Soft landscaping is the living layer of a garden. It includes the trees, shrubs, hedges, turf and perennials that give an outdoor space its character, and it is the element that most shapes how a garden feels through the seasons. For homeowners in Bath, Bristol and Wiltshire, getting this layer right makes the difference between a garden that simply exists and one that welcomes you outside in every month of the year.
At Compass Garden Design, soft landscaping sits at the heart of what we do. Led by award-winning designer
Tom Murphy, the practice combines technical skill with a deep knowledge of plants to create gardens that are practical, beautiful and built to thrive. From a full garden redesign to a simple refresh of an established plot, professional planting services can transform the way your outside space looks and works.
What Is Soft Landscaping?
Soft landscaping refers to the living elements of a garden. Where hard landscaping covers patios, paving, ponds and other constructed features, soft landscaping is about planting. That includes every green and growing part of the garden: trees, shrubs, hedges, turf, flower beds and the perennials that return year after year.
You might think of soft landscaping as the garden’s structure as well as its decoration. A boundary hedge creates a clear edge to the plot, a formal lawn provides an open centrepiece, and an avenue of trees draws the eye along a path or drive. Each of these is a planting decision, and each has a lasting effect on how the garden is used and enjoyed. Used well, planting gives a garden definition, order and a sense of purpose.
Why Planting Matters in Garden Design
A well-designed garden is a balance between the built and the planted. Hard landscaping gives shape and function, but it is soft landscaping that softens those hard lines. A new patio or stretch of paving is transformed when framed by carefully chosen shrubs and herbaceous planting, and the same principle applies to walls, fences and garden structures.
Soft landscaping also creates structure and definition. A garden without clear planting feels unfinished, while one with too much planting can feel cramped. Professional designers use plants to define spaces, guide movement and connect different areas of the garden into a coherent whole. In the hands of an experienced soft landscaping specialist, planting becomes the element that ties everything together and gives the garden its identity.
Soft Landscaping Services Explained
Soft landscaping covers a wide range of services, and the right combination depends on your garden, your soil and the way you want to use the space. Here is what a professional planting service can include.
Trees and Shrubs
Trees are often the anchor of a garden. They provide height, shade and a sense of maturity, and they give wildlife a home. Shrubs fill the middle layer, offering structure, foliage colour and often flowers or berries across many months. A professional soft landscaping service can select, source and plant quality trees and shrubs that suit the soil, the aspect and the style of your home, giving the garden an instant framework that will only improve as the plants establish.
Hedges for Boundaries and Privacy
Hedges are one of the most versatile elements of soft landscaping. A well-planted boundary hedge defines the edge of your property, screens neighbours and offers a softer alternative to a fence. Hedges can be clipped tight for a formal look or allowed to grow more freely for a relaxed, wildlife-friendly boundary. They also work well inside the garden to divide one area from another, creating separate rooms for dining, playing or simply sitting quietly.
Turf and Lawns
Lawns are a central feature of many Bath and Bristol gardens. Whether you want a formal lawn as a clean centrepiece, a play area for children or a relaxed space for lounging in summer, the quality of the turf and the preparation of the ground beneath it determine how well it performs. Professional installation gives the new lawn the best possible start, saving the frustration of patchy grass and uneven surfaces later on.
Perennials and Seasonal Planting
Perennials are the workhorses of the planted garden. They come back year after year, filling borders with colour, texture and movement. A well-planned perennial scheme is designed to give interest across the seasons, so there is always something in flower or showing good foliage. Seasonal planting also includes spring bulbs, autumn grasses and the winter stems that keep a garden alive in the quiet months.
Aftercare and New Garden Maintenance
Soft landscaping does not end when the last plant goes in the ground. Newly planted gardens need watering, weeding and pruning while they establish, and even established gardens benefit from regular attention. Gardening services such as weeding, pruning and general tidying keep planting looking its best. Many soft landscaping specialists offer aftercare as part of their service, so your garden continues to thrive long after the planting is finished.
Designing for Year-Round Interest
The goal of professional soft landscaping is a garden that looks good in every season, not just in June. This is where horticultural knowledge becomes essential. A skilled designer selects plants for their flowering time, foliage, bark, berries and structure, then arranges them so that interest passes from one part of the garden to another as the year moves on.
Local conditions matter too. Gardens in and around Bath, Bristol and Wiltshire face different challenges, from heavy Wiltshire clay to the milder microclimates that can be found near the Bristol Channel. Choosing plants that suit these conditions makes a garden easier to maintain and far more reliable. This is where
plant consultancy and custom planting plans earn their keep, ensuring every plant has a purpose and a place that suits it.
Soft Landscaping for Different Homes
Bath and Bristol are full of very different gardens. Period homes often come with established walls, mature trees and a need for planting that complements the architecture.
New-builds, on the other hand, usually start with a blank, often compact plot that needs a scheme to give it instant structure. Terraced gardens present their own puzzle, with shade, narrow proportions and overlooked boundaries to manage. Front gardens add another layer of complexity, balancing kerb appeal with practicality.
A professional soft landscaping service can design planting for each of these situations. The approach might be a full garden redesign, from initial consultation through detailed plans to contractor coordination, or a focused planting project in an existing garden. Either way, the planting plan is tailored to the site, the soil and the way you want to live in the space.
Choosing a Soft Landscaping Specialist in Bath
Compass Garden Design is a soft landscaping specialist serving Bath and the surrounding area. Led by award-winning designer Tom Murphy, the team combines technical expertise with deep horticultural knowledge to create planting schemes that thrive long after the last plant goes in.
What sets Compass apart is the complete service. From the first consultation, Tom listens to your goals and takes the time to understand your site – the soil, the aspect, the light – before recommending a planting plan. He’ll talk you through the process step by step, from design through to planting and aftercare.
Compass also supplies quality plants at trade prices, so you get better value without compromising on plant health or variety. And because planting is only the start, the team provides aftercare advice to help your new garden establish and flourish. The result is a practical, beautiful outdoor space designed around the way you actually want to use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does soft landscaping include?
Soft landscaping covers the living elements of a garden. This includes trees, shrubs, perennials, hedges, turf and lawns, along with features created through planting such as boundary hedges, formal lawns, play areas and avenues of trees. It can also include planting around hard landscaping, garden maintenance and aftercare such as weeding and pruning. In short, soft landscaping is everything that makes a garden grow.
What is the difference between soft and hard landscaping?
Hard landscaping refers to the constructed elements of a garden, such as patios, paving, decking, walls and ponds. Soft landscaping refers to the planted elements: trees, shrubs, hedges, turf and perennials. Both are needed for a balanced garden. Hard landscaping provides structure and function, while soft landscaping softens the hard lines, adds colour and interest, and brings the whole design to life.
Which areas do you cover for soft landscaping?
Compass Garden Design provides soft landscaping and planting services across Bath, Bristol and Wiltshire, as well as the wider South of England. The team works with homeowners in Somerset, Hampshire and Surrey, and has experience with period homes, new-builds, terraced gardens and front gardens. If you are unsure whether your area is covered, the simplest step is to get in touch and ask.
Can I add soft landscaping to an existing garden?
Yes. Soft landscaping does not have to be part of a full garden redesign. Many homeowners bring in a specialist to refresh planting in an established garden, add a new hedge, replace a tired lawn or introduce trees and shrubs for more structure. A plant consultancy can assess your existing garden and create a custom planting plan that works with what is already there, giving your outdoor space a new lease of life.
