How To Design a Beautiful Garden - 5 Pro Tips from Barnsley House

Discover the secrets of creating a stunning garden with this in-depth look at the design principles used by legendary gardener Rosemary Verey at Barnsley House. In this video, we explore five essential tips that can transform any outdoor space, whether you have acres of land or a small urban plot.
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Video and photo credits for images used in this video:
Image of laburnum walk at Bodnant Garden in North Wales
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Video footage provided by Pixabay
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[@GardenMoxie]

CORRECTION - Hi everyone. I want to correct a mistake I made in the video. I mentioned that Rosemary Verey was inspired to create her Laburnum Walk after visiting Bodnant Garden in North Wales. That is not true. In her book, Making of a Garden, she specifically mentions that she did not see the laburnum arch at Bodnant when she created her design. Verey mentions if she had seen the Bodnant arch she might have made her Laburnum Walk wider. Rather, Verey said that she got the idea from reading Russell Page's book Education of a Gardener. I apologize for the mistake. Thanks for watching the video.

[@w.l.kampsen7461]

I might add that this video is just as inspiring as the five tips. Your peaceful narration goes well with the gorgeous views.

[@GardenMoxie]

Ahhh....thanks so much for the words of encouragement. I appreciate it.

[@josefalawson3049]

😅if gardening is your passion, this podcast is MOST helpful. Inspiring and thoughtful.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much and thanks for watching.

[@JoAnnBlondin]

Hi Sue. 5 great tips and so many stunning photos to demonstrate them all. Definitely use all 5 tips however your video has me thinking about ideas to improve or enhance some areas of the gardens. Thanks for inspiring me and encouraging us all to read more. I'll add that book to my list and may consider a knot garden. Or maybe not. Get it 😂❤

[@GardenMoxie]

Ha! I get it! You crack me up Jo. That vegetable garden reminds me of your gorgeous vegetable garden by the river. Thanks for watching.

[@shimmyhinnah]

Good morning Sue! You should really consider doing a 2 hour sleep ASMR video! I just cannot get enough upper window shots of your backyard. In rain ☔️ or ☀️ sunshine my eyes are bedazzled and my nerves are calmed. Better than drinking chamomile tea. ❤

[@GardenMoxie]

Hello and thank you for your kind words. I am glad to hear you enjoy the video. I appreciate you being here.

[@KatesGarden]

“Design with the house” one idea I keep coming back to here is put the winter interest at the windows! I have a winter blooming camellia in front of the living room window. I won’t be sitting out in the yard in the winter to enjoy it and it lets you enjoy the garden from inside. I’ve also been working on another winter vista with hellebores for the dining room window. Thanks for the video, great tips! 👍

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so your note. That is a great idea to bring the winter interest closer to the windows where we can appreciate them during the winter months. You're right that we aren't going to be out in the garden when it is freezing cold. Great tip!

[@kayjane2115]

This is one of my favorite videos of yours so far...and I have several! I love these gardening tips and plan to use them. I only got serious about gardening during the pandemic. The garden bug has really got me! I want to begin collecting some gardening books like Rosemary Verey's. So far, everything I have learned has been by watching gardeners like you! 😊

[@landscapedesignmanagement]

Another book you may enjoy is “The Gardeners Garden.”

[@GardenMoxie]

Awesome! Thank you! I appreciate the kind words of encouragement. I ordered Verey's book "Making a Garden" so I can have the book. I read it online and it seems like an amazing book. It's filled with wonderful watercolor images showing the garden plans. I love when garden plans are included in books. I know what you mean about getting that garden bug. I feel the same!

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

My favorite way to get ideas is to visit other gardens, they can be so inspiring. I also love old gardening books, I need to find some of Rosemary's and give them a read.

[@jodieflute5480]

I love watching your videos so much. It’s lovely viewing different gardens through your eyes as well as through the eyes of authors you’ve read. I always feel more at peace nearing the end of your narrations. My garden is still very new and I’m enjoying the process of adding to the previous home owners garden and seeing how I can change the landscape and make it my own. Thank you for your inspiration!

