Designed for
Real Life
I’m a Lincolnshire garden designer specialising in beautifully considered, low‑maintenance planting schemes for homeowners and businesses. Whether you’re refreshing tired borders or planning a full garden transformation, the result is a space tailored to your lifestyle and designed for real life.
Full garden design
Not sure where to start with a whole garden? I’ll design the layout, the borders and the planting together, so everything from your patio to your beds works as one considered space, and you’re not guessing what goes where.
Border design
If a border’s gone patchy, needs watering every other day, or just isn’t looking its best anymore and making you smile, I’ll redesign it with planting chosen for your soil and light, so it looks good all year with easy upkeep.
Garden consultations
Sometimes you just need a second pair of eyes. I’ll spend time with you in your garden, talking through your concerns and offering practical advice, planting ideas and plant suggestions to help you move forward.
Businesses
Whether it’s a restaurant garden that needs to survive daily footfall with no staff to tend it, or a show home that has to look finished the day viewers walk round, I design planting that looks considered from day one.
How it works
My design process is simple. I get to know you and your space, then choose planting that’s low maintenance, wildlife-friendly and right for your soil and site, so you don’t need to know a thing about plants, you can just enjoy the garden.
1. Consultation
This relaxed, on-site session includes a full soil and site analysis, followed by a chat about your hopes for the garden. You’ll also explore my Planting Chart– a visual guide to plants suited to your space. It’s a fun, no-pressure way to discover what you love (no plant names required!) Most selections are low-maintenance and RHS Award of Garden Merit approved.
2. Planting Design Handbook
After your consultation, I’ll create a bespoke planting design tailored to you and your garden. You’ll receive your personalised Planting Design Handbook– a beautifully presented guide with 3D visuals, plant mood boards, and plant lists to help you picture your new garden. It also includes care instructions to keep your plants thriving all year round.
3. Source, supply and install your plants
I can source and supply all the plants from your Planting Design Handbook, using trusted local nurseries, often at a lower cost than garden centres. Once delivered, I’ll place each plant in its perfect spot, ready for planting by you, a local gardener, or by me if you’d like me to do the planting myself. This ensures your garden takes shape exactly as envisioned, with every plant in the right place from the start.
4. Keeping in touch visits
To keep your planting design looking its best I offer seasonal garden visits throughout the year. During each session I’ll check that your plants are thriving, offer gentle guidance on care and maintenance, and help you build confidence in looking after your garden, so it continues to flourish beautifully, season after season.
Right plant, right place, right person
I believe beautiful planting should be easy to enjoy and simple to maintain. That’s why I specialise in low-maintenance garden designs tailored to your soil, site conditions, and lifestyle, while also supporting wildlife and encouraging pollinators to thrive.
Whether it’s a family garden, a public space, or a sleek urban terrace, every design is guided by three key principles:
1
Low maintenance designs that are attractive all year round.
2
Plant combinations that thrive in your soil & conditions.
3
Designs that benefit wildlife & attract pollinators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions, however if your question is not answered below please do get in touch!
What size gardens do you design?
Any size! From small front gardens and family spaces to large public gardens, residential developments, and commercial projects. No garden is too big or too small for The Planting Designer.
You design low-maintenance gardens, does that mean I don’t need to do anything?
Not quite! All gardens need a little care to keep them looking their best, just like cleaning your home. There will be seasonal tasks, but the plants I use are long-flowering, structurally reliable, and chosen to suit your space. Once established, your garden will have no bare soil, which means fewer weeds and less work overall.
Do you charge for the initial garden consultation?
Yes, I do. During this session, I carry out a soil analysis and talk through planting and design options tailored to your garden. If you choose to move forward with the Planting Design Handbook stage, the consultation fee is deducted from the overall cost.
How much does it cost to have you design my garden?
It depends, every garden is unique, and costs vary based on size, complexity, and your needs. As a guide, an “average” new-build garden (a blank canvas) would be around £500 for the Planting Design Handbook. I’ll provide a clear breakdown during your In-Garden Consultation.
Do you offer hard landscaping?
I design all your hard landscaped areas, from terraces and outdoor dining spaces to seating spots and even the less glamorous bin storage. I work with trusted external contractors who can provide quotes for the installation, and together we’ll bring your garden design to life.
Do I have to wait for the warmer months to design my garden?
Absolutely not! Autumn and winter are actually great times to start planning your garden. Planting can happen year-round, as long as the ground isn’t frozen, and the best time to plant is often between autumn and spring. I usually avoid planting in summer, since it requires lots of watering to help plants settle in.
I don’t know anything about plants, does that matter?
That’s exactly where I come in. You don’t need to know your Geums from your Geraniums. During your In-Garden Consultation, I’ll share The Planting Chart—a bit like a paint chart for plants. It’s a curated book filled with photos of plants I regularly use, so you can simply choose what you like (and what you don’t), no plant knowledge needed.
When I design your garden, you’ll receive your personalised Planting Design Handbook, complete with plant names, pictures, and easy-to-follow care tips—so you’ll feel confident looking after your garden as it grows.
Reviews
Recommended!
We heartily recommend your work and will see you next year to have the next area planned out and brought to fruition.
— Valerie, Sleaford
Professional!
A really professional approach. It was such a luxury of seeing the expected imagery of our future garden design.
— Hannah, Lincoln
Transformative!
A transformation of my small, neglected, concrete heavy front garden into a pretty, evergreen, welcoming space. I am so glad we sought The Planting Designer’s help to tackle the area.
— Jessica, Welton
