To my mind these plants should grow slowly and give many seasons of pleasure.

So I thought while having plenty of time at the moment with this isolation period, why not have some fun and create a garden of mostly slow-growing, and dare I say, well-behaved plants, as my 'dream garden'?

There are several shrubs and small trees that come to mind and consist mainly of those that naturally grow slowly rather than perennials which only have a few months to give enjoyment to garden visitors.

The walking areas of the garden could be put down to gravel, grasses or pavers bordered by a slow-growing member of the box family, Buxus macrophylla, to make a neat hedge while adding structure to the scene.

Most of my special plants prefer light shade and shelter from strong winds like Acer palmatum var. dissectum, a beautiful, slow-growing small tree reaching one metre high and 1.5m wide.

This Japanese maple features an elegant arching habit with delicate lacey foliage and attractive bark that adds interest to the winter landscape.

To add weight midway down the garden I have selected two Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' trees for their small purple spring flowers followed by winged seed pods that hang from the branches in clusters, and dark purple serrated leaves that turn a stunning crimson red in autumn.

These two Acers are punctuated with Cornus alternifolia 'Argentea' for its distinctive tiered, horizontal branching that turns up at the ends, and Cornus controversa 'Variegagta' another tiered form bearing clusters of small creamy white flowers to create an eye-catching focal point in the garden.

It's amazing that this tiered effect is achieved naturally and not by any artificial means like pruning.

l have placed Cornus controveresa 'Varigatun' at the far end of the garden framed by the other Cornus and the Acers as it grows wider.

This is another reason I placed it well away from the front of the garden where, after ten years, it should mature into a small tree three metres high by three metres wide.

Another lovely plant that grows in a tiered form is Vibernum plicatum 'Mariesii' with large, flat lace-cap white flowers which in autumn produces a dramatic display of reddish/purple foliage.

It grows about 2.5m tall with a spread of two metres.

A tree I grow in my own 'real' garden is Acer negundo 'Flamingo' which has a rounded habit with slightly pendulous outer branches and the most beautiful pink and cream variegated leaves.

This maple responds well to minimum pruning in winter to intensify the variegated leaves.

The ideal slow-growing evergreen shrubs are Pittosporum tenifolium 'Irene Paterson' with its speckled leaves and fine, variegated foliage, and the even-slower grower Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb' with its stunning, almost-black, foliage.

Two deciduous, slow-growing shrubs that combine well with azaleas and dwarf rhododendrons are Fothergillas with their honey-scented white flowers and brilliant foliage set on tangled branches and Enkianthus with clusters of beautiful, pendulous bell-shaped flowers.

While waiting for the shrubs to mature I have filled in the spaces between them with tulips, daffodils, alliums, liliums and lilies.

Some of these plants may be a little hard to find but there are similar types available or you can seek them out through specialist nurseries.

We gardeners at times tend to be in a hurry, but sometimes it's great just to sit back, relax and dream, and if you do this your garden will always be a source of great satisfaction and enjoyment.