FAQs
Can you visit our garden to help us to clarify our ideas?
Yes. We offer a Consultancy service where we visit your garden to discuss your site, your budget, and provide you with ideas and inspiration. We charge for Consultancy at an hourly rate.
How long does it take to design a garden?
This is very difficult to answer as it depends on the scale and complexity of your requirements.
Generally speaking, once we begin designing your garden, the initial concept design should be completed in 3 to 4 weeks. Subsequent stages may then take another 8+ weeks to complete (once you confirm that you are happy to proceed).
Once the design work is signed off, we can then work with you to get a quotation for the landscaping works.
Where do you design gardens and landscapes?
We work throughout the UK and Europe (and have designed a garden in California) - although much of our design work is centred around Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and the North of England. Please do not hesitate to call us for an initial chat so we can understand your requirements, and how this will work with where your garden is located.
Will you produce 3D models of our garden?
We always produce a three dimensional visualisation of your garden design to allow you to get a clearer understanding of the intended design whilst we are developing it. However, where complex photorealistic models are desired, this is charged for as an additional service.
If we have building works planned, when is the best time to speak to you about transforming our garden?
As early as possible in the process works is best. This ensures that your garden can be built once the building work is completed. We can also work with your architect to ensure the transition between indoors and outdoors is planned from the beginning – from complimentary materials being specified to ensuring that the new damp proof course allows for a seamless transition from house to garden, for example.
Are you able to apply for planning if this is required?
Yes we can. We will deal with required planning applications for gardens we have designed – from applications for works within the curtilage of Listed buildings to works within Conservation Areas.
What is a biodiverse garden?
As our 'Guide To Biodiverse Gardens' explains, a biodiverse garden is designed to maximise biodiversity within the space – often using plants to create a matrix of habitats and their eco-tones (the boundaries between habitats that pulse with life). It is a garden that balances the needs of the people who use it with the wildlife whose home it is – through planting, sustainable maintenance, the avoidance of poisons (chemicals ending in “-icide”), and by encouraging people into the space.
How many people will work on our garden design?
We are a team so all members of the studio may be involved in your design; however Matthew is also personally involved at every stage of the design process.
Can I just select which stages of the garden design I want?
To create a garden there are certain stages that must be followed to produce a workable design of sufficient creativity and quality. However it is possible to pause after a Masterplan is produced, without then producing associated planting plans and the drawings for landscapers to set out your space, if you do not intend to build your garden in the near future.
How do I find a trustworthy landscape contractor?
We will help you to find a suitable landscape contractor after the design has been completed. Accredited and approved contractors can also be found by searching the websites of BALI (the British Association of Landscape Industries) and the APL (the Association of Professional Landscapers). We will be here to guide you through the creation of your new garden from concept to completion.
When a garden is planted, how big will the plants be to begin with?
That depends on the sizes purchased and we can plant more mature stock for an instant impact. Generally however we would advise that shrubs and perennials are specified at smaller sizes as they will mature within a few years. The bigger the plants though the more water they will require in their first few seasons.
When will the planting in my garden start to feel mature?
It takes time for plants to grow to their mature size and for them to settle into the garden after being planted. Most of the time your garden will start to feel mature after 2 – 5 years although sometimes we create gardens that could take much longer to mature (if the client is on a tight budget, for example).