Few garden designers strike the balance between elegance and naturalism quite like Richard Miers. Known for his refined yet relaxed planting style, Richard has built a reputation for creating gardens that feel timeless, cohesive, and deeply connected to their surroundings. His work often blends classical structure with soft, flowing planting, resulting in spaces that are both practical and visually rich throughout the seasons.
Having trained at the Inchbald School of Design and with experience at Chelsea Flower Show - where his gardens have received critical acclaim - Richard brings a thoughtful, considered approach to every project. His philosophy centres around sustainability, harmony with nature, and planting that evolves beautifully over time.
We asked Richard to share some of his go-to planting insights - simple principles that can transform any garden.
What’s your number one planting tip?
Right plant, right place.
Select plants suited to the soil, light, and conditions, this is the foundation for healthy, thriving gardens.
What plant instantly elevates any garden?
Use Roses!
Roses remain a classic choice, but work best when integrated thoughtfully within a wider planting scheme.
What’s a common planting mistake people should avoid?
Avoid “one of everything”.
Repetition creates cohesion and impact. Limit the palette and repeat key plants to achieve a calm, unified feel.
Best low-maintenance plant you swear by?
Reliable performers.
Geranium ‘Rozanne’ is an excellent, long-flowering perennial that weaves beautifully through planting.
How do you make a garden look full quickly?
Layering for fullness.
Plant generously, particularly with herbaceous perennials, to create immediate impact.
- Short term: rely on herbaceous planting for fullness
- Long term: allow shrubs to establish and provide lasting structure
One tip for year-round colour?
Evergreen structure.
Incorporate evergreen shrubs, green is a colour in itself and provides year-round presence and balance.
What’s your favourite plant combo right now?
Effective plant combinations.
- Seasonal pots: Argyranthemum with Muehlenbeckia for a light, textural contrast.
- Borders: Astrantia, Erigeron Karvinskianus and hardy geraniums underplanting roses to soften the base and conceal bare soil.
What’s one easy way to make a garden more wildlife-friendly?
A naturalistic approach.
Avoid over-tidying and minimise chemical use.
- Leave fallen leaves to decompose naturally
- Cut back herbaceous plants seasonally
- Allow organic matter to enrich the soil, worms incorporate it as mulch, supporting a healthy ecosystem
What stands out in Richard Miers’ approach is not just plant choice, but restraint and intention. His gardens aren’t about cramming in variety - they’re about rhythm, repetition, and working with nature rather than against it. Whether you’re redesigning a large landscape or refreshing a small outdoor space, his advice comes back to a few enduring principles: understand your environment, plant with purpose, and allow time for the garden to mature.
At One.World, we believe great design extends beyond interiors - and Richard’s work is a reminder that outdoor spaces deserve the same level of care and creativity. By embracing thoughtful planting and a more natural approach, it’s possible to create gardens that feel both elevated and effortlessly alive.
The Garden Collection
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