More than 4,500 customers across East Anglia have told Perrywood Garden Centres that their garden is their number one happy place – and the results have shaped everything the family-run business is doing in 2026.

A major new customer survey, the largest Perrywood has carried out, found that 95% of respondents enjoy spending time in their garden, with 44% saying they do so as often as possible. Almost all (97%) agreed that time outdoors makes a meaningful difference to their health and wellbeing.

The findings have inspired Perrywood's theme for the year: Your Garden, Your Happy Place — a celebration of the everyday ways people use and value their outdoor spaces, whether that's growing veg with the kids, feeding the birds, or simply looking out of the kitchen window at a flowering tree or blooming pots and hanging baskets.

More than just a growing space

The survey revealed gardens are pulled in many directions at once. Growing plants came out on top (93%), but practical use, such as hanging out washing, wasn't far behind (86%). A third of customers (36%) said their garden is primarily a space for pets, and nearly one in five (19%) use it as a children's play area.

Interestingly, 71% of respondents said they value being able to look out at their garden from indoors — a reminder that good planting earns its keep all year round, not just when standing in it.

When asked what gardening inspiration would be most useful, customers were clear:

• Seasonal colour and planting ideas (75%)
• Wildlife-friendly gardening (63%)
• Low-maintenance ideas (62%)
• Growing fruit and vegetables (44%)

Their dream gardens, in their own words, were strikingly consistent: spaces full of plants, wildlife, birdsong and somewhere comfortable to sit. Here are a few examples, we have many more:

“A place full of plants and wildlife where I can sit and relax and watch all the wonders of nature.”

“A garden full of wildlife, with birds, bees and butterflies everywhere.”

“A big space that can be enjoyed by all. A nice outdoor seating area for entertaining. Beautiful flowers that attract wildlife.”

Brought to life in Sudbury

Perrywood Sudbury officially launched the theme on Wednesday, 15th April, with a VIP Spring Event attended by local customers, Perrywood team and special guests.

Three new display gardens were unveiled on the evening — a relaxation garden, an entertaining space, and a family growing garden. Each was given a live demonstration: a yoga instructor leading poses among the planting, food cooking on the BBQ, and hands-on growing activities for families with Veg Trug. The Sudbury Art Collective were on hand to show how gardens can inspire art.

Louise Smith, Senior Communications Manager at Perrywood, said: "Gardens mean something really personal to people — that came through clearly in every response we read. Whether it's growing food, watching the birds, or just having a place to decompress at the end of the day, outdoor spaces are positively improving people's mental health and happiness. We wanted our display gardens this year to reflect that."

The survey findings will also shape Perrywood's events programme throughout the season, including its popular Cream Tea with a Plant Expert sessions.

Perrywood Garden Centres operates across three sites in Essex and Suffolk, employing over 350 people. The survey was completed by more than 4,500 customers ahead of the 2026 season.