Let your garden dreams take flight! These views will make any gardener’s heart beat a bit faster

1. A perfect place to sit

It’s a good idea to set up multiple seating spots around the garden. Place them where you can enjoy the morning or evening sun, under the shade of an old tree, by your favorite flowers, or next to a water feature. In this garden with clay soil, the gravel sections were made by first laying filter fabric directly on the lawn, then adding a layer of gravel. Flowers grow in raised beds lined with a generous layer of newspaper. The bright orange lilies are accompanied by foxgloves, among others.

2. A small slice of paradise

A flower-filled balcony is the perfect place to enjoy a summer day, watching birds and squirrels bustling around in the treetops. In tall planters, plants are at eye level for easy viewing. The closest planter holds China pinks, marguerites, and topped lavender, among others. Among the flowers, ivy, dusty miller, and herbs are planted. The lightweight 1950s metal chair is a perfect fit on this compact balcony.

3. An old apple tree is a treasure

Is there anything lovelier than an apple tree in bloom, with early summer sunlight filtering through its branches? Even once the petals have fallen, the trunks of an old apple tree can look like sculptures that add structure to the garden. In allotment gardens, apple trees have long been a mainstay. In a typical plan from the early 1900s, there were eight per allotment.

4. Every inch in bloom

In this enchanting allotment garden, it’s impossible to see where one planting bed ends and the next begins. The owners cherish a relaxed, natural atmosphere. Old ‘Actaea’ daffodils bloom in large clusters, filling the evenings with a heady fragrance. After them, it’s time for the globeflowers, poppies, peonies, bearded irises, and martagon lilies to shine. You’ll also find daisies and various bellflowers throughout the garden.

5. A hint of pink

The residents of this home wanted a calm, serene garden rather than a bold explosion of color. They created a Japanese-inspired garden featuring a koi pond, Japanese maples, moss, and neatly trimmed evergreens. Three ponds are beautifully blended in with stones and plants, while a pump feeds a small stream between them. Azaleas bring a cheerful splash of color in early summer.

6. Everlasting summer

In the winter garden attached to this home’s south wall, the highlight of spring arrives when the peach, apricot, nectarine, and ‘Elfe’ climbing rose burst into bloom. The space measures 25 square meters, with a ceiling that rises about five meters high. Double-glazed windows prevent overheating in summer and keep out the cold in winter. Even at its chilliest, the heated room stays at about seven degrees Celsius. A calamondin orange tree grows atop the pillar, bearing fruit.

7. Hostas and so much more

The yard of this modest country home in Estonia was transformed when its resident discovered a passion for gardening and plant collecting. Beneath the apple trees, along the natural stone path, they have skillfully combined plants that thrive in partial shade. In the foreground, the ‘Black Scallop’ bugleweed has striking dark leaves that remain impressive even after the flowers fade. This perennial spreads vigorously in moisture-retaining soil, covering the ground effectively.

8. Wild and free

Layers of flowers create a mesmerizing display. Above the rosemary border bloom borage, corn poppies, and love-in-a-mist. The tallest are sweet peas, supported by branches from a hazelnut tree. Keep an eye on self-seeding poppies so they don’t spread excessively.

9. Captivatingly green

The hops-covered gate softly frames the view of the garden gazebo, piquing curiosity by showing only part of the scene. In this shady garden, you’ll find a wealth of perennials with striking foliage that stay vibrant all summer. Along the path, you’ll find nest spruces, spirea, and yellow-margined hostas.