Transform Your New-Build Garden

Starting out with a brand-new garden is an exciting opportunity to create a unique outdoor space that reflects your own unique style. However, a blank canvas can also feel overwhelming too. Whether you’re after a timeless traditional garden or a bold, contemporary look, here are some inspiring plant recommendations to bring life and structure – as well as individual personality – to new-build gardens.

Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres, comments: “Planning a garden for a new-build home is an exciting challenge. It’s a wonderful chance to bring colour, character and life to your outdoor space, whether you dream of classic elegance or sleek modern lines.

“With a few thoughtful choices, you can create a garden that you’ll enjoy for years to come – and the best part is that gardening doesn’t need to be complicated! At Squire’s, our teams are always on hand to help you select the perfect plants to match your style and make the most of your garden.”

Traditional Elegance for New Gardens

For those who love a classic look, here are some plant ideas to add charm and structure to your garden:

Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum Jasminoides) – Perfect for fences, walls, or even trained onto the side of your house, this evergreen climber offers sweetly scented white star-shaped flowers. Every garden deserves one!
Photinia Carre Rouge – A brilliant choice for hedges or the back of a border. Its bright red shoots in spring and autumn add drama and vibrancy to a garden, offering year-round cover.
English Lavender – Ideal planted in sunny boarders as well as pots, this evergreen plant is loved by bees and pollinators. Its fragrant flowers bloom in late spring and summer are perfect for adding colour and charm.
Hydrangeas – For shady or partially shady areas, hydrangeas deliver a summer-long display of lush blooms in a variety of colours and keep on giving interest as autumn approaches.
Camellias – With glossy-leaved evergreens flowering in early spring, Camelias provide a much-needed splash of colour in shades of pink, red or white. They make a perfect choice for borders as well as pots.

Modern Architectural Drama for Outside Spaces

For a more contemporary, edgy-look – sure to make a bold statement, there are some standout plants worthy of inclusion in a new garden plan:

Phormiums – These evergreen beauties have striking, sword-like leaves in a range of colours, from deep red to variegated greens. Ideal for borders or as a show-stopper in pots.
Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) – A tropical-looking palm with large, fan-like leaves is easy to care for and adds a holiday-inspired vibe to a garden.
Salix Flamingo – With its marbled green leaves and pink-and-white tips, whether as a tree or shrub, offers a soft, architectural look. Standard trees are particularly stunning in pots.
Tree Fern (Dicksonia Antarctica) – A perfect choice for shady areas. With large, lush green fronds bringing a dramatic centrepiece to borders, it makes for a perfect choice for shady areas. While it does need some winter protection, it’s definitely a worthy contender, adding architectural structure to a blank canvas.
Hebes – These versatile evergreens are fantastic for sunny spots. With colourful foliage and summer blooms in pink, white, or purple, they’re perfect for creating a low hedge or ornamental shape.

New Build Fencing

New-build gardens often come with bare fences, which can be softened with climbing plants. For sunny spots, Star Jasmine is a good evergreen choice with fragrant white flowers with dark green leaves which turn bronze in wintertime, while for shadier areas Climbing Hydrangea can provide lush green foliage and delicate summer blooms.

Instant Impact

To add instant seasonal colour, consider large pots with flowering bulbs in spring, Pelargoniums for summer, and Heucheras or Skimmias for autumn and winter which can provide a quick and easy way to refresh your outdoor space.

Preparing the Ground

New-build gardens often come with compacted, poor-quality soil, so preparation is key before planting. Start by breaking up the soil with a fork and mixing in plenty of organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, to improve structure and drainage. If the soil is particularly heavy or clay-based, adding horticultural grit can help. Define borders clearly and consider using raised beds if space allows. Finally, a layer of mulch will help retain moisture and suppress weeds, giving your plants the best start in their new home.

Let Your Garden Flourish

A new-build garden is a precious chance to create something truly special – with the right plants, you can bring your space to life with minimal effort, designing something personal and unique. Squire’s Plant Experts are on hand in centres to guide customers every step of the way, offering advice on everything from plant selection to ongoing care. Whether you’re dreaming of a tranquil traditional garden or a cutting-edge contemporary retreat, there really is something for everyone. With a little creativity and the right choices, a blank canvas could soon be bursting with colour, structure and personality – totally unique.