Bench under the Apple Tree (gouache style)

Garden seats have a long history in Britain, from the turf benches of medieval gardens to the wooden seat designed by Edwin Lutyens in the early twentieth century. Placing one under an old apple tree is a natural choice: blossom in spring, dappled shade in summer and fruit in autumn. Many gardens grew around a tree like this, planted by an earlier owner. Old orchard trees, with their hollows and lichens, are also valued as habitat for wildlife.

Spring bulbs suit the grass beneath a tree. Plant crocuses, daffodils and snowdrops in autumn, and don't mow over them until about six weeks after they've flowered. Prune the apple tree between November and February, removing dead or crossing branches to keep it open. A hardwood bench can be oiled once a year in dry weather, or left to weather to silver grey. Standing its feet on bricks or paving keeps them off wet soil and slows rot.

A weathered wooden bench sits under an old apple tree, with spring bulbs flowering around it. Spring was chosen because it's when the spot first draws you outside after winter. The worn bench and old tree suggest a place that's been used for years, somewhere to stop at the end of the day.