Design Services

Garden Consultation

A thoughtful start to your garden journey.

Without a clear plan, gardens can become costly to maintain and lose their ecological value.  Let’s avoid that by designing a space that thrives naturally, supports wildlife and helps you feel closer to nature – a garden that looks beautiful, feels balanced and enhances your everyday life.

Some clients choose to carry out their own projects and use the consultation as a one-off expert session. Once their desired structure is in place I can then advise on plants through my Planting Design Service.

We had an initial consultation where Claire learned about our likes and dislikes and how we intend to use the garden. What Claire produced were fabulous designs that met our brief and introduced innovative concepts that we would not have thought of.

Why begin with a consultation?

A well planned garden doesn’t just happen – it grows from a clear vision, practical insight and professional guidance. My consultation service allows you to explore your gardens’ potential, get expert advice, and begin shaping ideas that suit your home, lifestyle and local landscape.


The visit helps me to understand your space and how you like to use it, so I can recommend the most suitable design service for you.

What to expect

Your consultation takes place at your property and lasts around two hours. I’ll ask you to complete a questionnaire before my visit, which lets you think about garden styles and how you’d like to use the garden.


During our time, we’ll walk through your garden, discuss ideas, challenges and aspirations.

Consultations start at £179 plus travel expenses*, with a written summary of our discussion available for an additional sum (please note these are notes from the meeting, not drawings or plans).

What we'll cover:

Depending on your needs and scope of your project we may cover…

Ways to refresh or reimagine areas that lack structure, colour, or year-round interest.

Advice on planting to attract wildlife and create a balanced, sustainable garden.

Guidance on caring for existing plants and rejuvenating tired borders.

Identifying what to keep, remove, or enhance — especially useful if you’ve recently moved home.

You may be planning a house move and wondering what plants you can re-locate.

Practical design considerations such as layout, access, family needs, materials, and budget.  Assessing views, boundaries, and focal points — what to frame, and what to soften or screen.

Maintenance needs now and in the future, to ensure your garden works for your lifestyle.

When appropriate,  advice on whether a detailed professional survey will be needed for future design stages and basic soil checks.

Next steps, including indicative costs for surveys, planting plans, or full garden design.

Planting Design

Bringing your Garden to Life

Planting design is where your garden’s true character — and its connection with nature — really come to life. I begin with your site: its soil, aspect, and microclimate, then build layered schemes that balance structure and seasonal interest. Your colour preferences and maintenance expectations are carefully considered. I’ll guide your plant choices so the design reflects your personal style and the amount of time you wish to spend caring for your garden. Plant choices follow the “right plant, right place” principle and prioritise biodiversity.

Tailored to Your Garden

A bespoke planting plan is produced for your existing borders, accompanied by a full plant list. Your garden's specific conditions are carefully considered - whether your soil is acid or alkaline, clay or loamy - soil improvement advice is included to give your new plants the best possible start. Where viable we'll rejuvenate and reuse your existing plants, shrubs or trees - helping to reduce waste and promote a more sustainable garden. There are several options for plant sourcing and planting and will be based on what best suits your needs.

A Garden that Grows Beautifully

The final design brings together combinations that feel calm and coherent, are practical to maintain, and align with current best practice in nature-positive design. The result is a planting scheme that looks beautiful from day one and matures gracefully — a garden that’s rich in life, colour, and seasonal interest.

Garden Design

If you’d like a cohesive design that connects your home and garden beautifully, and reflects your love of nature, my Full Garden Design Service is ideal. This service builds on the information gathered during your initial consultation and turns it into a cohesive, creative and practical plan for your garden to transform and enhance your outdoor space.

Garden Design Process

Various steps are involved which I will explain in more detail at the start of your project.
  1. Site Analysis & Survey
  2. Mood Board and Idea Development
  3. Master Plan (also known as Concept Plan)
  4. Technical Drawings and Specifications
  5. Implementation and Support

Implementation and Support

Once the detailed design is complete you’ll have a comprehensive package ready for build and I will explain the next steps.  I’ll keep you updated every step of the way.  

I can liaise with contractors where needed to ensure the design intent is carried through accurately. 

Ongoing guidance can be provided and support to care for the garden  sourced – this ensures your investment matures beautifully and the space continues to thrive.

Master Plan

Idea Development

Technical Specifications

*travel expenses are based on a combination of time and distance from Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

Enquiries

Ready to Begin? Book your consultation today and start growing a garden that gives back to nature as much as it gives to you.
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