Our Design Process

Initial Consultation

Our first meeting (up to 1 hour) is an opportunity to walk through your garden, getting to know your planting style, site conditions and review aspirations for creating new beds/borders, big or small, and/or overhauling an existing planting scheme.  It also provides a chance to discuss the design process and expectations.  (A client questionnaire will be provided to you prior to this meeting, to help guide our discussion on site).  Afterwards, a project brief and quotation will be sent, summarising your project and outlining costs for all 5 phases of work (including site survey and analysis, mood board(s), a 2D scaled planting plan and corresponding plant list, plant sourcing and setting out, aftercare document and follow-up post-planting meeting)*.  You will also be provided with a high-level project timeline for the project.

 

*Please note that hard-landscaping (e.g. paving, structures etc.) is not included in our design work – if you require these services, Krista can signpost you to landscaping professionals.

Stage 1 – Site Survey & Analysis

The first stage involves a detailed site survey and analysis for the new ‘soft-scape’ plant design.  This includes measuring out new or existing borders, taking photos and notes on aspect, micro-climates, garden boundaries and soil samples.

Stage 2 – Mood Boards

Creating a mood board is when the planting design begins to come to life, taking into consideration colours, textures, seasonality, height, wildlife-friendliness, just to name a few.  A mood board can be created for an individual bed, or across an entire set of borders.  Mood boards help to develop your design, based on our initial meeting, questionnaire and site survey.  This stage is a collaborative process, allowing you to consider and discuss suggested plants that are appropriate for your own garden.

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Stage 3 – 2D Planting Plan Following approval of Stage 2, a 2D scaled and coloured plan will be produced for your beds/borders.  It will detail all of the plants used, their location and maximum size.  Ultimately, this plan can be used by yourselves or your gardener to plant the design.  A separate planting list will also be provided that specifies the quantities of each plant used. .

Stage 4 – Plant Sourcing Stage 4 involves sourcing your plants through local and specialist nurseries who use environmentally-friendly and sustainable principles where possible.  It is important to collaborate with you to decide upon the best time for you to receive the plants and get them in the ground.  (Some plants, such as specimen trees, shrubs or bare root roses have specific seasons for planting).

We will also set out the plants for your design immediately prior to planting out (by yourself or your gardener), in order to address any final adjustments.

Stage 5 – Plant Maintenance/Aftercare Once your beautiful new design has been planted, it is important to understand how to maintain and care for it in the longer-term.  At project completion, you will be provided with an easy to use maintenance plan for yourself or your gardener to help look after your plants in years to come. .