A lighter-touch way to transform an existing garden — working with what is already there, improving the spaces that matter most, and using planting and simple hard-landscape changes to create the biggest impact.
Sometimes the best approach is the simplest: keep the good bones, refine the layout, improve an existing terrace, path or seating area, strengthen the structure with trees and shrubs, and renew the planting so the garden feels more coherent, generous and enjoyable.
Planting is tailored to how much time and interest you have for looking after it — from simple, resilient schemes that are easy to maintain to richer, more varied planting if you enjoy gardening.
I can help you decide what to keep, move or replace, improve borders and edges, and make simple hard-landscape changes where they will have the most impact. I can also take the planting from design through sourcing and supply to delivery and setting out on site.
A simpler, lighter-touch process with less construction and disruption — and a garden you can enjoy sooner.
A simpler, lighter-touch process with less construction and disruption — and a garden you can enjoy sooner.
Looking for a more complete transformation? Explore Garden Redesign.
Planning a garden or landscape project?
Get in touch, or read on to see how the Garden Refresh process works.
Get in touch, or read on to see how the Garden Refresh process works.
1. INITIAL CONVERSATION
A short call to understand your garden and what you want to change.
A short call to understand your garden and what you want to change.
We’ll talk about what’s working, what isn’t, your priorities, budget and whether this lighter-touch approach is right for you.
Next step: site visit.
2. SITE VISIT
Understanding what to keep, what to improve and where the biggest opportunities lie.
Understanding what to keep, what to improve and where the biggest opportunities lie.
I’ll review the existing garden, key spaces, trees and planting, access, levels and any simple hard-landscape changes worth considering.
Next step: clear proposal and fee.
3. DESIGN
A simple plan for refreshing the garden, with planting at its heart. Depending on the project, this may include:
Layout / plan
Trees + shrubs
Planting palette
Simple material choices
Key drawings for straightforward build elements
A simple plan for refreshing the garden, with planting at its heart. Depending on the project, this may include:
Layout / plan
Trees + shrubs
Planting palette
Simple material choices
Key drawings for straightforward build elements
Next step: pricing and plant supply.
4. SIMPLE BUILD + PRICING
Getting any small construction elements ready to price and build. If the design includes a terrace, path, steps, edging or similar, I’ll provide the information needed for a contractor to price the work clearly and we'll organise the work to be done prior to the new planting.
Getting any small construction elements ready to price and build. If the design includes a terrace, path, steps, edging or similar, I’ll provide the information needed for a contractor to price the work clearly and we'll organise the work to be done prior to the new planting.
Next step: Contractor pricing + plant supply
5. SOURCE + SUPPLY
I can source the trees, shrubs and plants, coordinate delivery and ensure the scheme is supplied as intended. Planting is selected to suit the conditions, maintenance level and character you want.
I can source the trees, shrubs and plants, coordinate delivery and ensure the scheme is supplied as intended. Planting is selected to suit the conditions, maintenance level and character you want.
Next step: Work begins on-site and planting is delivered.
6. SET OUT + PLANT
Turning the plan into the garden.
Turning the plan into the garden.
Once the plants arrive, I can set them out on site so spacing and composition are right before planting begins.
Planting can then be carried out by your gardener, contractor or planting team.
Next step: Simple maintenance hand-over.
GARDEN REFRESH FAQ
Is Garden Refresh right for my garden?
It is designed for existing gardens that need improvement rather than a complete rebuild — particularly where the basic structure is working but planting, borders, terraces, paths or key spaces need refreshing.
It is designed for existing gardens that need improvement rather than a complete rebuild — particularly where the basic structure is working but planting, borders, terraces, paths or key spaces need refreshing.
Do I need to redesign the whole garden?
No. Often the most effective approach is to work with the structure that is already there — improving planting, borders and key spaces, with simple hard-landscape changes where they add real value.
No. Often the most effective approach is to work with the structure that is already there — improving planting, borders and key spaces, with simple hard-landscape changes where they add real value.
Does it have to be planting-only?
No. Planting is at the heart of the service, but simple hard-landscape changes such as a patio, path, steps, gravel area or edging can be included where they will make a meaningful difference.
No. Planting is at the heart of the service, but simple hard-landscape changes such as a patio, path, steps, gravel area or edging can be included where they will make a meaningful difference.
Will the planting be high maintenance?
Only if you want it to be. The planting is designed around how much time and interest you have for looking after the garden — from simple, resilient schemes to richer seasonal planting.
Only if you want it to be. The planting is designed around how much time and interest you have for looking after the garden — from simple, resilient schemes to richer seasonal planting.
Can you work with plants and trees I already have?
Yes. A key part of the process is deciding what is worth keeping, moving, pruning or replacing, so the design makes the most of what is already there.
Yes. A key part of the process is deciding what is worth keeping, moving, pruning or replacing, so the design makes the most of what is already there.
Can you supply the plants?
Yes. I can source the trees, shrubs and plants, coordinate delivery and set them out on site so the scheme is implemented as intended.
Yes. I can source the trees, shrubs and plants, coordinate delivery and set them out on site so the scheme is implemented as intended.
Who actually plants everything?
Planting can be carried out by your gardener, contractor or an appropriate planting team. I can set plants out beforehand so spacing and composition are right.
Planting can be carried out by your gardener, contractor or an appropriate planting team. I can set plants out beforehand so spacing and composition are right.
Can you help with a small patio or simple construction?
Yes. If straightforward construction is part of the refresh, I can prepare the information needed for a contractor to price and carry out the work.
Is Garden Refresh cheaper than a full redesign?Yes. If straightforward construction is part of the refresh, I can prepare the information needed for a contractor to price and carry out the work.
Usually, because the intention is to work with more of what already exists and limit construction. The exact cost depends on the scope, plant quantities and any hard-landscape changes. I can provide early cost estimate to help you prioritise.
What happens first?
We start with a short conversation to understand what you want to change. If the service feels like a good fit, I’ll visit the garden and then send you a clear proposal and fee.
We start with a short conversation to understand what you want to change. If the service feels like a good fit, I’ll visit the garden and then send you a clear proposal and fee.