Interview with Mark Latchford, Director of Landscaping at HollandGreen

You've described landscapes as spaces that should evolve and mature over decades rather than simply impress immediately. How does that philosophy shape the way you approach a new project?

Gardens are living spaces that evolve with the seasons and mature over decades. The same often applies to our clients, who are the custodians of each garden. Families grow, lifestyles change, and people move home, so we approach each design with this in mind from the beginning of each project. Thinking long term will help to futureproof a garden, whether it’s to phase a garden project and develop one area at a time, or to see a tree grow to full maturity over many years, almost like watching one of your own children grow. We often design with 100 years in mind, making sure that future generations will also benefit from each garden, but also the natural world and the surrounding ecosystems that inhabit each space. 

There’s a growing conversation around the garden becoming the “most important room in the house.” Have you seen clients’ attitudes towards outdoor spaces fundamentally change in recent years?

Yes, and I think there are several reasons for this. People’s relationship with gardens changed during COVID. With many working from home and unable to travel, the garden became one of the few places to step away from daily pressures. This has carried over into today’s world, with more people seeing the benefits of being outside in their gardens, almost like a personal sanctuary. Secondly, a lot of properties may have certain planning conditions associated with them, particularly heritage properties, meaning renovating or extending a house can sometimes be challenging. Or a house has already been developed, and PD rights or square footage have been maxed out. So, developing a garden to create extra space for relaxation or entertaining is often a way for people to create their own stamp on a property, making it feel their own. Third, with extensive research having been carried out and being readily available, we are far more aware of the scientifically proven benefits of spending time in nature to our physical health and mental well-being. 

To what extent do thoughtfully designed gardens and landscapes now influence the value and desirability of a property, particularly at the luxury end of the market?

Hugely. A professional, cohesive landscape can not only increase your property’s resale value, but also your enjoyment of spending time outside in nature. Investment in outdoor spaces can increase property value by as much as 10-15%. Estate agents often note that curb appeal through a well-designed garden is a top-selling feature for potential buyers. It’s not just the rear garden that is a benefit, first impressions start from the second the driveway gates open to reveal a property which attracts potential buyers. I often use the analogy that if you have two identical properties for sale, one has a beautifully designed approach and rear garden, the other is a flat lawn and fencing, interest will immediately be on the property that has been landscaped.

Your Chelsea Flower Show 2025 project, The Sanctuary for Blue Forest, was described as immersive and restorative. What role do you think gardens play in supporting wellbeing and mental health today?

It’s an inherent human trait to want to be outside in nature. The benefits of pausing and reconnecting with nature are widely documented to improve physical health and mental well-being by reducing blood pressure, as well as stress levels from the burnout of modern life. We took inspiration from the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, which involves slowing down and engaging your senses with the natural surroundings of a forest or woodland. Gardens are another place we can reconnect with nature. Putting your hands in soil, often called gardening therapy or "earthing", triggers a unique, beneficial biological interaction between soil microorganisms and your brain, which is a natural antidepressant. 

Biodiversity Net Gain is transforming the conversation around development and land use. How significant do you think this legislation will be in reshaping British gardens and landscapes over the next decade?

The UK is officially recognised as one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, ranking in the bottom 10% globally, which is not only shocking but also detrimental to future generations. BNG legislation is genuinely significant in combating this, representing a fundamental shift from merely mitigating harm to actively requiring measurable ecological improvement. It's mandatory 10% net gain requirement ensures nature can no longer be an afterthought. Over the next decade, it has real potential to reshape landscapes, encouraging wildlife corridors, native planting, and habitat creation as structural priorities, while also creating new revenue opportunities for landowners and farmers who manage land for biodiversity. However, its true impact will depend on the quality of enforcement and implementation, as there is a real risk that box-ticking replaces genuine ecological thinking. Ultimately, the cultural shift it is driving, establishing that nature has measurable value in land and development decisions, may prove more transformative than the legislation itself.

Sustainability is often discussed in architecture and interiors, but less so in garden design. What does a truly sustainable garden look like to you?

A truly sustainable garden goes far beyond recycled materials or a few native plants - it works with natural systems rather than against them, requiring minimal inputs of water, chemicals and energy whilst actively giving back to the ecosystem around it. To me, it prioritises living, healthy soil as its foundation, recognising that everything above ground depends on the biological activity beneath it. It embraces native and climate-adapted planting that supports local wildlife, manages water intelligently through rain gardens, swales and permeable surfaces, and resists the urge to over-manage, allowing a degree of wildness that nature can actually use. Crucially, a truly sustainable garden is also designed for longevity - using durable, responsibly sourced materials, avoiding throwaway planting trends, and being adaptable enough to evolve with a changing climate rather than needing constant reinvention.

You work across everything from urban gardens to expansive country estates and international schemes. Are there common mistakes people make when designing outdoor spaces, regardless of scale?

Not planning for the future is a common mistake we see. Longevity is key to garden design; planning and establishing a master plan early is essential. On a more granular level, opportunities to enhance a view out onto a garden can sometimes be missed. We spend approximately 70% of our time indoors looking out onto a garden, whether it’s from a kitchen sink, dining space or from an upstairs window, so ‘framing’ a view is key. Placing garden furniture right outside a door can block a view and make a space feel cluttered or claustrophobic. Instead, we’d often place furniture to one side away from the main view, but still within comfortable reach. As well as this, not making the most of the space available. Quite often, we will suggest placing additional seating areas further into the garden where it may catch the best light or provide stunning views to look back towards your home.

Many people still think of gardens primarily in aesthetic terms. How important is it for homeowners and developers to understand the ecological function of a landscape as well as its visual appeal?

Understanding the ecological function of a landscape is not just important - it is becoming essential, as gardens and green spaces collectively represent one of our most significant opportunities to address biodiversity loss. When homeowners and developers recognise that a well-designed garden can manage rainwater, support pollinators, reduce urban heat and improve wellbeing - all at the same time - it transforms how they think about outdoor space entirely. The brilliant thing is that ecological function and beauty are not in conflict; some of the most visually stunning gardens are also the most ecologically rich, and that is a genuinely compelling message to share.

What advice would you give someone looking to break into landscape design as a career?

Follow your heart. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different design styles and solutions. Look deeper than aesthetics and trends, take the time to study soil science and improvement methods to ensure planting can thrive for generations. Think long term, a timeless garden should be able to thrive for over 100 years without redevelopment. Listen to clients carefully; people are sometimes unable to articulate exactly what they like or dislike, so reading the room can often be important. If you can only plant one thing, plant a tree! The biodiversity benefits of a tree are huge and often longer-lasting. Spend time in lots of gardens, public and private. The more you see, the more you will notice how people use a space. Spend time investigating a site to gauge its sense of atmosphere and analyse its conditions, topography and the landscape in the surrounding area. You can often find key gems of information that might not be immediately obvious. 

Looking ahead, what trends or changes do you believe will define the future of the luxury landscape and garden design?

The future of luxury landscape and garden design will be increasingly shaped by the integration of sustainability and ecological responsibility, with HNW clients more frequently requesting designs that prioritise native planting, biodiversity, and water conservation without compromising on beauty or exclusivity. Smart technology will also play a growing role, becoming seamlessly embedded into outdoor spaces. There will also be a stronger emphasis on wellness and biophilic design, creating immersive natural environments that promote mental and physical well-being, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living. Additionally, climate-adaptive design will become essential, as designers, we will need to create resilient landscapes that can withstand increasingly unpredictable weather patterns while maintaining their aesthetic appeal year-round.