Welcome
Spring is where everything begins again. After the stillness of winter, gardens soften. Light lingers longer, movement returns, and spaces begin to feel alive once more.
This edition of The MRL Edit explores a more relaxed, expressive approach to garden design, where structure is softened by layered planting, and outdoor spaces feel intuitive, connected and effortless. As the season unfolds, gardens shift from something observed to something experienced opening up, becoming more immersive, and more connected to the way we live.
From meadow-style planting to sculptural hedging, Mediterranean textures to refined garden kitchens, this issue is about creating spaces that feel as beautiful as they are liveable.
Spaces designed not just to be seen - but to be lived in.
A Spring Moment from the Team
To celebrate the season, we invited the team to capture their favourite spring moment, a simple reflection of the details that bring a garden to life at this time of year. Our winner, Emiliano, captured a beautiful image of spring blossom, a reminder of how powerful these fleeting, seasonal moments can be within a space.
It’s these small details that often leave the biggest impression.
Oscar Marsland-Roberts Founder & Director MRLandscapes
A Proud Milestone for MRLandscapes
We’re delighted to share that MRLandscapes has been shortlisted for a Pro Landscaper Business Award.
This recognition reflects the continued growth of the studio, our commitment to design-led landscapes, and the work of an incredible team behind every project.
Website: mrlandscapes.co.uk
Email us: info@mrlandscapes.co.uk Call us: 02080 872334
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Image Credits
All images unless stated © MRLandscapes. Front Cover iStock: Antoninapotapenko. Page 2 Aleks Ozols. Page 3 Top Right Aleks Ozols Middle iStock: photovideostock Bottom iStock: Artem Kniaz. Page 4 Main Aleks Ozols Bottom Left Nigel R Glasgow. Page 5 Top Left and Middle Left Aleks Ozols. Page 6 All Nigel R Glasgow. Page 7 Emiliano Ndoj. Page 8 All Aleks Ozols. Page 9 Top Right iStock: BethAmber Middle Right iStock: KatarzynaBialasiewicz Bottom Right iStock: Thomas Bullock. Page 10 Main: brizmaker Left Bottom: Antoninapotapenko. Page 11 Top Middle and Top Right Gemma Charles Right Middle iStock: RonyZmiri Right Bottom iStock: RASimon. Page 12 Left Middle iStock: BanksPhotos Left Bottom iStock: piyaset Right Middle iStock: PeopleImages. Page 13 - Left Top iStock: MDV Edwards Right Middle: PaulMaguire iStock: Left Bottom iStock: Sanghwan Kim. Page 14
Main iStock: photovideostock. Page 15 Right Top iStock: penguenstok. Page 16
Main iStock: Artem Kniaz Left Bottom iStock: Herzstaub. Page 17 Right Top iStock: davidhills. Page 18 iStock: MurzikNata. Page 19 Left Middle iStock: welcomia Left Bottom iStock: Miroha141 Right Top iStock: RossHelen Right Middle iStock: Ivan Camilo Cardenas Right Bottom iStock: Antoninapotapenko. Outside Back Cover iStock: KatarzynaBialasiewicz.
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The Transformation Edit
A garden reimagined through structure, flow and thoughtful design.
Lighting for Spring
How considered lighting transforms the garden from day into evening.
Magnolia
A defining feature of spring, bringing softness, light and seasonal beauty.
The Spring Luxury
Seamless indoor-outdoor living, relaxed seating and refined garden kitchens.
Mediterranean Textures
A softer, tactile palette that connects architecture and planting.
The Spring Protection Edit
Essential steps to prepare your garden for the season ahead.
Dining in the Garden
Spaces designed for long lunches, relaxed evenings and effortless hosting.
Sculptural Hedging
The rise of soft structure and architectural planting.
The Spring Pour
A light, seasonal drink for longer days outdoors.
The Summer Edit Preview
A glimpse into the next season of outdoor living.
Layered planting and structured pathways
A balance of movement, texture and defined design.
