PLANTING PLANS
While some gardens need full a re-design, (e.g new build houses, and after a building project) others gardens just need re-freshed borders to revitalise them. It really depends on what you want and where you’re starting from.
I’ve worked with many clients who just wanted to simplify a mature garden, or add more colour and interest closer to the house.
Planting plans have to balance a lot of competing factors:
soil type (clay, sand, acidic, alkaline, plus factors like water table)
aspect (how much sun, how much wind, frost pocket)
the style of the house
how much maintenance the plants need
balance of structure and texture, form and colour
and of course - wishes of the client
climate - increasingly wet winters, hot /dry summers
I’ve worked in locations across Surrey, so have lots of experience across these variables locally.
There are then literally thousands of plants to choose from. It can be mind boggling, but it’s the bit of the job I love. Luckily, my years of experience as a gardener, and now a garden designer, means I know which plants are reliable, robust and easy to look after.
“Vicky created an amazing border for our back garden, which wraps around a large new patio, and it looks incredible. Vicky designed the borders, sourced everything we needed, and set out the plants on site. Vicky’s team planted up the border and we now follow a monthly list of maintenance jobs. We’re so happy with the result.”
Anna, Farnham 2023
Here’s my process for creating a planting plan:
Discussion with client on preferred colour palettes, style of planting, maintenance level.
Planting moodboards - with images and plant names.
Design scale planting plans
Sourcing plants from trusted and specialist nurseries
Plant delivery and setting out
Planting up (lots of digging!)
Creating your maintenance document - a bespoke monthly guide to look after your new garden
Some clients choose to keep me on, or one of my team, to maintain the garden