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much for the kind note of encouragement. I am glad to hear you liked the video. How exciting to have a new garden that you can work on. That sounds wonderful.

[@thegonzalezs4953]

As always , very interesting video my friend . And that’s how I get my ideas , just watching videos like this . Thank you .

[@GardenMoxie]

Hey Ohio! Thanks for checking out the video. I hope all is well in your garden.

[@thegonzalezs4953]

@@GardenMoxie everything is doing ok so far , we had a good rain last night, our garden and vegetables are happy for right now , it has been hot lately though. I hope everything is with you

[@GardenMoxie]

@@thegonzalezs4953 I'm glad to hear all is well in OH.

[@casandrasobczak4446]

Thank you for the wonderful video. I really appreciate all your tips! I am blessed to have a sister who has a house in the Cotswolds. We were there this May and we got to see the gardens at Hidcote Manor and Sudley Castle. I will put Barnsley on my list for next time. You are right, you can learn so much from other gardens. My garden is fairly young (less than 5 years old), but I have tried to add lots of vertical interest with arches, obelisks and trees. Thank you for your inspiration!

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much. What a blessing to have a sister that lives in such a beautiful part of the world. When we visited I felt like I was in a dream with that beautiful English countryside. It was inspiring. I have not visited Sudley Castle. I will have to add that to my wish list. Hidcote was an absolute dream garden! Wow!

[@charlesshene9036]

thank you for this program. i have mentally incorporated some/ most of the five ideas in my garden planning. Execution , that is another story. I retired last year and thought i would have more time for hobbies, but i'm as busy as ever. I feel that i have too many balls in the air and i must choose. That said some tasks can be postponed while others that might be more important, for example planting a structural specimen, one that needs to become established now and forgoing all weeding or ??? some new annuals is my new process. i try and work smart so that i don't have to repeat work. I garden in St. Lawrence County, New York, zone ??? (maybe with warming) 5 especially in micro pockets, and i've put some tender perennials in, i've made use of pots this year, putting some plants in them, I've given up on grass where it does't grow well due to excessive shade and instead, covered that area of the lawn in chips and started planting shrubs. I don't yet have garden interest in all 4 seasons that way that i would like, but gardening is a verb, its a process and we do as best as we can. thanks again for creating and sharing. you are like a big sister or cousin to me

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much for your kind note. I love hearing about your garden. I laughed when I read "execution, that is another story". Ha. I think we all know how you feel. Thanks for being here. Happy gardening!

[@kathleenreynolds6492]

Great video. The information applies to all sizes and growing conditions. I think the tip about visiting other gardens is crucial and especially apropos for those of us living in climates that are more challenging as I do in Colorado. But during COVID I discovered that the British Garden Scheme continued their annual garden tours via the internet. I spent hours touring gardens that I would never visit in person!

[@naomiweaver1855]

What a wonderful video! Thank you for seamlessly incorporating the images and narrative together. I was incredibly lucky to be on a garden tour of England and Wales organized by the Greensboro NC Ag Extension Agency back in the 1990s. The tour guide took us to Barnsley House because she knew Verey. And Verey herself gave us a tour of the gardens. We all nearly passed out. She was amazing, as you can imagine. It’s really interesting to see how the gardens have changed since her death. They’ve gone through cycles of life and death and life again.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much. That must have been amazing to get a tour of Barnsley House from Rosemary Verey herself. That is fantastic!

[@gidicaetano195]

Such a lovely video, thank you. These are familiar principles but its always good to see more examples and I love the snippets of history and stories you share

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much for the kind note and thanks for watching.

[@PeggyMills]

Another great video, Sue. Very helpful tips. I’ve had Verey’s book for years and still reference it.

[@GardenMoxie]

Hi Peggy and thanks so much for your kind note. I love the Rosemary Verey books I have and I am super excited to get her book "Making a Garden". I read it online, but I am excited to get a hard copy to look through. I just love her garden style.

[@aileentse6465]

Such a wonderful video - relaxing, informative and inspirational! Thank you!

