Following an email enquiry, I’ll contact you to ask some brief details about your plans for the garden, timings and key requirements. I can then arrange a site visit to walk through the garden area with you and your builder/landscaper (if required) to gain a more detailed perspective. I may send you a questionnaire in advance to help you think through all the aspects of what you need or we can go through it at the site.
You may require just a refresh of a tired border or a full garden makeover following building work. I am happy to provide a Planting Scheme layout or a full Garden Design as required.
Following the visit, I’ll send you a summary of your requirements, with details of my fees and options for any additional services.
If you wish to go ahead, I will arrange a visit to start the design process. This will include taking detailed measurements of the garden or areas that require planting, assessing any existing plants that are to be retained and taking soil samples to measure the PH value of the garden and any soil deficiencies. Depending on the size of the garden this may take a few hours to complete.
I then create an initial draft Planting Scheme and Mood Board, based on your preferred style and ideas we will have discussed.We will then review the ideas together to agree a final design. It is important at this stage that all interested parties attend as this is the moment to ensure that you are happy with everything that is proposed.
If a full design involving hard landscaping or lighting is required, I will produce a scaled plan and documentation suitable for inviting landscapers and electricians to tender for the work. Once the landscaper is appointed, I can liaise with them on the project management and co-ordination of the design if required.Whilst I am happy to provide a Planting Scheme that can be managed as easily as you require, I do enjoy encouraging clients to get involved in the future progression of the garden and will also provide suggestions for seasonal planting additions, such as Spring bulbs and pot displays.
Once the Design is agreed and you are happy to proceed, I will then work to produce a scaled Design, Planting layout and full Plant List including recommended sizes and form of plants.
The Plant List and Planting Scheme can be provided for yourself or your gardener to use to source the plants and plant them.
I am available to work with you or your gardener on Planting Day to ensure your plants are correctly positioned according to the design and that they get the best possible start in the garden.
I also work with a fully qualified gardener if you prefer me to carry out the sourcing of plants from professional nurseries and to arrange the planting. I can provide an estimate for how long the planting will take, but this can be affected by weather conditions, nursery deliveries etc so may vary.
Some plants may need to be ordered at different times in order to reflect seasonality, so planting may need to be undertaken in stages. For example if the garden is being planted in May then a return visit in October/November will be needed to add in any Spring bulbs that are part of the Design.
Most clients have asked me to fully manage the whole process, whereas others with more gardening experience have been very happy to undertake their own plant purchases and the planting of the Design.
Previous clients have asked me to fully manage the whole process, whereas others have been very happy to undertake their own plant purchases and the planting of the Design.
Whilst I do not provide physical maintenance services, I can provide a maintenance guide to help you look after the garden going forward. This could include details explaining best watering practice or how to deadhead plants. It may also provide you with instructions for a monthly maintenance schedule bespoke to the plants in your garden.
All gardens need some maintenance even if it is just correct watering. Your availability for maintaining the garden will be a key part of our initial discussions.
You may have inherited a garden whose layout you love, but which is looking tired and neglected. Plants die off and fail to thrive in less-than-ideal conditions. Borders become congested and lose their flow. Or the garden may no longer suit your current requirements and needs a review. The garden may not need a complete re-laying out but just a good refresh and input of new plant interest for you.
I am very happy to work with you in refreshing and reviving your existing garden.
All gardens evolve over the seasons. Some plants may outgrow their space, others may fail to thrive due to inclement weather or damage by predators or are affected by a neighbour’s renovations. I’m happy to provide an update service during the gardening calendar to fill gaps, revive the colour mix or add in annuals.
You may just feel a bit daunted when visiting a garden centre or nursery to add in seasonal planting and would appreciate a guiding hand. I am happy to accompany clients on plant purchase expeditions in the West London area and to advise on the best quality and value of purchase.