Transforming your garden dream into a reality can seem like a bewildering task. How to get from your blank canvas, seed of an idea or renovation challenge to a real live garden you're sitting in with a nice cold drink, smelling the roses?
Garden design services from professional garden designer are a step by step method, regulated by the Society of Garden Designers.
With the expertise, knowledge, and creative vision of a qualified garden designer, this professional process will give you a stunning outdoor space that you can relax in.
Whether you have a clear vision in mind or need a complete solution, garden design services include:
A deep, conversational consultation
A customised plan drawing
Budget and timeframe setting
Professional site surveys
The service is completely bespoke, but always includes a formal contract, clear fees, clear delivery expectations and health and safety measures.
No matter the size or style of your garden, the full remit of garden design services can unlock the potential of your site whether you desire a tranquil haven to escape the stresses of daily life or a vibrant space for entertaining.
Let's step into understanding more about how garden design services work, what they are, and what they are not.
The role of a garden designer
A garden designer can be the key to turning your garden dreams into reality. We bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, ensuring that your outdoor space is not only visually appealing but also functional and sustainable.
We solve site problems with creative flair and navigate the challenges that may arise during the process, challenges you might never see or expect if this is not your expertise.
We are professionals who specialises in creating the drawings and information needed by landscapers, planning officers and suppliers to bring your garden to life.
As the Society of Garden Designers outlines, in the same way that architects deliver creative design solutions for homes and buildings, and deliver plans to builders to achieve them, so garden designers work to deliver beautiful and creative spaces and then find landscapers to implements the carefully created and agreed design.
We are committed to professional development and our work is rigorously assessed in order to gain accreditation from our national body. I am in the process of adjudication and will be a fully registered member in 2024.
We listen to you, and then bring out wealth of knowledge to advise what will and won't work. Our garden design services cover hard landscaping, tree surveys, conservation areas, topographical surveys, water features and lighting, soil and growing media, mature and new plants.
Beautiful and useful is the game. In addition to the visual appeal, garden design services prioritise functionality. We consider how you intend to use the space and design it accordingly. Whether you want a dedicated area for outdoor dining, a play space for children, or a serene spot for relaxation, garden designers can incorporate these elements seamlessly into the overall design.
Our expertise ensures that every square inch of your garden is utilised effectively. We may even encourage you to leave some pieces of your wishlist out, if it will bring greater beauty and unity, and ultimately your increased enjoyment, to the design.
Melanie Hick, garden and landscape designer
Understanding the concept of garden and landscape design
Garden or landscape design is more than outdoor styling, although that can be part of the role.
Garden design is beauty achieved by thought, and problem-solving with intent. It takes into account all the challenges and opportunities to deliver a cohesive outdoor space that brings peace and a greater connection to nature.
A lot goes on behind the beautiful pictures at the end of the build. The designer has considered your unique geographical situation, soil type, relationship to building and hazards such as water courses, site access, material performance, plant appropriateness to delivery you simple beauty.
A garden is in essence the interaction between humans and nature, and garden design arranges nature in a way that works for you. That may he highly stylised, it may serve local wildlife or it may yield fruit.
Ten steps in the garden design process
Garden design is the process of creating an outdoor space that is both visually appealing and functional. It involves careful planning, consideration of various elements, and the integration of different design principles. Most of all, it involves clear and open communication, and it all starts with a good long interview.
Initial Consultation. Contact me for a free phone consultation, learn about costs and share your location, budget and dreams. The first step in the garden design process is an initial consultation with myself or a member of my team and you, the garden lover. During this meeting, we will discuss your ideas, preferences, and budget.
Brief-taking. This part is our deeper conversation. I listen to you and take an in-depth brief, this is reversed to you and signed off before any design work begins. This will be accompanied by terms and a fee proposal with payment and delivery stages.
Site survey. At this point a surveyor will be contacted to create a highly detailed survey to base your plan on.
Site Analysis: After the initial consultation, I will conduct a thorough site analysis. This involves assessing the soil conditions, drainage, sunlight exposure, and existing landscape features. By understanding these factors, garden designers can create a design that is tailored to the specific site conditions. This may reveal the need for additional surveys, such as tree or bat surveys. Historical research may need to be undertaken at this point.
Concept Development: Once the site analysis is complete, I will develop a concept for your garden. This involves taking on your brief, my knowledge and the site specifics to creating images such as sketches, mood boards and 3D renderings to help you visualise the final result. I will present these concepts to you for feedback and make any necessary revisions.
Design Development: When the concept is approved I move on to technical design. This involves creating detailed plans, including planting plans, hardscape layouts, and construction details. Garden designers will also select the appropriate materials, plants, and finishes for your garden. We design to your brief, noting your budget, and communicating that we cannot control the final cost as that is at the mercy of the contractors and supply chain costs. The design is presented, rounds of changes as required. We also develop the site health and safety assessment at this point.
Tender: Once the design has been agreed, we go to tender and help you appoint a contractor you are happy with, who can complete the work you require. We will work closely with contractors, landscapers, and other professionals to ensure that the design is executed according to plan.
You appoint your chosen contractor and agree costs and timelines with them.
Implementation: Selected contractor is contracted to you and receives technical drawings to work to. Garden designers will also provide guidance and supervision throughout the construction process. This is called project oversight. Complex sites can have an additional project manager hired for the job.