[@bluesky7226]

This video is just as inspiring as Verey's tips! I am try to do all those things when designing my spaces. Thank you, Sue, for taking the time to make such beautiful and valuable videos that inspire us all! ❤Lina

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank so much for your kind note and for watching the video.

[@vickimaiorano5763]

Great timeless tips. I have many garden books of Paul Bangay an Australian designer and he has studied many old English gardens. I have visited his gardens too. I have incorporated these tips into my gardens over the years. Thanks for the great video.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks for watching. I just learned about Paul Bangay after watching a great video from Alexandria on her channel @TheMiddlesizedGarden. She has a fantastic KZbin channel. I ended up buying Paul Bangay's latest book "A Life in Garden Design". I loved it. It is filled with images of his personal garden. I am definitely going to add more of his books to my collection. Thanks for sharing his name. I bet visiting his gardens was an absolute treat.

[@vickimaiorano5763]

@@GardenMoxie yes it was. I have been to Stonefields several times. I’ve just read “Stonefields by the seasons” which I think was his second last book. He has designed many gardens around Melbourne and country Victoria. I have been lucky enough to come across many of his gardens with the open garden schemes. I follow Alexandra too. She has some great informative videos.

[@rosemama9995]

@@GardenMoxieGis books are wonderful - inspirational and practical. I have them all.

[@LifeHomeandGardenwithAnaRica]

This is a very helpful video, All the gardens are beautiful and it inspired me. Thank you!

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much and thanks for watching!

[@BertiesGardener]

Many years ago I visited this lovely garden whilst it was still the home of Rosemary Verey. It left a lasting impression, especially the laburnum and alliums, the holly and knot garden, the potager and seeing Rosemary herself giving planting advice at the small plant stall there. I'm sure that even now my own gardening style , however modest, is still influenced by her ❤. Such a legacy.

[@GardenMoxie]

Oh my goodness. You are so lucky. That must have been a dream. I read in her books about how she sold plants during the garden open days. That is incredible that you were there. Thanks so much for sharing that.

[@kritomoralea]

I love watching your videos and learning from your garden tours. I hope one day I have the opportunity to see those beautiful gardens with my own eyes. Thank you ❤

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you and thanks for watching.

[@susanneimgarten3055]

Hi Sue, thank you for the story of this great Lady, the inspiring garden and the design tips❤. It would be nice to see more videos with design ideas that can be transformed to „normal size gardens“. Greetings from Germany, Susanne😊

[@GardenMoxie]

Hello Susanne and thanks so much for your note. I am glad to hear you liked the video.

[@shelleymolinaro5866]

Thanks for all the great design info Sue! The one design tip that I always try to use is creating vistas . Those Sight lines are important elements in a garden . In my woodland garden I use understory trees as the anchors on the ends of paths. Graceful japanese maples or varigated dogwood trees grab the eye and pull you down the path. A large container works too. Whenever an area of my garden just doesn't feel right I can "Fix it" with a focal point. Thanks again Sue. Enjoy Summer!

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks for sharing those great tips about the how to create a focal point Shelley. Such great ideas. Your woodland garden sounds like a dream. Just lovely!

[@UpstateGrammy]

What a great inspiration! Thank you!🦋🦋🦋

[@naomiweaver1855]

Oh, wow! I just noticed from your description that you’re in SE Michigan! I lived in Ypsilanti for 15 years. My ex-husband teaches at EMU, which is what took us there. I loved Ypsi/Ann Arbor. My favorite nursery was that huge rose nursery between Ypsi and Detroit. I was so sorry when it closed. It was like a museum - so many antique and vintage varieties. And they offered a lot of classes. I’m back in NC, with my transplanted Buck roses!

[@GardenMoxie]

Hello and thanks for sharing that story. I am not familiar with the rose nursery. It sounds like it was amazing. Thanks for watching!

