Thoughtful Garden Design in Bristol
Shaped Around You
A garden is an extension of your home, and a well-designed space should feel just as personal and considered as the rooms inside it.
My garden design service is for people who want to make the most of their outdoor space, bringing their ideas, aspirations and way of living together in a garden that feels truly their own.
I take time to understand what you want from your garden, even if you don't yet have all the answers.
Drawing on my background in fine art, horticulture and outdoor construction, I bring together creative thinking, practical knowledge and a careful understanding of materials, planting and space to develop a design with character and purpose.
From the overall layout to the smallest details, every element is considered. The choice of materials, the movement through the garden, the relationship between planting and structure, and how the space will change throughout the seasons all contribute to a garden that feels complete, works beautifully and belongs to its setting.
From first concept design to a fully considered plan
Every project begins with a conversation. I want to understand how you live, what you love, what isn't working in your current garden and what you hope it could become.
We look at the character and potential of the space, as well as practical considerations such as levels, light, soil, aspect and existing features. This helps me make informed decisions about layout and planting, choosing the right plants for the conditions so they have the best chance to thrive and bring interest throughout the year.
My background in art and design also informs how I approach materials, texture, colour and form. I enjoy exploring combinations that bring individuality to a garden, from natural stone and timber to more unexpected details and creative features.
The aim is not to impose a particular style, but to create something that reflects you, works for your life and feels at home in its surroundings.
My Garden Design Packages
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The Garden Design Plan
For clients who want a considered design to take forward themselves.
This option gives you a clear design direction and a scaled plan to share with a landscaper of your choice.
The process includes:
Initial conversation: We'll start with an email and questionnaire, followed by a phone call to understand your garden, ideas and the scope of the project.
Garden consultation: I'll visit your garden to discuss your vision, explore its potential and assess the space. A separate survey may be needed for larger or more complex gardens, particularly those with significant changes in level.
Design presentation: I'll develop a hand-drawn, scaled 2D outline plan, alongside a mood board of suggested materials and planting suited to your garden and budget. We'll meet again to talk through the design and make any agreed refinements.
You'll then have a considered plan to take to a landscaper and use as the starting point for bringing your garden to life.
Outline design plans typically range from £900–£2,000, depending on the size and scope of the project. Significant design changes or additional revisions are charged separately. I can offer Site Survey’s as a separate fee if that’s all you’re looking for initially.
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The Garden Design & Project Support
For clients who would like more detailed plans and support finding the right people to carry out the work.
If you'd like help taking the design further, I can develop the outline plan into a detailed package suitable for inviting contractors to quote for the work.
This can include:
Scope of works: A detailed description of the work required, helping contractors understand and price the project accurately.
Planting plans and nursery lists: Specifying the plants and quantities needed to bring the planting design together.
Setting-out drawings: Providing the dimensions and positioning needed to guide the construction.
Construction notes: Detailing particular features, materials and finishes.
I can also help identify three suitable contractors to provide quotes, giving you a clearer basis for choosing who will carry out the work.
Once you've appointed a contractor, I can provide project monitoring as required, helping to ensure the design is being followed and the finished garden reflects what we've worked towards. This is arranged and charged separately according to the support needed.
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I’m based in Bristol and work on gardens across the city and surrounding area. I’m also happy to travel further afield for the right project, so do get in touch wherever you are.
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Every garden is different, so I explain my fees once I understand the scale of your project, usually after our first phone call I can give you a better idea of the likely cost. The site visit is charged separately from £350, and I’ll always be clear about costs before any work begins.
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The visit is a proper working session, not a sales call. We walk the garden together and talk through your vision in depth, and I survey the site so the design is based on accurate measurements from the start. If the project goes ahead I can deduct the fee from the design cost.
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A hand-drawn, scaled 2D outline plan, alongside a mood board of materials and planting suited to your garden and budget. I present this to you in person so we can talk it through together.
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Yes. Small adjustments are part of the process. If the design changes significantly, that additional work is charged.
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I design rather than build, but my background is in horticultural construction, so every design is grounded in how things are actually made. You can either take my outline plan to a landscaper of your choice, or I can prepare a full tender package (scope of works, planting plans, nursery lists, setting-out drawings and construction notes) and help you find three suitable contractors to quote.
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Yes. Once you’ve chosen a contractor, I can monitor the project to make sure the design is delivered fully and finished to your liking. This is billed by the hour, as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Typical timescale from site visit to outline plan, e.g. 3–6 weeks depending on size and time of year.
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Autumn and winter are ideal for design, so that you’re ready to build in spring. That said, any time is a good time to start planning.
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Not at all. A good design makes the most of whatever space and budget you have, and I’ll suggest materials and planting that suit yours.
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Yes. Part of the site visit is looking at what’s already working, whether that’s a mature tree, a wall or a favourite shrub, and designing around it.
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Absolutely. Gardens flourish with native and well-considered planting, and healthy, thriving plants naturally bring wildlife with them. Where it suits the space, I’ll also suggest features such as ponds and habitats for insects, birds and small mammals, so your garden supports nature as well as the people who use it.
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Send me an email and I’ll send you a short questionnaire to learn about you and your garden. We’ll follow up with a phone call to talk it through.
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Absolutely. Those are often the most rewarding gardens to design. For very large or steeply sloping sites, the survey may need to be carried out on a separate visit.
Let's Start With a Conversation
If you're thinking about a new garden, the first step is simply to get in touch. Tell me a little about your space, what you'd like to achieve and any ideas you have so far. We'll talk through your aspirations, the garden's potential and the most suitable way to work together.
