DESIGN
PROCESS
THE GARDEN DESIGN PROCESS
All of our designs are bespoke. We work with you to create an outdoor space that fits your lives, lifestyle and of those with whom you love to share your space.
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From concept to completion, there are a number of stages we follow to bring your design to life. Each stage of this process is outlined below.
As each project is different, however, not all stages may apply to you. For example, you may need only an initial consultation or planting design.
Whatever your requirements, we will do everything necessary to achieve the desired end result for you. ​
​Initial Consultation
​The first step is to visit your garden and discuss your requirements and wish list. You may just want a consultation to give you some ideas and for this there is a set fee.
If you would like us to design your garden, in part or as a whole, we formalise the initial consultation in a Design Brief, which records your specific instructions and wish list, which form the basis of the design.
Once you have approved this, we collate a design fee proposal, to ensure we have fully captured and understood your requirements.
Survey & Site Analysis
A topographical survey enables us to decide on the best position for the features you would like in your garden.
A survey helps us to understand the dimensions of the space such as length/width, levels, position of doors, windows, gates, manhole covers, utilities etc. We incorporate these into the scale drawing that every project requires.
Depending on the complexity and size of the project, we may either undertake the survey ourselves or instruct a qualified surveyor.
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The Site Analysis records specific features of the site and its surroundings, for example: climate considerations; architectural period and interior style of the house; advantages and disadvantages; construction materials used; nearby traffic and possible noise levels, soil type and condition, and soil pH value (the acidity or alkalinity of the soil) - important to determine suitable plant type for your garden; and any excessively dry or damp areas. We will also take photos of the site.
The Site Analysis we undertake is one of the key stages in the design making process, as we use it to assess site access, what needs to be removed, retained or repaired.
If your project is in a sensitive location, then it may require a full Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) as part of the planning process. We can arrange this also.
​Concept Design
This is an abstract, scaled outline (aerial view) of our proposal for the garden layout. It is usually in 2D. It is our design interpretation of your brief; your wish list. It ensures our ideas are in line with your expectations.
The Concept Design sets out the features of your new garden design. For example, the size, shape and layout of a new seating area or terrace, any additional and key vertical features, such as water feature, path(s), and primary structural planting only. It does not identify specific hard landscaping materials or plants, but we will discuss materials that we could use.
Please note: the Concept Design is only a concept plan so cannot be relied upon for accuracy or efficacy.
​Detail Design – Master Plan
Once you approve the Concept Plan, we set out the specifics of the design in the Master Plan, which also develops further the imagery proposed in the concept.
For example, the location of all features and hard landscaping (vertical and horizontal), including type of paving, overall dimensions, and pattern; materials for replacement boundaries; location of accessories and other features, such as furniture, fire pit, garden lighting and irrigation; and where specimen trees and/or key shrubs will be planted in the designated borders.
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The Master Plan gives a clear idea of how the garden will look and enables the Landscape Contractor to provide a quote for the proposed work.
We may use mood board(s), 3D imagery, or fly-through videos at this stage to help you to visualise the design.
Construction Drawings
​These specify how certain elements of the design will be constructed. These will include setting out plans, lighting plans (showing the location of proposed lights), cross sections, and any bespoke items.
Technical Drawings are also drawn to scale.
​Planting Design and Planting
The planting plan is a working drawing that sets out plant locations, along with a comprehensive plant schedule that details botanical names, proposed plant sizes and quantities. It is helpful for obtaining quotes and ordering plants from nurseries.
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Plant selection considers the design style, colour, texture, year-round interest, prevailing conditions of the site, and any visual tricks necessary to achieve the design’s aims, such as privacy issues. We may create a photomontage of some of the plants we will use to help you visualise the planting scheme at this stage.
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Not all projects require a Planting Plan. Depending on your requirements, we may not need a fixed planting plan and may instead provide a planting scheme with visuals that we create on the ground. This more fluid approach means we can adapt placement when we set the plants out on the ground as we work.
In both cases, Gillian personally places all plants.
​Tendering
We work with existing and trusted or recommended contractors, or contractors with whom you have an established relationship, to bring your design to life.
Should you wish to put the project out to tender for comparable quotes yourself, we can prepare the tender document. This will include the design and other relevant drawings to enable contractors to quote for the work on a similar basis.
​Project Monitoring
We monitor the build at various stages to ensure the garden is built to plan and that the project is running on schedule. The frequency of our visits depends on the design’s complexity and how much of our involvement you want at this stage.
Sourcing
We can source plants including trees, and source design or commission bespoke water features, sculptures, outdoor kitchens, swimming pools, and furniture etc.
Aftercare/Maintenance
Depending on your requirements, we can provide you with a maintenance schedule.
We can also offer horticultural/garden coaching.
We can work with you, or your gardener, or can put you in touch with gardeners who can assist you with aftercare to ensure the longevity and success of the scheme once the design has been fully implemented.
" The planting is a delight "
"Evergreens for all-year-round structure. Other shrubs for autumn colour, winter scent and spring flowering. Pollinator friendly perennials. Lovely grasses. Gillian incorporated our own preferences for plants; and added many more with which we were unfamiliar. Gillian sourced the plants. Good quality; reasonable prices. We did not have a detailed planting plan on paper. Rather, Gillian had an image in her mind, then set out on site, seeing what worked best."
G and J, Leicestershire​
" The overall effect is superb."
