How to Restore an Overgrown Garden

Almost every overgrown garden contains good plants worth saving: a mature shrub rose lost under brambles, a well-placed tree, hedging that only needs renovation rather than replacement.

Stage one: see what you have

Clear only the obvious rubbish and annual weed growth first, then wait a full season if you can. Bulbs, peonies and long-forgotten perennials will show themselves.

Stage two: structure

Renovate hedges and overgrown shrubs across two or three winters rather than all at once. Hard renovation in a single season can kill a plant that would have recovered gradually.

Stage three: soil and replanting

Tackle perennial weeds thoroughly before replanting — couch grass and bindweed left in a new border will undo the work. Improve the soil, then plant.