About
Melanie Hick
Garden Design
Ecologically Sophisticated Landscape Design for Substantial Properties
Melanie Hick Garden Design creates naturalistic landscapes for clients with extensive grounds who seek to transform their land into functioning ecosystems.
Based in London, the practice works across the UK and internationally, serving discerning property owners who value ecological integrity alongside refined spatial design.
Within our team we have designers, landscape architects, ecologists, 3D rendered artists and drafting specialists.
Our approach combines rigorous ecological principles with contemporary landscape design, establishing self-sustaining plant communities that support biodiversity at a meaningful scale. Each project begins with comprehensive site analysis—understanding soil ecology, hydrology, existing vegetation, and microclimate patterns—to inform planting strategies that will mature and evolve over decades.
We work primarily on properties of acres, walled gardens for adventurous spirits, where interventions create genuine habitat value. Projects range from planting design to estate masterplanning, planting for pollinators and bats, meadow establishment and woodland edge enhancement.
Email melanie@melaniehick.com
Call or Whatsapp +447964944692
About Melanie
Melanie Hick brings a distinctive combination of ecological expertise and international project leadership to landscape design practice.
Growing up on extensive properties in Victoria, Australia's garden state, instilled an intuitive understanding of working with landscape at scale - observing how native eucalyptus woodlands, introduced perennial plantings, and agricultural land interact across large sites. This formative experience informs her approach to estate-scale design today.
Her RHS Silver-Gilt medal at Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2024 recognised the Climate-Forward Garden, demonstrating expertise in creating resilient, ecologically informed planting schemes for contemporary climate conditions.
Formally trained at Capel Manor College, Melanie's design education is complemented by two decades managing complex, high-value projects across global markets. Her career spanning major media organisations and luxury ecommerce businesses—including MTV and Net-a-Porter—developed the strategic thinking and meticulous project execution that now serves clients undertaking multi-year landscape transformations.
This combination of horticultural knowledge, ecological understanding, and sophisticated project management creates a practice uniquely positioned to deliver ambitious landscape visions on substantial properties.
Email melanie@melaniehick.com
Call or Whatsapp +447964944692
Working together
We engage with clients who are thinking long-term about their land - whether that's a recently acquired estate requiring comprehensive masterplanning, or mature grounds needing ecological enhancement and spatial refinement.
Our process typically spans 12-24 months from initial consultation through to planting completion, with ongoing adaptive management guidance. We collaborate closely with estate managers, land stewards, specialist contractors to ensure ecological objectives are achieved alongside design aspirations.
Projects often include:
Comprehensive estate masterplanning and phased implementation strategies
Meadow and prairie establishment using ecologically appropriate seed mixes
Woodland understorey enhancement and edge habitat creation
Wetland and riparian corridor design
Integration of formal garden elements within naturalistic settings
Long-term management plans supporting biodiversity goals
Email melanie@melaniehick.com
Call or Whatsapp +447964944692
Values and standards
Melanie Hick Garden Design operates to the highest environmental standards, working toward UN Race to Zero principles and aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals. We use Elemental, BNG calculators, small site urban greening and London plan guidelines.
Ecological function combines with aesthetic – Design decisions are led by habitat value and long-term sustainability
Peat-free growing media and responsible sourcing from specialist nurseries
Native and climate-appropriate species selection informed by research
Soil biome health as the foundation of resilient landscapes
Transparency in environmental impact across material selection and construction methodologies
Press
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THE TELEGRAPH
How gardening became young, hip and urban
Melanie has long loved growing her own food and is inspired by the gardener behind New York’s High Line, Piet Oudolf – before she got a vegetable patch, she squeezed in raspberries, tomatoes, courgettes and more into the tiny front garden of a Victorian terraced house.
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HOUZZ
How to Make Your Lawn More Wildlife-friendly and Sustainable
“The easy way to add more interest and species to your lawn is to inject plugs of endemic wild plants,” Melanie Hick says.
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IDEAL HOME
Zen garden ideas to create a calming and tranquil landscape
'A wide range of studies show that meditation can have positive effects for everyone' says Melanie Hick. 'Make sure you create at least a small place to sit and reflect, perhaps surrounded by bamboo, with a view of a water feature.'
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HOUZZ
How to lay out a short, wide garden
“I managed to fit a patio and over-sized pergola with swings [pictured] into a short, wide garden, because a pergola takes up no space and swings are merely an additional seating option, not a space-stealer,” Melanie says.
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THE TIMES
How to give your front door a spring makeover
“Updating your front door is a quick and easy way to increase kerb appeal and put a smile on your face when you come home,” agrees the garden designer Melanie Hick. “Easy wins include jet-washing dirty paths and brickwork, then replacing unsuitable plants. Any old door can have an instant update with exterior wood paint from Mylands.”
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COUNTRY LIVING
By Jayne Dowle published: 23 June 2024
One of the stars of the ‘Climate-Forward Garden’ is the Eucalyptus Mount Bogong, specifically chosen as a perfect example of a small eucalyptus to grow in UK gardens.
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PROLANDSCAPER
16 Highlights of RHS Hampton Court press day by Nina Mason 02 Jul 24
There’s a range of ideas on display for gardens that are both beautiful and sustainable, from Australian designer Melanie Hick’s The Climate-Forward Garden – which encourages people to think about climate decisions in the planning stage rather than retrospectively.