Dee Stewart Garden Design

Initial Consultation

At an introductory meeting with you at your property, I gain an initial impression of your garden and spend time understanding your requirements, and your likes and dislikes. At this stage I will give you some initial thoughts about what could be achieved. Ideally you will be able to give me a feel for your budget for the overall garden, to help me create a design that meets your expectations and is achievable. We also need to agree what elements of my services you require. I carry out this initial stage free of charge and follow up with a written brief, including an estimated cost and breakdown of work to be carried out.

Ongoing Help and Advice

Your garden will develop over time – as may your use of the garden. I can come back at any stage to offer advice and help regarding maintenance, pruning, new additions, etc. I can also provide a Plant Portfolio - a personalised, illustrated book outlining all the plants in your garden, how to identify them, key features and how to care for them, all supported by clear colour photographs. I can provide a sample of this if required. I love to see my clients’ gardens grow and want to see my clients develop a real appreciation of what we’ve created together!

Planting Service

Once the garden has been built and the hard landscaping is in place, I can provide a full planting service, whereby I source all (or some) of the plants on the planting plan. I have relationships with a number of high quality nurseries, and know where to find the best plants for your garden at the best price. I generally aim to hand-pick the plants to ensure quality and that each plant contributes to the overall design. I then work with my recommended gardener (or yours) to position the plants in the garden to create the desired effect and maximum impact. Sourcing and planting plants is clearly dependent on the time of year. I am happy to take a phased approach, or to advise you if you want to do this yourself.

The Build

This is where it all comes to life! I like to keep in close communication throughout the build to ensure an immaculate quality of construction, but the main activity will be carried out by your chosen landscape contractor. This may be someone you have identified yourself or one of my trusted partners. I can help in the selection process and should you require it, provide you with a quote from one of my my recommended builders (who will accompany me on site should you want to take this option). My involvement here is typically at the setting out stage (helping ensure that the plans are fully understood) – simply to supervise and answer any queries arising from the plan - and ongoing checkpoints as required.

Erigeron pink and yellow flower with bee.

Planting Plans

I can produce detailed planting plans, specifying a full range of trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants and bulbs to suit your garden. This includes full-named varieties, pot sizes and quantities, and the location of each plant in your garden. The right planting not only defines the style of your garden but considers year-round interest, how things will grow over time, and maintenance requirements. Each plant is chosen to suit your conditions. Aspects such as plant size and quantity ensure the plants will become established quickly to give maximum impact. Note that sometimes small plants establish quicker! Getting the planting right is essential to avoid wasting your money and, more importantly, to realise your vision.

Detailed Master Plan

The master plan is a scale drawing of your new garden and sets out both hard landscaping features (paths, driveways, patios, pergolas, etc.) and soft landscaping areas (lawns, vegetable gardens, trees, borders, etc.). The plan is drawn to scale and sufficiently detailed that it can be used by assigned landscapers or contractors, allowing them to quote for the build, or begin work directly. It specifies materials to be used, such as paving materials, fencing, archways, etc., as well as feature plants. In selecting materials I take into account what will work for your garden and also aspects such as sustainability and conservation of natural resources.

Concept Design

The concept design shows the outline plan for your new garden, including key elements such as patios and seating areas, water features and pathways as well as lawns and planting areas. This will typically be supported by sketches and other visuals to give you a feel for the proposed plan and what the completed garden will look like. What I produce is based on what I learned from our earlier discussions, my own knowledge and experience, and an understanding of your site. This is a great opportunity for us jointly to refine the design, make decisions about important features and make sure the overall plan meets your expectations.

Full Site Survey

If you choose to go ahead, I will then carry out full measurement of your garden, taking soil samples and plenty of photographs. I make sure I take into account not just your garden. but neighbouring trees, buildings, views, etc. Like any major works to your house, an accurate plan is essential to ensure that costly mistakes are avoided and the finished garden meets your requirements. If your site is very large and complex, I can arrange for a survey to be carried out by a qualified surveyor, and if necessary by a qualified arboriculturist to assess any trees.