The garden design process

The process of designing your new garden is an exciting one. The key to creating a beautiful garden design is for us to listen carefully and understand your needs. Our experienced team work closely with you every step of the way from initial consultations to completed garden design, ensuring that your project is a success.

Image of Rob Hardy, garden designer taking dead flowers off a plant in a garden
 

The first step is to understand.

The first step is to meet with you at your home and discuss your vision for the garden. Don’t worry if you’re not sure what you want just yet - we can help to give you some garden ideas or suggestions.

 
 
Photo of Rob Hardy chatting to someone else at a table. On the table is a notebook which Rob is writing, and garden sketches

Your garden design consultation

This initial garden design consultation takes approximately one hour, and we will discuss in detail what you are looking for in your garden.

Following our meeting, we will prepare a written proposal for the project, alongside a garden design quotation.

 
Garden sketch with annotations

Garden survey & site analysis

Following the initial garden design consultation, we will arrange to survey the garden, taking accurate measurements of the existing features and recording the level changes across the space. You will receive a base plan of the existing garden prior to moving on to the next step.

 
 

Then we design.

With an understanding of your needs around your garden, and the site, we start the design process.

 
 
Photo of someone holding a page with a garden plan drawn onto it

Step one. Concept Plan

With a clear understanding of the project brief, we will create a concept design. This is a sketchy presentation of the proposed garden design. We form the design through the use of hand drawn sketches and 3D models to help you visualise the space.

You will receive a plan view, several illustrations of the design and an animation, so that you can look at the new garden from different viewpoints. It’s at this stage of the garden design process that we discuss the design in detail. We make tweaks here and there, to make sure that you are happy with the finished garden design.

 
Someone leaning onto a table, drawing onto a garden plan

Step two. Master Plan

Once you are ready to proceed, we will prepare the detailed drawings that a landscaper will require to build the garden to the exact specifications of the design. This contains key information such as a layout plan, choice of materials, levels, and construction details, should these be required.

 
Mood Board for Rob Hardy & Co Garden Design

Step three. Planting Plan

The final step in the garden design process is the planting plan. Plants add the finished touches to the garden, once all the hard landscaping is complete. A planting plan is a scale drawing which describes the exact location, quantity and species names of each plant chosen for your garden. This could include trees, shrubs, climbers, herbaceous perennials, annuals, and bulbs.

You will also receive a plant schedule, which will allow your landscaper to quickly request a quotation from plant nurseries.

To support the ongoing care of your garden, we can also provide a monthly maintenance schedule, to help you or your gardener keep your new garden looking perfect.

 

And finally, we build.

We also offer further support after the garden design process, to bring your dream space to life.

 
 

Tendering for a landscaper.

We can help you to find the right garden landscaper for the job by overseeing the tender process. We will prepare the necessary paperwork and manage the selection process so that you can be assured that you have the right landscaper for the job and at the right price.

Detailed specifications.

Should it be required, we can prepare a detailed specification for landscapers to follow to ensure that the work is carried out to the highest standard.

 

Project monitoring.

We always like to keep in touch with our clients, but if you would like us to monitor the construction work as it progresses, then we can offer a service to do this.

Planting.

To ensure your new garden thrives, our skilled horticulturalist team can carry out the planting once the hard landscaping is finished. We can also prepare a maintenance schedule and advise on how best to keep your garden looking its best for years to come.

Want to find out more or get started?

Get in touch to have a chat about your project.