Alan Titchmarsh has revealed the two additions he has made to his own garden to help make it "feel more special" - and the good news is plenty of us can do the same in our outdoor spaces.
Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned gardener, the desire to create a personal sanctuary right outside your back door is something many of us share. Outdoor spaces are among the most cherished and well-tended areas of the home.
And though summer is slowly winding down, there is still plenty of time to make the most of your garden before the temperature drops and the colder months set in. Some dedicated green-fingered enthusiasts are already laying the groundwork to ensure their outdoor space is in tip-top shape come summer 2027.
The power of a garden entrance
In a recent clip uploaded to TikTok, Alan spoke about the powerful impact of creating a proper "entrance" to your garden, and the striking difference it can make to the overall look and feel of the space.
Speaking directly to the camera, Alan began: "The thing about entrances is they're not just ways into a garden. They're invitations, temptations to explore. They draw you on, they frame the view, and they make the whole experience just that little bit more special."
He then went on to explain the approach he had taken in his own garden to establish a proper entrance. Alan explained: "In our garden, the entrance from the patio to the rest of the garden is framed by two black urns.
"They may not look like much at the moment, but with a little paint and the right choice of plants, they'll become the perfect introduction to any garden."
The clip revealed the urns positioned apart to give the impression of an outdoor "doorway", which helped to frame the garden vista.
Transforming with paint and plants
In the caption that went with the video, Alan went into more detail. He penned: "These two simple urns could transform the entrance.
"A good garden entrance should make you want to keep going. It's an invitation to explore, a way of framing the view, and a small detail that can make the entire experience feel more special.
"In our garden, two black urns mark the entrance from the patio into the rest of the garden."
He stressed that while "they don't look like much just yet", giving them a lick of paint and cultivating the "right choice of plants" will guarantee they become "the perfect introduction to everything beyond them".
The importance of plant diversity in gardens
In an earlier video, Alan emphasised how vital it is to allow a diverse range of flowers and plants to thrive in your garden.
He said: "I also have flower borders with all kinds of plants in, with pollen and nectar that wildlife, insects in particular, love.
"The biodiversity in the garden, the number of insect species in the garden, is greater than the number of insect species in the wildflower meadow. Worth remembering that."
