Garden and landscape design

The following process outlines our complete garden design services available in Cornwall and Devon.

Initial consultation

This is the initial meeting where I come to your house and we walk around your garden to discuss your requirements, garden design ideas and aspirations.  This initial meeting allows me to get a clear picture of your garden and we can discuss ideas, concepts and what you hope to achieve from a newly created garden.  This research is integral in allowing me to create a garden design brief for you that captures the essence but also the practicalities of your proposed garden.

For some people this is the hardest part as it can often be difficult to express ideas or visualise the end picture.  It is a good idea to look through magazines or books prior to this meeting, as it will help to form your thoughts and ideas. 

I will talk you through the garden design process so that you have a clear understanding of the service I offer.  At this stage we can also talk about budgets and realistic timescales based on the proposed garden design brief.

I will write to you within 10 days after this meeting to confirm the garden design brief.  I will also include my garden design fees and terms of business.  The letter will give you the opportunity to respond, which will require your confirmation that you wish to go ahead with the design project.

Remember that designing gardens does not happen overnight and depending on the size of the garden or budget, it may require a timescale that involves designing and constructing parts of the garden over a period of time.  This can be discussed and planned at the initial consultation.

Garden survey

A detailed survey of the garden is required to ensure that the garden design is accurate and can be used as a working plan for a landscaper to take measurements and use in construction.  This involves taking accurate measurements and also gives me the opportunity to evaluate the whole site.  I will take an inventory of the garden including the surroundings, the look, age and feel of the house, the location of services such as drains and sewage, gas and electric meters, the climate and orientation of the garden and an appraisal of the condition of the trees, shrubs and hedges along with boundaries, paving, steps and other hard landscaping features.  It is at this stage that I will take photographs and also sketch the garden to record key features.

The survey can take several hours depending on the size and complexity of the garden.  In some cases I may need to recommend the services of specialists such as land surveyors, structural engineers or architects. 

Outline plan

With the survey completed and a garden design brief finalised and confirmed by you I will start work on the outline plan.  This process can take up to a month to complete, depending on the size of the garden and design brief.  During this time I will produce an initial outline plan, drawn to scale, which will show the new garden layout and key landscape design ideas. It will also include a report that will ‘walk you through the garden’ and in some cases a concept board, additional sketches and more detailed drawings of hard landscaping structures such as steps, water features, pergolas and other timber structures.  The aim of this process is to provide you with an illustrative and accurate drawing of how your landscaped garden will look.

Now comes the fun bit!  I will present the outline plan to you and you can look at the garden design in detail and ask any questions you may have.  I will leave the design with you for a short period of time, usually about a week.  This gives you time to live with the plan and really start to visualise what it will be like living with the design.

Constructing the garden

We have a final garden design and you are itching to see it made!  There are several approaches to constructing the garden and I can work in whichever way suits you.

Finding suitable and reputable garden landscapers in Devon and Cornwall can be a time consuming process.  I can take this process off your hands by either recommending a suitable landscaper or working with you to tender the project to 2 – 3 contractors and finding a landscaper you feel most comfortable with and who will be best suited to construct your garden.

You may have already confirmed a landscaper and in this case I will require an initial meeting with you and the landscaper on site to brief them fully on the proposed design.

In all cases I will be available when required to make site visits throughout the development of the garden and can be called upon to act as liaison between yourself and the contractor.

Planting plan

A planting plan is drawn up when the construction of the garden is underway.  This is a plan drawn to scale for all the areas in the garden that require planting.  It will detail the exact location size and quantity of the plants and is useful in defining the colour and theme of the garden such as Mediterranean, cottage style, formal plants etc.  The planting plan is accompanied by a report, which lists all plants by type, variety and pot size.  This is a document that the nursery will require when ordering and pricing the plants. 

At this stage you have the choice of sourcing your own plants or leaving the hard work up to me!  I source my plants from a local trade supplier and as such can pass on a saving to you.  If sourcing the plants then I prefer to plant myself, however this can be something you wish to do yourself.

Maintenance schedule

This is something that often gets overlooked but is crucial to ensuring your garden remains in tip top condition all year round.  I can provide a detailed but easy to follow schedule to maintain your plants and other features such as lawn and structures.  This is ideal for the novice gardener but is also useful for the more experienced gardener or can be used by your regular gardener or garden maintenance company.