Services
The Design Process
Designing a garden is always a collaborative process. My initial, no-obligation visit provides the chance to see your garden in person and talk through how you’d like it to work for you, your family, and your lifestyle, as well as discuss your budget and priorities. From this conversation, I’ll prepare a design brief and a quotation for the proposed work. The service can be tailored to your needs — from a planting plan for a single border to a complete garden redesign, covering everything from concept development through to detailed construction drawings, tendering, and project management.
Site Survey & Appraisal
It’s essential to work from accurate, up-to-date plans, especially when dealing with changes in ground levels. For most gardens, other than the smallest or completely flat ones, I recommend having a topographical survey carried out, and I can suggest reliable local surveyors if needed. This ensures the design process starts on solid foundations and helps prevent costly errors later on.
As part of the design process, I’ll also complete a full site appraisal, assessing factors such as sunlight and shade, soil conditions, existing hard and soft landscaping, views, access, services, and any legal considerations including listed status, protected trees, or conservation area restrictions.
Concept Presentation
The initial concept plan outlines the main elements of the garden, including structures, paths, patios, planting areas, and key structural planting such as trees and hedges. It also highlights any existing features that will be retained. At this stage, the design is intentionally not finalised, allowing space for feedback and refinements. A moodboard accompanies the concept, offering a visual reference for discussions about overall style, planting themes, and materials.
Masterplan
Once you are happy with the concept, this is worked up into a final masterplan, with additional 3D visuals, which can include a walk through animation of your new garden - a fantastic way to visualise the proposed design. Samples of proposed materials are presented and cost options are discussed.
Construction Detailing & Tendering
Detailed setting out plans and construction details are drawn up, enabling a landscape contractor to build the garden exactly to the agreed design. If you don’t already have a preferred contractor, I can recommend companies that I have worked with previously. I can also help with the tender process, preparing all the necessary documentation required to be sent to up to three contractors in order to obtain a range of comparable quotes.
Project Management
You may also want me to oversee the project build, to ensure that the garden is built exactly to specification. I will liaise with the contractors throughout the build, carrying out regular site visits to check materials, measurements and quality and dealing with any issues that may arise.
Planting Plans
Detailed planting plans are prepared according to your planting preferences and style, as well as the characteristics of the site.  These are accompanied by a plant moodboard and a seasonal maintenance schedule to help you manage your new garden.  If required I can also source top quality plants at competitive prices and arrange delivery and planting.