What is Garden Design?
Questions answered for those thinking about designing and landscaping their garden
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What is Garden Design?
Copyright © 2018 e-edition Marie Shallcross and Plews Garden Design plewsgardendesign.co.uk
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Photography Copyright © 2018 Plews Garden Design and Marie Shallcross
Plews Garden Design plewsgardendesign.co.uk TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 What is Garden Design?
2 Why You Shouldn’t Use a Garden Designer
3 Should you use a Garden Designer?
4 Initial Design Visit
5 Planting Design
4 6 Design process
What Next? About Plews “Outdoors and indoors are inseparable; they are complimentary and supplementary, two “ sides of the same door...” Garrett Eckbo What is Garden Design? What is Garden Design?
All too often the garden becomes an afterthought. The last priority in home improvement budgets rather than being considered as part of the whole ‘let’s improve and renovate our home’ process.
Garden design is important in helping you get the best out of your garden, whatever its size.
And getting your garden wrong can be costly. I have seen this more times than I care to mention. Even ‘just a patio’ can cost thousands of pounds and it would be a shame to spend your money yet not get good value and the garden you would like at the end.
House and Garden Renovation
If you’re having a total rethink of your whole home environment your garden designer should be included from the beginning. If we're part of the early conversations that you have with your architect, this will ensure that your house and garden flow seamlessly one to the other.
Which is what most people expect and want to happen.
We should be included in conversations with your house builders and can suggest garden landscapers. Asking the garden designer to create a level area behind the house after you’ve narrowed the side access, is like asking someone to shut the stable door after the horse has bolted. Garden designers are clever people but not usually miracle workers. Garden Renovation
It may be that your house is fine, but you’re thinking about refurbishing your garden. Once again, garden design is the first stage to consider.
A good garden designer needs to consider you and your garden from an expert’s viewpoint to enable you to get the best garden possible. It involves a lot of listening and asking of questions. And also includes other aspects that a designer needs to look at and consider, both practical and creative.
A garden design can be a total re-think of a whole garden, be that rear garden or front garden. Front gardens are important in different ways to a rear garden. For example, they’re generally in the public view, whilst most rear gardens are a private or family space.
What is Garden Design?
A full garden design will look at: -
• the existing garden in all aspects; • what your ideals are; • whether these are achievable on your budget; • how to manage the budget and project, for example, would a staged approach be more suitable; • it deals with hard landscaping, for example, patio, decking, fences; • soft landscaping turf, planting; • the use of garden space, ie how you use it now, how this might change • sundries, for example, statuary, lighting. There’s more to it than this of course, including technical stuff about levels, but the above gives you a good idea of what is involved.
Design is not just about large gardens. Courtyard garden, small gardens and roof terraces need a good designer, so the best use is made of restricted space.
Your garden may be the biggest “room” you own and deserves at least the same thoughtful design as is afforded to the kitchen, living room or bathroom. And consider budget. Depending on where you live and the size of the garden you should reasonably expect to spend 5-20% of the value of your home on designing and landscaping your garden.
Like a new kitchen or bathroom, a well designed and landscaped garden increases the overall value of your property as well as giving you great pleasure.
'Just tweak or two’
At Plews, we understand that you may not always want or need your whole garden designed and landscaped. So we also offer Planting Design and planting.
This may be a planting scheme for an existing border or creating a new space, such as a vegetable garden. See the Planting Design chapter for more detail. Why You Shouldn’t Use a Garden Designer Why You Shouldn’t Use a Garden Designer
Did you know?
Not everyone should use a garden designer.
Shock! Horror!
It’s true.
Let’s delve a little further into the reason for that statement.
For example: -
You may have a large estate and wish for it all to be developed and managed. Then you should be looking for a landscape architect, a landscape designer, to develop much of that land. And then a landscape or estate manager to keep it going. A garden designer would be appropriate for certain areas – formal gardens near the house, orchards.
