What to expect from a professional garden design.
The challenges of establishing a new garden
For this particular garden, the Client is not an experienced gardener but fully appreciates that gardens take time to establish. During the first 18 months after implementation, our regular aftercare visits helped guide the garden through a number of expected and unexpected challenges.
These included:
- Grazing by deer and rabbits.
- An enthusiastic family dog with a habit of digging up and chewing newly planted specimens.
- An exceptionally wet first winter, followed by drought conditions and hosepipe restrictions during the first full growing season.
While every planting scheme is designed with anticipated challenges in mind, nature often has other plans. Our role is to respond to changing conditions, adapt the management strategy where necessary, and help the garden continue to develop towards the original design vision.
The visual differences so far
In our previous post, we shared the difference between the garden immediately after implementation and the same space just 18 months later.
The maintenance we have provided so far.
Regular aftercare visits during the first 18 months have allowed us to monitor the garden’s development and support the Client as the planting establishes.
Our role has included:
- designing a protection barrier from deer damaging tree bark.
- additional tree staking advice.
- advice for training in climbing plants.
- seasonal guidance on watering strategies during drought and hosepipe restrictions.
- replacing plants where necessary.
- helping the Client understand how the garden will evolve and what to expect as it matures.
This ongoing involvement gives the garden the best possible opportunity to establish successfully, while giving the Client confidence that it is progressing as intended.
Future developments we can expect to see for this garden
Although the transformation over the first 18 months has been significant, this garden is still in the early stages of its development.
As time passes, the perennial planting will continue to mature, gradually filling the remaining spaces as each variety reaches its intended spread. Around the sunken fire pit, the hedge will knit together to form a continuous green enclosure, strengthening the sense of intimacy within this space.
The existing trees will continue to establish the structural framework that underpins the entire design. As their canopies develop, they will create a stronger architectural presence and provide greater balance alongside the bespoke oak pergola. This is naturally a longer-term process, with the desired framework developing progressively over the next two to five years and beyond.
The climbers over the archway will gradually cover the structure, creating a more immersive transition between different areas of the garden. As growth accelerates, we will continue to monitor and selectively prune them to ensure they complement, rather than overwhelm, the surrounding planting.
Because the garden occupies an exposed site, growth currently runs around two weeks behind that of a more sheltered location. Maintenance timings will continue to be adapted to reflect these local conditions.
Perhaps most encouragingly, we are already seeing biodiversity increase, with pollinators and other beneficial insects becoming established. As the planting matures and habitats diversify, we expect this ecological richness to continue developing, creating a healthier and more resilient garden year after year.
This garden has been shortlisted for HTA Association of Professional Landscaper Awards 2027.