David McFarline from Forest Hill in South London turned his steeply inclined plot into a peaceful, tiered sanctuary using a series of steps to journey from a lower decked dining area to an upper seating area with pond. Shade-loving plants include two large tree ferns, several small trees, evergreen shrubs, climbers and ground cover. David was a finalist for our 2024 Gardens of the Year competition. Fancy your chances this year? The competition is now open, so if you’d love to see your garden