Outdoor living, seamlessly connected
Spaces designed for comfort, flow and everyday use.
Sculptural hedging in soft formation
Structure reimagined through natural, organic form.
A Garden Designed for Light, Movement and Flow
Some gardens reveal themselves gradually.
This garden was designed to embrace the softness and energy of spring, where planting lifts, light filters through new growth, and spaces begin to feel open and alive.
Views are carefully framed to draw the eye through the space, while subtle level changes and pathways create a gentle rhythm as you move through the garden.
Designed Movement
The layout is intentionally calm and balanced. Defined zones create structure, while softened planting edges introduce movement and a sense of ease. As the season progresses, the garden becomes more immersive, evolving naturally without ever feeling overdesigned.
Views are carefully framed to draw the eye through the space, while subtle level changes and pathways create a gentle rhythm as you move through the garden.
It is a space designed not for a single moment, but for the way life unfolds within it.
Designing with Atmosphere
As the days begin to lengthen, lighting shifts from necessity to atmosphere.
In spring, gardens are experienced differently. Early evenings stretch a little further, and the transition from day to dusk becomes part of how the space is used. Lighting plays a quieter, more refined role, enhancing rather than defining.
At MRLandscapes, we approach spring lighting with subtlety and intent.
Rather than uniform illumination, we layer light throughout the space. Soft uplighting through blossom trees, gentle washes across planting, and low-level pathway lighting create depth without overpowering the garden. The aim is to work with natural light, not compete with it.
As planting begins to emerge and textures soften, lighting highlights these changes, drawing attention
to movement, form and seasonal detail. The result is a garden that feels calm, immersive and beautifully considered from day into evening.
The Spring Signature Magnolia
Few moments in the garden feel as quietly striking as the arrival of magnolia in bloom.
Appearing before the leaves emerge, its large, sculptural flowers create an immediate sense of presence - soft in colour, yet architectural in form. Shades of blush, white and deep pink bring warmth to the early season, standing out against the stillness of the surrounding landscape.
Unlike lighter blossom, magnolia has weight and structure. Its branches form a strong, elegant framework, while the blooms themselves
introduce a softness that feels both refined and understated. Positioned thoughtfully, it becomes a natural focal point, drawing the eye and anchoring the space.
As the season progresses, fresh green foliage follows, allowing the tree to settle more quietly into the wider planting scheme.
Timeless, sculptural and deeply seasonal, magnolia captures the essence of the spring garden - a moment of transition, where structure and softness exist in perfect balance.
Captured by Emiliano, MRLandscapes teamSpring 2026
The New Spring Luxury
Modern garden design is no longer defined by seasons, but by how a space is experienced.
Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Living Layouts that allow movement between inside and outside to feel effortless, enhancing both everyday living and entertaining.practical.
Layered Planting
A considered mix of planting that introduces movement, texture and seasonal variation throughout the garden.
Relaxed Seating Zones
Comfortable, informal spaces designed for both quiet moments and social gatherings.
Refined
Garden Kitchens
Designed as a natural extension of the home, combining functionality with understated materials and clean, balanced proportions.
Light Stone & Mediterranean Textures
Spring introduces a softer material palette.
Light-toned stone, clay finishes and gently textured surfaces bring warmth and tactility to the garden, creating a natural transition between architecture and planting.
These materials reflect changing light throughout the day, adding depth and subtle variation to the space. Over time, they weather beautifully, developing character and enhancing the overall design. Used thoughtfully, they soften architectural lines and create a sense of cohesion between the home and garden — grounding the space while allowing planting to take centre stage.
2 The Spring Protection Edit
Your garden in spring requires thoughtful preparation.
Lawn Preparation
Scarifying, aerating and feeding helps restore lawn health after winter and encourages strong, even growth.
Soil Conditioning
Adding organic matter improves soil structure, drainage and nutrient retention, supporting healthy planting throughout the season.
