Why you should use a designer and how they can help.
A garden designer understands aesthetic, layout and usability. Their job is to acknowledge the clients needs and ensure that every element of available space has been well considered. In short, a garden designer is always looking at the bigger picture. As with many home projects, it’s easy to fall into the trap of picking and choosing to change small aspects of your space, one at a time. This can lead to gardens lacking focus and flow.
Garden designers understand plants. Choosing the wrong plants for particular areas of the garden can end in frustrating results and ultimately a huge waste of money. Whether you want to get your hands dirty a few hours a week or be relatively maintenance free, a garden designer can make sure your garden suits you. Understanding aspect, soil, habit and maintenance, designers can make sure the garden and the client have realistic expectations of each other.
Blue and yellow border, West Dean gardens, West Sussex.
Why use a garden designer?
Re-designing a garden is time-consuming. There are many factors involved which a client may not immediately think of. Garden designers are trained to consider all elements of the design from sketching ideas to the build process; surveying, layout design, planning hard landscaping and selecting plants.
A garden designer can deal with contractors, order materials and oversee all of the work. These are often elements a client may not know what to expect, want to deal with, or simply don't have the time to do.
A garden designer is trained to understand plants. How will that tree grow? Which species thrive in the dry shade? What plants guarantee year round interest?
Designers also have knowledge of hard landscaping, such as paving, walls, steps and water features. A designer will be able to consider tricky elements such as changes in levels, and which materials will complement the house and the proposed planting.
It's worth clarifying, a garden designer is not a gardener. Designers are specially trained to offer pointers and tips of how to layout a garden, and tackle the many challenges a plot may have.
Garden designers should be fully trained and qualified to advise a client on all elements of plan and build, working alongside garden maintenance companies and landscaping contractors to ensure work is carried out to a professional level.
Think a garden designer is exactly what you need? Book a consultation session with us now!