The boundaries of a garden and any internal partitions are often not fully explored in an initial design, but their size, materials and character will affect the overall tone of the garden.

Boundaries may include walls, hedges, screens or fences, and may be used to create divisions, as a background or even to act as a foil for planting, seating or ornamental statuary.

Always try to use colours, textures and styles that harmonise well together. For example, a clipped yew hedge would compliment a classical stone figure perfectly, whilst a wooden panel fence would not.

In our Garden Features section, we look at the more practical considerations of boundaries, with advice on building, installing and maintaining.