Getting Started
Before we begin:
Think about how you would like to use your garden. Perhaps for entertaining friends, parties, a place for the children to play or maybe just a place for you to potter around or read a book in the sun? Also consider how much you would be prepared to spend on your garden. Being clear in your own mind about your budget is a critical part of the whole process.
I am happy to offer some or all of the various stages/services depending on your budget and requirements. I aim to be entirely flexible.
The Process
Initial Visit & Consultation
It's a chance for us to meet, understand each other and to understand what you want from the site, as well as your likes and dislikes. This will help me visualise and create the perfect garden for you.
Design Proposal
I'll put in writing what we discussed at the initial consultation to summarise what you want from the garden. This will form the ‘brief’ for the design. I’ll also confirm the terms of business and the fees involved. The brief, costs and terms will be agreed by both parties before any work begins.
Survey
With smaller sites, I will do this myself, while larger or more complex sites may need the services of a professional surveyor. However, there may already be a detailed site survey in place for some projects — new builds, for example — and if you have one, I can work with that as long as it’s accurate. Characteristics of the garden will also be noted, such as soil type, soil pH and aspect.
The Concept and Master Plan
Based on the brief, survey and site analysis, a scaled design plan is produced for discussion with you. This will include areas of hard and soft landscaping, planting areas and any other key features. A moodboard will be created to help you visualise your new garden. This is the opportunity to make changes if required to create the final Master Plan. A dimension plan can also be provided which will include measurements and specifications which the landscaper will use to cost, layout and build your garden.
The Planting Plan
Detailed plans showing the exact position and quantities of plants. The plan is accompanied by a schedule of plants which will show plant names, sizes, and quantities, and is used to cost and order the plants. I will source plants from a reliable trade supplier at competitive prices and, on an hourly rate, position and/or plant out in smaller gardens.
Optional Stages
Tendering
At this stage there are a number of options: you may wish to do the work yourself or arrange for a landscape contractor to construct the garden. I can help with this process by putting the work out to tender on your behalf, and oversee the project through to completion. This will involve arranging quotes from one or more landscape companies, meeting the contractors on site to talk through the proposals and producing any specification documents and construction plans as required. On site project monitoring will include site visits at marking out stage and during construction to ensure the plan is being followed accurately.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
I can provide a maintenance schedule and advise on the ongoing care of the garden to keep it looking good.
Other services include the production of lighting plans and the sourcing of sundries such as pots, sculptures and the like.
The Brief -This medium sized garden was designed for a lady who had only recently recovered from illness and wished for a peaceful nature loving garden. Designed with naturalistic planting to appeal to wildlife, butterflies and bees, a tranquil water feature and clean symmetrical lines it provided a calm and relaxing haven away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
The Brief - The Client wished to have a circular seating area, a small parterre for herb growing and a water feature. The design incorporated a number of 'rooms' with different areas of interest.
The Brief - This large rural garden situated next to a river at the rear was to be designed providing two alternative layouts. The owners required areas for entertaining, vegetable and herb growing, and for it to be eco and family friendly. Planting was to include heather, plants originating from Ireland and an assortment of trees.
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The Brief - This garden was designed using architectural shapes and clean lines for a contemporary feel. Areas for relaxing and entertaining were included and minimal planting in line with the modern feel of the garden helps to keep it low maintenance.
The brief - This new build garden had various slopes to accommodate, needed to be practical and also attractive all year round from the large glass windows and doors leading onto it. A striking water feature acted as a focal point and a corner arbour offered a pretty area for evening drinks. Colourful, hard working plants interspersed with the clients fruit plants complete the design,
The Brief - In order to provide screening, reduce the noise from the nearby road and add security, acoustic fencing and hedging were installed in this garden as a priority. Soft curves, step-over espalier trees and cottage garden planting defined other different elements of the garden and an area away from the house was designed with golf practice and football in mind. Appropriate lighting was incorporated in the design.
The Brief - This coastal garden was to be a low maintenance gravel garden using drought tolerant planting and to include an attractive seating area with fire pit. A blue glass wall makes a stunning focal point, especially when uplit at night.
The Brief - The owners of this garden have young children so play areas have been incorporated into this garden as well as entertaining space for adults. Some interesting design features have given this small space interest and style.
Whether it’s revitalising an existing border, starting a new one, or redesigning the planting scheme for the entire garden, I will create original designs for plantings that will thrive in the particular conditions of your site. The service I offer is completely bespoke; I do as much or as little as you like.
The procedure and what you will get:
Step 1 – Initial Inquiry
I will provide a quotation depending on the size of your border.
Step 2- Consultation and Site visit
I will visit you and your garden to take exact measurements of your border and establish it's complexities, such as soil type, aspect, light levels etc, while also having a chat about what styles and preferences you have.
In order to proceed I require a signed copy of the terms and conditions and a 50% deposit.
Step 3 – Planting Design
What is included:
• A detailed A3 scaled plan showing the location and spacing of all the plants, with a shopping list summarizing the new plants. Consideration will have been given to the growth, size and habit of the plants in order for them to thrive, as well as providing all year-round interest.
• A Pictured Plant List is created which will show pictures of the plants included in the design to give you a feel of how it will look.
• Maintenance Schedule: There’s no such thing as a no-maintenance garden, but a plant maintenance schedule will help you keep your new planting looking best.
For Example
Would you spend more time in your garden if you had adequate lighting? Many may not think of the importance of lighting while planning out a landscape design. Lighting creates atmosphere, provides the option to dine al fresco, to highlight your favourite tree, or to simply prevent you from tripping down the stairs.
It can add serious glamor and in the winter, it can add a magical element to a snowy scene.
The Planting Plan is customised to your needs, colour preferences, skills and time. Plants are selected to give all round interest throughout the year and according to the climate and soil type.
I am happy to encorporate a Planting Plan as part of a Garden Design or within the Border Design Service.
A beautiful barn conversation now has a stylish front and rear garden - as the client said ‘the photos really don’t do it justice’ and she’s quite right. Clean lines and simplicity give it a contemporary feel while being sympathetic to the rural location. Perfect.
This tired townhouse garden is transformed into a beautiful haven for relaxing and enjoying nature.
What started as a field became a country garden with different ‘rooms’ for relaxing, entertaining, growing produce, or just reading a book with a glass of wine.
A new build garden the birds and bees love!
Curves in this garden soften the boundaries and create a more interesting journey around it.
A well placed Italian urn, a striking sculpture or the gentle sound of moving water can add the finishing stylish touches to a garden. I would be happy to source some thoughtful choices that I think will be perfect for your garden and arrange for them to be delivered to your door.
I realise everybody’s budget is different and my aim is to be as flexible as possible… I am more than happy to do as little or as much as you like.
After our initial consultation, I will present you with a written quotation for the proposed stages of work required. The cost is dependent on the complexity of the project.
Design fees start from £795.00.
Border Design Plans only - will be priced dependent on size but start from £450.00 .
Small Print
I am fully covered by Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance.
It is commonly accepted that a harmonious and thoughtful garden adds between 5 and 15% to the value to your property. Designing a new garden is then a worthwhile investment in monetary terms, in addition to the pleasure it brings.
