“The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies”
Philosophy
I am passionate about nurturing spaces that are both aesthetically refined and ecologically considered.
I respect that gardens should be rooted within their locality and thus recognise the need to respond sympathetically to a sense of place.
I believe in creating gardens and nurturing landscapes that are nourished by beauty, richness, and resilience.
I apply principles of artistry, craftsmanship, and ecological rigour to my practice as a garden maker.
I trust in the inherent nature of wildness and its capacity for restoring the soul.
Process
Every process begins with an observation of landscape and environment to ground gardens within their unique settings.
Interventions are minimalised to protect the ecological health and integrity of a space - and - engender positive evolution.
Materials are recycled and/or sourced responsibly to lower the carbon footprint attached to a project and place value on local provenance.
Craftsmen and gardeners respond sensitively to the creative visions for a space and they themselves are incorporated into this evolutionary process.
Plantings are multi-layered and restorative with a focus on regenerating ecological habitats and cultivating healthy soils.
Offer
Following an initial visit, clients will have a bespoke proposal drawn up for them based on their specific needs. This may include a complete design package (stages outlined below), an adapted proposal based on one specific theme (eg planting design and installation), or a proposal with site specific needs (eg meadow consultancy).
There is flexibility within this process and clients are encouraged to engage dynamically with their own needs and those of the landscape in which they inhabit.
Some of the areas which may be explored during a project include:
Meadow planting and restoration.
Tree planting and renaturing, including woodland management (eg coppicing) & habitat creation.
Edible tree planting (forest gardening) and regenerative food growing, including soil amelioration and composting.
Planting design: Naturalistic, matrix-style; drought-tolerant (gravel gardening); mixed herbaceous planting; modern cottage garden.
Hard landscape consultancy and planning; including pathways, seating areas (terraces, decking), pergolas, cabins, sheds & greenhouses.
Water management consultancy; including ponds and rivers, natural swimming pools and wetland conservation.
Creative gardening aftercare and maintenance, including advice on planting evolution and successional sowing.
(1) Consultation
Initially the process begins with a site visit and informal meeting. This stage is about getting to know your landscape and your garden. Together we will explore the atmosphere of the space and discuss your feelings with regard to how you’d like it to evolve. Following a short reflection period, you will receive a proposal summarising our discussions, outlining the steps forward as tailored to your needs, and presenting a fee structure for the entire process.
(2) Survey & Analysis
A topographical survey will take place to record all relevant facts about the garden before starting the next phase. We will map the position of existing structures, trees, and utilities as well as analysing any significant changes in level. Photos will be taken and existing materials analysed in order to help inform the process. If deemed necessary, according to the scale and/or complexity of the site, an external surveyor may be commissioned to undertake a more detailed site analysis.
(3) Conceptualisation
The conceptualisation stage is a crucial moment for reflection and moodboarding. We will explore options for the layout of the space (including presenting an A3 outline design drawn to scale) and define how each area of the site will be used in terms of planting, seating, sculpture and movement. Initial material palettes will be developed in harmony with the existing vernacular and mood palettes will begin to define the general character of the planting.
(4) Detailed Design
Planting plans and schedules will be developed at this stage - including calculation of planting area sizes and plant quantity requirements. For any significant hard-landscaping, more detailed, technical drawings will be drawn up (highlighting cross-sections and level changes). Decisions will be made on materials and early cost estimates provided. The final package will enable a landscape contractor to accurately cost the build and provide them with the detail to develop the space effectively.
(5) Project Management
The build of the space will then be tendered out to trusted landscape contractors to quote from and once a contractor is appointed the work will get underway. We will be on-hand to supervise the build with scheduled site visits, which allow us to resolve any problems as we proceed. At this stage, we will also manage plant procurement and may undertake trips with you to specialist nurseries to look for specimen trees and shrubs. Larger species’ will be planted by a contractor and once this is complete we will begin to set out the planting design and undertake any final planting medium preparation.
(6) Planting & Aftercare
We always offer to plant out the space ourselves in order to ensure that planting schemes are installed with meticulous care and attention-to-detail. Once completed, we also take responsibility for immediate aftercare, including watering and mulching, and provide advice on early establishment of planting. We offer guidance as to the future maintenance of spaces by professional gardeners (and other land workers) - and - make recommendations on how best to support the development of the site.
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished” - Lao Tzu