Project completion. Sit and enjoy your garden!
Creating a garden design plan
An example plan with dimensions.
The plan is the information that you, I and the landscaper need to build the garden you want, and that we have agreed. This is a technical document and forms our contract of what will be delivered.
The creation of the garden design plan is complex, and goes on behind the scenes after we have had our deep briefing sessions.
We start with a survey from a nationally-recognised provider, this may reveal the need for other types of surveys such as conservation, bats, trees of historical research. One site I worked on is built on the remains of a Georgian Palladian mansion, so the undulating grounds revealed in the survey tell us of avenues and paths past.
Creating a garden design plan is a crucial step in the garden design process. It serves as a roadmap for the implementation of the project and ensures that all aspects of the design are considered. A well-thought-out garden design plan takes into account factors such as the layout, levels and site hazards. We are looking to convey an elegant simplicity that gives an end result that feels like it was always there.
Next, we garden designers will consider the layout of the garden. This includes determining the location of different areas, such as seating areas, walkways, and planting beds. We consider how these areas will flow together and ensure that there is a sense of harmony and balance in the overall design.
Plant selection and planting design is the cherry on the top at this point. It is an important aspect of the garden design plan, and is a communication document for the soft landscaper to install. Garden designers will consider factors such as the climate, soil conditions, and maintenance requirements when selecting plants for your garden. They will also consider the desired color scheme and texture, ensuring that the plants chosen complement the overall design.
Hardscape elements, such as patios, decks, and pathways, are also included in the garden design plan. Garden designers will consider the appropriate materials, finishes, and sizes for these elements, ensuring that they enhance the overall aesthetics of the garden. You will have samples of these to approve during the design process.
Incorporating sustainability and climate resilience
Our changing climate is at the heart of our practice.
Sustainability and climate resilience are two of the most important elements in garden design. Garden design services must incorporate sustainable practices into their designs to minimise environmental impact and create more resilient and biodiverse outdoor spaces. For example, we at the Society of Garden Designers campaign against plastic "grass".
As an Australian, one way my garden design services promote sustainability is through water conservation. I recommend the use of drought-tolerant plants, efficient irrigation systems, and rainwater harvesting techniques to reduce water consumption. By selecting plants that are well-suited to the local climate, garden designers can minimise the need for excessive watering. Not all sites will experience drought, and hydrology is part of your site assessment. You may experience the opposite, flooding rains and a high water table. That too will be taken into account.
The use of organic and natural materials is crucial both for growing media and to cut down on carbon emissions from manufacturing. We may recommend the use of organic fertilisers, mulch, and compost to enrich the soil and promote healthy plant growth. We may also recommend no additions to the soil, and to treat the site as a low-nutrient environment beloved of many plants.
We always look to recycled or locally-sourced materials for hardscape elements, reducing the carbon footprint of the project. If noise and amenity allow, we will crush material on site, and reuse it rather than chuck it in a skip.
Biodiverse outdoor spaces are so much more than a few "plants for pollinators" and entomologists are available to study each site and make recommendations for plant communities that will support the full lifecycle of valuable species. We will incorporate native plants and given the dearth of those, create habitats that attract pollinators and wildlife with appropriate species.
This practice reconnects you to the earth and makes for a garden that is more than a place to relax.
Plant selection
Succulents chosen for a sunny, dry position that won’t succumb to frost.
When it comes to plant selection, we are looking to deliver a simple and beautiful scheme that serves you and the planet.
Garden designers consider factors such as the climate, soil conditions, and maintenance requirements. They will recommend plants that are suitable for your specific location, ensuring that they thrive in the given conditions. Garden designers will also consider factors such as the desired colour scheme, texture, and seasonal interest when selecting plants for your garden.
Choosing the right plants and materials is essential for creating a garden that is not only visually appealing but also functional and sustainable. Garden design services have the knowledge and expertise to guide you in making informed choices and ensure that your garden is a true reflection of your style and personality.
We source from a range of trusted nurseries and will secure the ideal specimen plants in advance of your build schedule, to ensure we can deliver the look you want.
Budgeting
Budgeting and finance are important aspects of every garden design project. Garden design services can help you establish a realistic budget and ensure that what goes into your wishlist is achieveable. As always, we are at the behest by the landscaper you choose and the material costs, so we cannot guarantee a project price. However we do keep your budget in mind to help you get the garden you want.
When it comes to budgeting, garden designers will take into account various factors, such as the size of the garden, the complexity of the design, and the materials and plants selected. We will help you prioritize your needs and wants based on your budget and recommend where to spend and where to save.
When appointing your landscaper, we do often say cheapest is not always best. There are many affordable suppliers of course, But we want to help you to avoid appointing a landscaper who may have underestimated costs or left elements our of their quote that we know will soon add up.
We also appreciate that there are times of the year when you would prefer to commit to fees, such as bonus time or dates around mortgages. As with every element of the design process, communication of this information is key.
Finally, transforming your outdoor space with professional garden design services
Hopefully this article has helped to clarify the full list of garden design services that are part of working with a garden designer.
Up next, I will detail the services we offer around plants - what to plant and when, as although most of us are across the basics of the seasons, it's not always obvious what happens when in the gardening world.
