It’s almost Valentine’s Day and what is more romantic than a quintessential English garden: that perfect combination of manicured lawns, trimmed topiary and overflowing flower beds billowing with fragrant rose blooms. The ‘English Garden’ is certainly synonymous with the British home, whether it is a rooftop aluminium oasis in Mayfair or a chocolate-box Costwolds cottage blooming with lavender.

Gardens come in all shapes and sizes and a clever design will add a spot of serenity to everyday life and enhance the space you live in. Here are our tips on how to get the most out of your garden.

Carefully pick your flowers

A Homebase survey rounded up the 10 garden flowers most attractive to house hunters. While the ‘queen of flowers’ – the rose took the top spot, fragrant jasmine and lavender were also up there. With so much variety of plants and colours, it’s time to be bold and plant some blossoming sweet peas or geraniums to create that perfect country garden dream or add a blast of colour with sunflowers or fuchsia. But if you need more inspiration, here is a list of top ten garden flowers:

1. Roses

2. Lavender

3. Fuchsia

4. Tulips

5. Sweet Peas

6. Lilies

7. Jasmine

8. Geraniums

9. Hydrangea

10. Sunflowers

Consider what you want from your outside space

Careful consideration should be given as to how you wish to use your outside space and its location in relation to the surrounding area. If you have pets or small children, a pond or river would prevent responsible adults from relaxing, and if your garden is full of Japanese knot weed as a homeowner, you would be legally bound to treat it.

A garden that has been carefully planted with perennials and an evergreen palette of emerald and gold euonymus, raspberry coloured azaleas or sweetly perfumed honeysuckle will not only be romantic but create an idyllic environment that you cannot wait to walk in.

Tip: Know your ‘secateurs from your forks’ or find a professional to help you create the perfect space.

If you’re not a passionate gardener but prefer a chilled glass of Cheval Blanc wine with friends or clients, then a raised slate seating area, complete with water cascading down rills amongst sculptural red Japanese acers, might just be the ideal setting for you with minimal upkeep and maximum enjoyment.

Beware problem plants

Imagine your home with an ancient Bramley (apple) tree, under planted with geranium macrorrhizum, epimediums and some fabulous ferns to give you a magical woodland feel, and not to mention the apple crumble and custard! Sounds perfect?

Instead you are faced with ‘thug’ plants running amok in your garden. Often these, plants are only a problem if inadvertently planted in the wrong spot. You could also be dealing with poisonous plants that pose a danger to young children and pets.

Think carefully before you introduce these plants and be prepared to carry out pruning and thinning out as require. If, however, you are unsure of how to deal with these plants, most nurseries will be able to give you the appropriate advice.

Gardens give you opportunities to make friends

Your garden can easily become a source of new friendships and allow you and your family to quickly become part of the local community. People will always admire a well-designed garden and often like to tell you so.

If you are keen on trying your hand at gardening, there are many horticultural groups throughout the UK with speakers (who are often household names) and you don’t have to be an experienced gardener to join.

Happy Valentine’s Day from Premier Property Search.

For further information or help about finding your dream home (and garden!) in the UK contact Premier Property Search at enquiries@premier-propertysearch.co.uk or call + 44 (0)1962 793100.