Planting, pergolas and raised beds in Kent

Planting that suits your soil and aspect

Plants do well when they're matched to the conditions. Note which way the garden faces, which parts get full sun or deep shade, and whether the soil is heavy clay, chalky or sandy. A soil test kit shows whether it's acid or alkaline, which matters for plants such as camellias and rhododendrons. Many landscapers can draw up a planting plan, source plants and prepare the beds with compost or topsoil. Ask about aftercare, as new plants need regular watering in their first growing season, especially in a dry spring.

Pergolas, raised beds and screens

Timber or metal pergolas, arbours and screens add height and shade, while raised beds make growing easier on poor soil and save bending. Most small garden structures are covered by permitted development, but height limits are lower near a boundary, and the rules are tighter in front of the house, in the grounds of listed buildings and where an Article 4 direction applies. A pergola fixed to the house wall needs a sound fixing and shouldn't bridge the damp-proof course. Check the Planning Portal or ask your council if a structure is large.

Trees, hedges and wildlife rules

Some trees can't be cut back without permission. Felling, lopping, topping or uprooting a tree with a Tree Preservation Order needs written consent from your council, and in a conservation area you must usually give the council six weeks' notice before working on a tree. Ask your council if you're unsure whether a tree is protected. Active birds' nests are protected by law, so hedge cutting and clearance are best kept outside the main nesting season, roughly March to August, unless the hedge has been checked first.

Jobs we can find a landscaper for

Border design and planting plans
Hedge planting for privacy
Timber and metal pergolas
Raised beds and vegetable gardens
Garden screens and trellis

Get a quote for planting, pergolas and raised beds

Available across Kent

Dartford Gravesend Medway Maidstone Sevenoaks Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells Ashford Canterbury Thanet Folkestone & Hythe Dover & Deal Swale

Other services

Garden design and full landscaping · Patios and paving · Decking · Fencing and gates · Turfing, lawns and artificial grass

Read before you get quotes

Landscaping costs in Kent: what drives the price of a garden project Artificial grass or real turf? An honest comparison for Kent gardens Garden drainage and sloping gardens in Kent

Planting, pergolas and raised beds: common questions

Can I prune or remove a tree in my garden?

Usually, but not if it has a Tree Preservation Order without your council's consent, and in a conservation area you normally have to give six weeks' notice first. Check with your council before work starts.

Does a pergola need planning permission?

Most garden pergolas don't, but height limits apply near boundaries and the rules differ in front of the house, for listed buildings and in some conservation areas. Check the Planning Portal or ask your council.

Will the landscaper look after new planting?

Some offer aftercare or maintenance visits, others hand over with watering instructions. Ask before you accept a quote, as the first season matters most.