbis water bowl, fully visible from within the pergola due to the open structure. Diversionary focal points in a small garden really enhance the space.

The Planting

Selecting a planting palette is always a challenge, given the vast options available. With our brief in place and the garden layout defined, we narrowed our choices based on conditions—using trees and fencing to create both sunny and shaded planting areas.
The show garden included a space with a woodland feel, where we embraced the principles of forest gardening, layering trees, shrubs, and ground-level planting to create a naturalistic and biodiverse environment.
Sustainability guided our material choices, starting with a commitment to sourcing locally wherever we could.