Make use of perspective, place brighter specimens or eye-catching focal points further away, this will draw your eye to the end of the garden and create an illusion of a bigger space.

Use plants to soften or disguise boundary fences and walls. Another clever trick, is to make the most of the neighbours tree, by planting a grouping in front of it, of mixed heights, it can look like all the plants belong to your landscape.

Always make space for people, give them a reason to walk around your landscape, whether it’s to put seed in a bird feeder or to sit on a cosy garden bench. And always create a focal point, this could be a specimen cycad or aloe, bench, water feature or something special that your eye is drawn to.