Of course with all of those professionals floating around, you may also need someone to manage them; a landscape or garden consultant, with enough expertise to have authority.
Now most of you who are reading this will not have large estates of many acres. So why shouldn’t you use a garden designer? Let’s consider a few reasons… Reason 1
Are you prepared to work with the garden designer to create a garden that suits you? Yes, you did read that correctly. I can design 3 different gardens for you, all of them wonderful, of course – but without input from you, will they work for you in the long term? A successful garden design depends on collaboration and if you’re not prepared for this, then you shouldn’t use a garden designer. Or accept that the garden may well not turn out as you had hoped.
Reason 2
Good garden designers are experts in their field. Now whilst collaboration is essential, if they’re advising you, it pays to listen to their advice. If you decide not to follow that advice, that’s fine; it’s your garden, after all. But make sure you’ve listened.
Reason 3
Do you care about your garden? Are you bothered if it looks nice / is wildlife friendly / is a welcoming space? Some people are not interested in their garden. If that’s you, I would query why you would use a garden designer for a full garden design. You could just have a wildflower meadow and a patio. Or preferably, give your garden space to someone who will use it and enjoy it. (She says, being controversial). Reason 4
You think garden designers just plant a few trees and flowers. So you talk to a couple after you’ve let the non-gardening builders lay a patio, build some narrow raised beds and put up a shed. Without any thought to how these elements of the garden link to each other and the house or whether they’re in the right place for your needs…
Reason 5
Oh and definitely don’t use a garden designer if you don’t appreciate that they cannot create a £40,000 garden on a £10,000 budget. Magician is not part of their job description.
Reason 6
Whilst we’re talking about money, you shouldn’t use a garden designer if you’re not prepared to pay them. The number of times we designers hear “Could you just pop round and we can chat about my garden, and you can give me some ideas, and do a quick sketch…nothing fancy” Uh, no. I’m more than happy to share thoughts and tips – I think over 5 years of blogs sort of suggests that. But would you go to work for a month without being paid? Are there any more reasons why you shouldn’t use a garden designer?
Well, yes. For example, is a garden designer the right professional for the job? This partly relates to my first point about an estate, but not totally. For example, for inside spaces and houses, use an architect; for fencing use a landscape gardener.
So if these are reasons why you shouldn’t use a garden designer, what would be some reasons for using one?
If we keep to the money issue – a good garden designer can save you money. Consider the scope of the project - for your garden re-design, or a major planting design, use a garden designer.
For some more excellent reasons on getting in the right professional, read on to “Should You use a Garden Designer?”
But if it’s a problem with your garden, use a garden consultant. Plews Marie can help with that as Member of the Professional Garden Consultants Association. And she’ll refer you to another member of the PGCA if she feels their expertise is more suited to your needs. Should you use a Garden Designer? Should you use a Garden Designer?
Perhaps a good starting point for the discussion as to whether you should use a garden designer is to look at: -
•What is a garden designer? •What does a garden designer do?
And these comparisons from related professions may be helpful –
•Gardeners look after and maintain gardens. They are concerned with plants, pests, propagation. •Landscape Designers and Landscape Architects create well thought out landscapes and larger spaces, rather than gardens. •Landscapers and Landscape Gardeners are the hard landscaping building experts. This will include patios, drives, decking and fences, of course. Also grass lawns, artificial lawns, pergolas, ponds and so on. They may specialise in one area. •Architects are experts in the best use and design of interior spaces, and in building houses, office blocks, etc. There are subdivisions within the profession. •So although one or more of these people may be involved in the exciting project which is your new garden, they haven't quite got the skills you need. So you probably should use a garden designer. But what makes them right for the job?
So, should you use a garden designer for your garden makeover?
•You owe it to yourself to get the best value from your investment. Using a garden designer can make this happen. You can have the pleasure of a practical, beautiful garden that has also increased the value of your house and property. Initial Design Visit Initial Design Visit
The Initial Design Visit is an opportunity for you to enjoy the benefit of a professional’s eye on the garden design potential of your plot.