[@kimmicannon5629]

What a fascinating video! However, I have to disagree with Ms. Rosemary when she mentions (how a garden looks in winter is a test of a true gardener). When you can design a garden that can handle over 100 temps, rain sometimes de-needed upon the year and at least 4 months a year it look amazingly alive, colorful and beautiful, that’s a gardener with skills being tested. Considering I have a tropical garden in Zone 9B, Houston, TX, we’re quite limited on having a plethora of evergreens for winter beauty; as many of the tropicals we have prefer humid, warm and hot weather. So when our autumn shows up right before Thanksgiving with a hint of color and cooler temps and our short, winters come in December through February, we just admire and appreciate our labor and gardens resting period of blandness during winter until, we start to enjoy once again our tropical, rainforest, paradises’ (9+ months a year)! Great video, nevertheless. Thank you and happy gardening.

[@thequarrygardener5578]

Another inspiring video! My favourite pastime is to visit other gardens big and small and I always come home with so many new ideas and renewed enthusiasm to make changes in my own garden as I also do now when I watch your videos. I’m thinking of ways to add structures and vertical interest into the garden, you’ve got me thinking 🤔

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much. I am with you. I love visiting gardens. It doesn't matter what size at all. You can always learn something when you see new gardens. Thanks for watching.

[@ellenvandevoorde8943]

Beautiful 💜

[@christinehaack8123]

Thank u!!! This is a fantastic video!! Enjoy all ur posts!! Thanks for sharing!!!🌿🌻

[@GardenMoxie]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@virginiaramirez4214]

Absolutely beautiful 🌺🪴

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you! 😊

[@mittenhomestead]

Once again a beautiful, helpful, and inspiring video. I will have to pick up a copy of that book. You said to visit gardens. I'm due for a return to U of M Mathias. And one day, I'd like to see yours. 😊

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much! I just ordered Rosemary Verey's book "Making a Garden". I read it online and can't wait to get a real copy to hold. I absolutely love her gardening style.

[@ebbrown8771]

5:06 Garden Moxie!! I absolutely love your channel at this moment in the video, you have plants, on a weatherproof table maybe? This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I have potted plants on a concrete pad near my house, but was scared to pot something that climbed ( missing vertical/heightened accents because to prevent mice running up my siding). I will use the idea which is very similar to local nurseries to prop up with different plants. Maybe because I have not seen this idea at a residential house before, this immediately made sense❤❤❤ Oh man, garden inspiration is everywhere! Where did you get the table by the way?

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much. That table was something my husband made me out of 2x4 and 1x6 inch pine lumber that I painted with exterior paint. It is a great add to the garden. Inexpensive, but super functional. My husband built me two for the patio. I'm glad to hear they gave you ideas. Happy gardening!

[@judybrock5360]

Sue I love all you videos and content and garden !! So enjoyable and informative. I have long been true to tip 5, create a view from the inside. This has always been so important to me. I garden is SW Ontario , seasonal change likely very similar to yours. I absolutely delight in planting trees etc where best for the tree outside and best for my views from the inside. Japanese maples are my weakness, to me they make a beautiful focal point to view from the inside in all seasons Have to mention I was in UK early May. We planned a few days stay in the Cotswolds. My absolute #1 goal was to view Barnsley house gardens and even lunch on the outdoor patio surrounded by the garden. (Imagine you are away Barnsley house is now a posh Inn and spa, gardens in tact). I was so looking forward to for over a year, alas “ Inn and gardens currently closed for renovations “. So disappointed. Decided I could go to Hidcote , transportation very difficult in Cotswold , we were relying on taxi , 150 pounds each way. That did not happen either . I will return in a couple years, I am British born and cannot get enough , better luck next time I hope Thanks so much for showcasing Rosemary’s Verey gardens. So enjoyed. I also Just love your garden , made even better that it is a true gardeners garden, rather that prof landscaped creation. 12

[@GardenMoxie]

Hello Judy and thanks so much for your note. I am sorry to hear that you did not get a chance to visit the garden. How disappointing. You will love it and sitting on the patio for tea will be worth waiting until the next time. May must be a beautiful time to visit. We were visiting last time during the month of September. I thought that was also a beautiful time of year. I agree with you that having views of the garden from inside is so fun. Especially in winter. It makes the house seem bigger too. Thanks so much for being here.