Early Planting
Introducing structure early allows the garden to establish quickly and creates a strong foundation for seasonal layering.
Pruning
Shaping shrubs and removing winter damage encourages fresh growth and maintains a balanced structure. Spring pruning also helps control form and density, ensuring planting remains proportionate and in harmony with the overall design.
Irrigation Checks
Ensuring systems are working efficiently now helps prevent stress on planting as temperatures begin to rise. Checking for blockages, leaks or uneven coverage early in the season allows adjustments to be made before growth accelerates, supporting healthier, more resilient planting.
Mulching
A generous layer helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature and suppress early weed growth. It also improves soil health over time, supporting stronger root development and reducing the need for intervention later in the season.
Many of these tasks build on winter preparation, reinforcing the importance of a consistent, seasonal approach to garden care.
Outdoor Dining: Designed for Spring Living
As the season shifts, the garden becomes a place to gather.
Outdoor dining in spring is less about formality and more about ease. Relaxed, intuitive spaces that invite you to spend longer outside as the days begin to stretch.
At MRLandscapes, dining areas are designed as part of the overall garden composition, not as standalone features. Placement is key. Positioned to capture light, connect to the home, and sit comfortably within the landscape, these spaces feel natural rather than imposed.
Materials
play an important role.
Natural stone underfoot, warm timber elements and soft planting edges create a setting that feels both refined and welcoming. Furniture is considered but understated, allowing the surroundings to take focus.
Planting is used to frame and soften the space, introducing movement and seasonal interest without overwhelming it. As spring progresses, these areas become more immersive, evolving with the garden around them.
Lighting extends their use into the evening, creating atmosphere without disruption.
The result is a space that feels effortless.
A place for slow mornings, long lunches and evenings that carry on just a little later than expected.
The Rise of Sculptural Hedging
Structure remains at the heart of every well-designed garden, but increasingly, it is being expressed in more refined and creative ways.
Cloud pruning is a defining example of this approach.
Layered green forms appear to float within the landscape, creating depth and visual interest while maintaining a calm, controlled aesthetic. These shapes act as anchors within more naturalistic planting schemes, providing contrast without disruption. This balance is key.
Sculptural hedging introduces form with a sense of softness and artistry. Rather than rigid lines or traditional boundaries, planting is shaped into flowing, organic forms that create rhythm and movement throughout the space.
Strong structure gives clarity to the garden, while softened edges ensure it never feels overly formal. The result is a space that feels composed but not constrained.
Over time, these elements develop character, becoming more refined as they mature.
The Spring Pour: Citrus & Elderflower Spritz
A light, refreshing drink designed for longer days and softer evenings. Fresh citrus, a hint of elderflower and sparkling water combine to create a simple, elegant serve. Perfect for enjoying outdoors as the garden comes to life.
Ingredients
Handful of ice
25ml elderflower liqueur
20ml gin
90ml prosecco
35ml soda water for topping up
Lime slices to garnish
Instructions
Step 01
Fill a tumbler with ice, then pour over the elderflower liqueur.
Step 02
Add the gin and prosecco, then top up with soda water and garnish with lime slices to serve.
The Summer Edit Preview
As spring settles and gardens reach their fullest expression, the next season begins to reveal itself.
Summer is about immersion. Richer planting, deeper colour, and spaces designed for long, unhurried days outdoors. Gardens become more social, more expressive, and more connected to the way we live.
Our Summer edition will explore a more vibrant layer of outdoor living, where structure softens further and planting takes centre stage.
Designed for entertaining, blending seamlessly with the architecture of
Summer Lighting
Warmer, more atmospheric schemes for long evenings outdoors.
Water Features
Introducing movement, reflection and a sense of calm within the garden.architecture of the home.
Layered Planting At Its Peak Bold, textural combinations that bring depth and seasonal richness.calm within the garden.
Shade & Structure
Pergolas, screens and planting used to create comfort and definition.
Outdoor Kitchens & BBQ Spaces
the home.