This garden design meeting between you and the designer does not give you an all singing, all dancing garden design straight away.
The creation of a full garden design takes time, creative energy, practical application, communication.
But you can discover whether your hopes for your garden are achievable without committing yourself to a huge initial outlay. The Initial Garden Design Visit enables you to discuss your requirements - needs, wants and budget – and other aspects relevant to your garden with an expert. It can help to make you more aware of what you would like for your garden and how this might be achieved. Most Garden Designers will charge a fee – you are after all paying for their expertise and time.
Many, like Plews, only charge a nominal fee for the Initial Design Visit. This fee includes the visit to your garden and time with you, which is on-site work. Plus work off-site both before and after the Initial Design Visit.
Our current prices can be found on Plews website on the Initial Design Visit page. At Plews, the following are included in the fee -
Before Initial Design Visit •Questionnaire filled in by client and returned to us in advance of the meeting •Communication by email and phone
At Initial Design Visit •Approximate duration of time in your garden would be 45 - 60 minutes for planting design; 1 – 1.5 hours for garden design. •Topics for discussion •Your brief and desires for garden •Your budget •Suggestions and options from our designer •A look at Plews portfolio for examples and ideas •Ballpark figures for some elements of your design options •Planting designs only - a brief border analysis is carried out
Follow-up after Initial Design Visit •Tasks for you to do - for example, visiting patio showrooms •Tasks for us to do - for example – send you photos as reminders of plants and fencing suggestions •Design brief and fee, contract and other documents sent to you for consideration and agreement Planting Design Planting Design
A Planting Design is where we look at your current (or non-existent) planting and borders, then design a scheme to suit your needs and budget
As part of the Planting design, we will look at: •The health of any existing planting which you would like to retain •The soil condition and suitability for the type of plants you would like •Your needs and budget •This service, like the full garden design service, starts with a brief questionnaire and an initial design visit.
A Planting Design for your garden can be:
•Design Only - A design by us, where we produce a design concept, planting lists and planting plan; suggest sources for purchase (online and local to you); border preparation instructions and plant maintenance notes for keeping your plants healthy in the long term. This, along with email and phone support, enables those who would like to get their hands dirty to do so.
•Design at a distance - Similar to 1, however with enhanced input at your end and where we instruct you how to carry out soil tests, etc.
•Design and Planting - We create a planting design scheme, purchase the flowers and shrubs for you and plant them for you. As well as a planting plan and plant maintenance notes, we also provide a 'plant health check' at approximately three months after planting.
•Design with Planting / Gardening Lesson - For those who would like to get to learn more about the plants in their garden. this cross-over service may be part of a longer Gardening Lessons course, or a one-off. A Planting Design is suitable for
• Gardens where there will be no major change to the structure of the garden • Replanting an area, eg garden borders • Creating a vegetable patch • Designing a herb garden • Garden orchards • Front gardens • Courtyards gardens • Patio planting • Roof Terraces and Balconies • Appropriate for both large and small spaces • A way to optimise the positioning of plants in your garden
Small amounts of landscaping, such as raised beds or re-shaping borderscan be included in this service
A Planting Design is not suitable for
• Gardens needing major landscape works – a full garden design is needed Design Process Design Process
How we organise this at Plews – but there are similarities whoever you use
First Contact •Contact by you the Client through email or phone; •Response from us, including the Initial questionnaire for you to fill in and return before the Initial Design Visit; •Further contact between us by phone conversation and / or email, arranging the meeting and answering any relevant questions.
Initial Design Visit •This is an on-site meeting between the Designer and yourself. •A fee is made to cover this meeting and the associated time and tasks. This charge is later discounted against your design fee. •Please see the Initial Design Visit page on the website for further details.
Following the Initial Design Visit, your Design package is sent to you or made available through a shared on-line folder.