[@heathermacdonald6404]

A lovely video. Thank you! Rosemary Verey is such an inspiration. I have The Englishwoman’s Garden edited by Alvilde Lees-Milne and Rosemary Verey. I love it! Thirty-six women explain their gardens. If you don’t yet have it I recommend it. It’s charming. Thanks again for another great video. 😊

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you. Oh my goodness. I also have The Englishwoman's Garden. I thought is was remarkable to read the stories of the women gardeners. You are right! That is a wonderful book. Thanks for sharing that with everyone.

[@angelacross2216]

I love Rosemary’s designs. I’ve used many of her ideas to inspire the color choices and design elements in my garden. For a while I had a whole garden room designed in her honor…laburnum arch included.

[@GardenMoxie]

Oh my goodness. I bet that laburnum arch is a sight to behold. How wonderful! Thanks for sharing. Your garden sounds incredible.

[@jaqmackie]

Love this video. Your garden is beautiful. I’ve used all of these points but would love to incorporate more long vistas.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much. I think it is a very effective feature in a garden. It isn't easy to find space in smaller gardens, but when I realized it didn't need to be long, I was able to use paths and my narrow side yard to create a vista. It is fun to try to find spots for them in our gardens.

[@SpanishEclectic]

This is wonderful! The idea of a knot garden design from the 1660s makes me giddy! Those trimmed bushes in Rosemary's garden look like muffins. Such an interesting shape. We have a deep lot with many old, well established (in some cases huge) trees and shrubs, but since we're in San Diego, those are native scrub oaks, pecans, ivy, bougainvillea, plumeria, lavender, rosemary, 'fence post' cactus, and one energetic Chicago Peace rose. These plants go with our Spanish style bungalow. I love mixing traditional English, French, or Italian garden styles with drought tolerant plants that do well here. I've planted two young Palo Verde trees in matching Italian garland pots, for example. Many years ago I found a book about building garden structures from the 1950s; it was $3 at a library sale. I totally agree that with study, thought, and real time in your own garden and others, beautiful creative solutions can be found for any garden issue, be it shape, size, climate, over-looking buildings, etc. And, of course, sharing ideas with friends. I love the low forget-me-nots (?) and standards with white flowers in your 'allee'. Just perfect. :)

[@GardenMoxie]

Hello. Your garden sounds like a dream. I loved those knot gardens from the 1600s as well. I thought that was such a great idea. I found one of the books she used as reference from William Lawson (1617). I was giggling because I could bearly understand the "old English". So fun to read through those old books. I agree with you about finding solutions to gardening issues. Thanks so much for watching and thanks for your note.

[@landscapedesignmanagement]

Well done 👏 Thanks for the tips…

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@najwaseiya]

👍👍👍👍 To Design a Beautiful Garden💟💟

[@GardenMoxie]

Hello and thanks so much for watching!

[@Al-ImprovEd2022]

Always well written & spoken. Have you been a teacher ?

[@GardenMoxie]

Hello and thank you. I am a Mechanical engineer by trade.

[@phuongphan-mcmanamna3781]

Great video!! More videos like this, please. Just implemented my first vertical interests this season with 5 obelisks and clematis. Would you please recommend a budget-friendly metal arbor for a pink Eden rose that I just bought? TIA

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much and thanks for watching. I haven't purchased any metal arbors that I feel are robust. The two I have in my own garden are not as sturdy as I'd like. Your obelisks and clematis sound like a wonderful add to your garden. I bet they look amazing!

[@lindas5964]

The focal point tip can be a powerful one but can be ruined if one is not careful about “distractions”. I’ve found it can be difficult to pare down the area around the focal point so that the eye doesn’t start darting around by other visual clutter. Less is more in this instance.

[@GardenMoxie]

You bring up such a great point. You are right that many times less is more in the garden. Thanks for watching and thanks for your note.

[@sterlgirlceline]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌎🌳💚

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks for watching!