My garden is definitely three seasons, not four. I don’t care what it looks like in winter as it is too cold, wet and dark to be out there enjoying it. The curtains are drawn, the fire is blazing, the Christmas decorations are up and I ignore the garden until the snowdrops are budding.
I think it depends on the main function of your garden.
I'm designing two gardens currently. One is a forest garden and the most important elements are the conditions. Soil, sun, shade - I want mostly native plants, so what will grow best in which areas at different times of the year?
The other garden is for myself and my cats, so the most important aspect is the safety of the cats both physical and digestive. I have one cat that will try to eat pretty much every plant it can, so I've spent hours researching the toxicity of plants and planning the garden around what specimens I can plant. The space will be fenced with cat fencing (netting and wire mesh) so that I can still enjoy the surrounding view, but it will keep out the larger wildlife and offer protection for the cats, and in some instances, vice versa. I have to think about ornamental trees as cat ladders because the cats will climb them, so positioning is dependent upon where the fence is. Same with woody shrubs. I created a great space at my previous home that we all enjoyed and kept my cats contained and safe, so I'm doing it again at the new house.
New England, USA
Metacomet soil with hints of Woodbridge and Pillsbury
not big question at all. size and shape of walkways and access to plants and features to do maintenance are number one mistakes people make when designing a garden.
My current garden, since 2 years, is for me and it is evolving rather than being designed. The most important things for me is that there are flowers, roses, clematis, grass, trees and vegetables so they are all being added to the original large area of grass.
Like @Hostafan1 and @BenCotto I don't really care if it's bare in winter. I will be indoors in the warm and when I'm outside it will probably be for a walk, not in the garden. I'm not keen on topiary and evergreens, I like a looser look.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
I’ve lived here 35 years and I’m still trying to get my garden how I want it . One thing I would make sure I get right is where you put any hard landscape eg. pathways ,patios.( not decking ,it’s an invitation to the rat community) etc then decide on flowers veggies ,lawn etc .
Should have added that as well as the large area of grass there was already a decent patio outside the sitting room French windows and a path to the kitchen door.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
I'm intrigued that some of the devoted gardeners here ignore their gardens over winter! During those dark, gloomy days I couldn't bear looking at a wasteland. I'd really miss those fantastic frost formations on evergreens and the reflected light and shadows from the snowy outlines of bare trees and unpruned perennials. This may not persuade you, but here goes!
Posts
and access to plants and features to do maintenance
are number one mistakes people make when designing
a garden.
Like @Hostafan1 and @BenCotto I don't really care if it's bare in winter. I will be indoors in the warm and when I'm outside it will probably be for a walk, not in the garden. I'm not keen on topiary and evergreens, I like a looser look.
Edit - As @Joyce Goldenlily says.