Your Garden Design package will include - •Customer charter; •Design brief sent for your agreement, can be amended if necessary before agreement; •Design fee, including payment schedule; •Explanation of Design terms; •Design Terms & Conditions; •Simple contract to be agreed / signed; •Once agreed and accepted, the above documents together form the contract Garden Design Process - First Stages:
This is an outline of what may happen; each garden and design is individual. Site survey is carried out. This can take 1-3 hours depending on your garden and the complexity of the design;
• The first instalment of the design fee is payable at the site survey; • Initial consultations or meetings with other experts where required; • The Garden Design Concept is created and sent to you; this will comprise written ideas, sketches, photos • Design meeting to discuss the concept.
A reasonable amount of contact time is allowed for within the design fee; this means the client is not paying by the individual phone call/ email. This includes discussion and communication by phone /text during office hours. You may of course email when it suits you and we will pick it up during office hours.
Garden Design Process - Second Stages:
• Completing the Garden Design; including • written concept • garden design sketches • planting lists • estimates, working budget • schedules, delivery lead times • discussions with landscapers, electricians, etc • Design meeting to discuss the finished design, finalise start date on -site Garden Design Process - Final Stages: Depending on your design brief, the designer’s work is now largely complete, except for dealing with design issues which are raised during the landscaping and planting of the garden design.
Plews Value Added Extras:
• The First Year • As part of the Plews’ service, we are available via email to answer general queries relating to the design and planting for approximately one year following completion of the project. • Urgent queries can be sent by text, or with photos via WhatsApp. • This service is usually until the Anniversary visit.
The 3 Month Health Check Approximately three months after planting to ensure the plants have ‘taken’.
The Anniversary Visit A review visit once your garden is finished and settled
And Beyond Furthermore, we are happy to answer brief queries via email for up to five years after completion.
The landscaping of the garden design is separate from the design itself, and the designer is not directly involved in the landscaping of the design. Our sister company, Plews Garden Landscaping, may be able to help, or we can suggest other reputable landscape companies.
However, Plews Garden Design offers • a management service to run alongside the landscaping of the design; • sourcing plants and planting up of the planting design; What Next? What Next?
Now you have an idea of what to expect from a garden designer, what should you do next?
If you haven’t already, start to think about what you would like in your garden. I suggest two parallel streams –
Firstly, the ideal, money-no-issue dream garden. It really does help both you and your designer get a feel for what would make you love your new garden. Look for ideas in magazines, on Pinterest, Instagram, Houzz - see links below.
Plews Potting Shed is another resource, as is our portfolio and those of other designers.
Secondly, the ‘how much budget do we have?’ question. This covers both initial and on-going project and maintenance costs. For example, do you need to think about a loan? A staged project?
Try not to get bogged down with the latter. Many designers, Plews included, are happy to come for an initial design visit to talk through ideas and budget, knowing that you may not yet be ready to proceed. Expect to pay a fee for this service, you are asking to use the person’s expertise. And explain the situation first; that way, the designer is prepared and able to best advise you. About Plews
Plews Garden Design is an award-winning family business offering: - •Garden Design, •Gardening Lessons and Gardening Courses, •Garden Consultancy to domestic and commercial clients, •Planting Designs – for borders, kitchen gardens, small orchards, courtyard gardens •in London, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Essex, Oxford, Herts, Dorset, Worcester, Lancashire and across the UK.
Plews Garden Design is owned and run by Marie Shallcross and began in 2001. Marie has various Gardening and Garden Design qualifications and is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulturalists and the Professional Garden Consultants Association.
Value Added Extras: -
Plews Potting Shed - a weekly (Saturday) award-winning blog on the website, on a range of garden related topics.
A monthly Plews News with topical hints and ideas mailed to your inbox – ask to be added.
Facebook Twitter Instagram Houzz YouTube “A garden is not made in a year; indeed it is never made in the sense of finality. It grows, and with the labour of love should go on “ growing.” Frederick Eden