1. consultation and investigation meeting

 That’s why arguably one of the most important things I will do is get to know you. 

I want to understand what your life looks like, how many friends you want to invite over for cocktails, whether you have kids who will need to run around on the lawn, what places you are drawn to. 

All of these things (apart from making for a lovely chat) enable me to create something which will be exclusively perfect for you and your lifestyle. 

• Discussing client wishlist for the garden – what uses, zones and feelings you want to achieve 
• Beginning to understand client personality and lifestyle as well as who will be using the garden and what your different needs will be 
• Understanding client aesthetic. A particular style, materials, inspirations etc 
• Discussing any of the clients preconceived ideas for the garden 

Whilst it’s much more fun to talk about the beautiful side of gardens, there are a plethora of things which must be considered to make it happen.. but don’t worry, I’ll worry about that. 

Once we have talked through your hopes and dreams of your perfect outdoor space, this visit is the perfect opportunity to assess the site and record anything which will ultimately help shape the design. Things like soil health might not be glamorous but they are integral to the success of a garden project. 

 Investigating and recording the following:

• Levels and gradients 
• Drainage 
• Soil health and type 
• Existing structures and/planting 
• Exposure
• Aspect
• Privacy
• Existing utilities e.g. water, electrical points, lighting etc. 
• Any planning restraints on the land e.g. agricultural land 
• The architecture of the building/s and how this will affect the aesthetic of the garden design
• The viewpoints from the property 

Ultimately I am taking all of the information you’ve given me; your wishlist, the practical requirements, budget, aspect, levels (I could go on) and piecing them together in a perfect jigsaw puzzle, along with some creative thinking to produce a space which is practical, as well as beautiful. 

• Creating a to scale concept design which complies with all of the above considerations 
• Garden layout and zones e.g. hard landscaped areas, lawn areas, planting areas, water feature etc 
• Photoreal 3D renders of design including accurate light modelling 

Planting mood boards allow me to show you how the plants I am considering can look together. I am always looking to provide varying texture and form as well as a beautiful colour story. This is the exciting visual snapshot which accompanies the design to bring it to life. 

This point is an opportunity for you to make specific variety requests, ask questions about plants in the mood boards and let me know if there are any you aren't so keen on, so that I can find a suitable substitute and sign off on the perfect planting palette.

 Plants can be fickle and unpredictable but they aren’t cheap, which is why is it so important to have a specific plan underpinned with horticultural knowledge which gives you the confidence that you are buying the right plant for the right place. 

• Annotated planting plan with exact locations of planting 
• List of plants with botanical and common names of cultivars as well as eventual height and spread 
• Calendar of seasonal interest 
• Quantities of plants required

Who doesn’t want to be sat out in their beautifully landscaped garden into the night surrounded by ambient lighting? Even in the winter months when most people don’t spend as much time outside and the daylight is fleeting, well planned lighting can make your garden a feast for the eyes year-round, even from the inside looking out. 

•  Plan of locations of lighting
• Instructions of the type of lighting to be used as well as finish of hardware if appropriate 
• Description of how the lighting is to function e.g. to uplight a feature tree