Recent Projects

Peninsula border re-design Surrey

Although the centrepiece to a very large landscaped garden, this peninsula border was filled with exhausted plants in the wrong place. Most of them were moved to other parts of the garden and a few mature perennials were left to compliment the new planting.

The client brief was for colourful planting for a Summer garden party. Despite being the hottest and driest conditions that I can remember, the work was completed in good time and once established will improve year on year.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026
'Tales From The Riverbank'
Balcony Garden
Gold Medal

Described by garden designer and journalist Bunny Guinness in her article for The Telegraph as one of "The seven must-see gardens" at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026.

The full article is available to read using the link below.

My Design Principles

My core principles are simple: 'Right plant, right place', a concept popularized by Beth Chatto, the great garden designer and author, in the 1960s. For plants to truly thrive they have to be happy, and that means putting them in the right soil, in the right location at the right time. Happy plants make the most beautiful gardens and that is what I strive for.

When supplying plants and trees for my clients I will always try to source them from the best suppliers and growers. Most are local but if necessary I will look further afield to find what I want. All my suppliers will have issued the plants with UK Plant Passports which means that they meet UK Plant Health Standards and are free from quarantine pests and diseases. This maintains biosecurity and prevents spreading plant health issues.

I am an advocate of organic gardening. For me that means using natural methods to control pests and diseases rather than synthetic chemicals. I believe that a holistic approach can create a sustainable ecosystem, which in the long run is not only better for the garden but is also better for the wider environment.

My projects range from complete re-designs to freshening up a border. From planting an orchard of trees to setting up raised beds for 'grow your own' fruit and vegetables. From a naturalistic cottage garden to something more formal. Whether simple or complicated, no two designs will ever be exactly the same and the personality of each individual plant is encouraged to develop and make its contribution.

New planting can create a home for a diversity of wildlife, it can transform views and provide new smells. Working with and being surrounded by plants is joyful. I regard them all as children that I am nurturing and encouraging to grow, so that they can survive on their own and develop into beautiful and useful contributors to a world that isn't always kind or sympathetic to their needs.

I'm passionate about educating and encouraging people and especially young children to experience the wonder and joy of gardening, especially now that so many hobbies and interests are done remotely via a screen. In my experience children love the reality and the magic of gardening. They learn without realizing it and they become so involved with the garden itself that they become part of it. When a child first grows something that they can smell or eat, they will remember that moment for the rest of their life.That's how it started for me. Growing radishes in an old stone kitchen sink aged 4 or 5 is my first memory of gardening and decades later I am still doing it.

My Design Process

All my projects start with an informal chat, so don't hesitate to get in touch via email, drop me a message or give me a call. Following that, this is how I structure a new project:

Detailed Consultation

This is so that I can get to know your garden, your taste and your inspiration and we will also discuss your budget for the project. I will arrange to visit you on site if local, or can arrange a video call if necessary which will take approximately 1 hour. I do not charge for this consultation.

Following the consultation, I will email a detailed Quotation. Upon acceptance you will asked to pay a deposit of 25% of the total. The remainder will be divided into stage payments Once the deposit has been received I will start work on mood boards, a design proposal and scope of works.

Contract Documents and Drawings

Drawings consist of a master plan, detailed planting plan(s) and a plant schedule. Most drawings are to scale and are nearly always drawn by hand. This allows me to feel the design as it develops.

Planting & Completion

Planting and completion can be done by you or your gardener or I can personally order, deliver, position and even plant up your new design for you, This option will have been decided right from the start of our communication and included in my Quotation. I will ensure that the planting takes place at the optimum time giving your new garden the best possible start.

Maintenance Plan

I will nearly always leave you with a maintenance plan for at least the first 12 months after planting. It is an important part of the process because the quality of the maintenance will directly affect the longevity of your plants and the design. I can arrange follow up visits if required at an extra cost.

Full Terms & Conditions are available below and will be attached to your Quotation.

Terms & Conditions

Sustainable Practices

My designs work with Nature to create a bio-diverse environment where insects and wildlife can thrive. Our future depends on protecting our pollinating insects and natural predators so that garden pests are kept in check naturally and not by using pesticides. Clever planting can help with this.

Something as simple as creating a "dead hedge" rather than throwing away woody garden waste can transform the biodiversity in a garden.

Another consideration which is becoming increasingly important is planting for a changing climate. Drought and flood tolerance within a garden can be achieved with the right design and plant knowledge.

Bespoke Drawings

There is nothing 'off the shelf' about my drawings. No cutting and pasting from design publications. All my drawings are bespoke and nearly always drawn by hand to produce technically correct scale drawings which are also informative and easy to understand.

Drawings are an essential element of the design process. Not only to convey ideas from the designer to the client but also to provide essential information. This planting plan is an example.

From inspiration to reality

Inspiration can come from many directions. The most important consideration is to understand your garden and what will thrive and what will just survive. There are plants for every type of soil and every type of location. The secret to a good garden design is to bring everything together and create a garden that you will always find interesting and always be excited to spend time in.