LANDSCAPING
How I work
Unlike some garden designers I am happy to also install the gardens which I have designed. In addition, if you already have a garden design obtained elsewhere, I can undertake the installation whilst liaising with your designer - or managing the project myself if your designer is no longer involved.
Your garden is in safe hands: In addition to the industry standard RHS General Certificate I also hold the Advanced National Certificate in Horticulture (Landscape & Design). Naturally I maintain full insurance cover and am registered by the Environment Agency to carry waste legally.
The free quote: Whenever appropriate I offer a fixed price for all works
The garden
All gardens must have basic structural elements in order to link, separate, or screen various areas of the plot. This is the hard landscaping which comprises the permanent structures of the garden e.g. walls, paving, terraces, patios, decking etc.
The driveway
The drive and front garden are noticed before anything else, so transforming this part of your property will certainly make an impact whilst also adding value.
Below: Before. The digger arrives and I remove 12 cm of arisings. The base is then compacted and back filled with 5 - 20 mm Golden flint.
Below: After. My client's detailed specifications ensured that he got exactly what he required.
Below: Before. These runways are nearly 50 years old and have deteriorated.
Above: After. Concrete curbing has been employed and 1.5 cubic metres of PAV 1 ready mix makes a secure base.
Examples:
The following photographs illustrate a few examples of my work which include hard and soft landscaping completed to the particular instructions of clients.
Below: Project in St Clements, Oxford. The client who commissioned me to install this garden has generously offered to provide an email reference. Please contact me for details.
Below: Frontage before
Below: After, with a natural stone plinth in the middle and plenty of organic matter added, the bed is now ready to be planted.
Below: Rear patio area before
Above: After - the colours of the natural stone are enhanced by
inclement weather
Below: Rear with step down and new gate.
Below: Rear garden before
Above: After - natural stone plinths and acers
Besides patios I lay paving and sets and create lawns of different shapes and sizes within different surrounds. There are many interesting types of patios and patio slabs to choose from which - combined with an attractive planting plan - can transform even a small garden.
Below: Pathway before: The old slabs have been removed.
Above: After: The pathway with Italian tiles.
Below: Pictures of a project in High Cogges near South Leigh (before)
Below: After: The soil was mainly clay so I added 3 tons of organic matter. Some young plants have been installed but the remainder will be planted in Autumn when the ground is warm and moist; this will be followed by a mulch of well rotted stable manure to give protection throughout the winter and provide them with a good start next year
Below: Early June the following year.
Below:
A couple in Jericho needed space and a lawn for a young child. Their main priority was that all poisonous plants should be removed. The garden was landscaped to the clients specification and a new natural stone patio was installed. The property didn't benefit from a side entrance and our clients were very patient with us as we barrowed everything through the house. Thanks Sophie, Andy and Hebe.
Above: Before
Above: The same view after the work was completed showing the new natural stone patio. The lawn has been re-seeded and the garden cleared and made child-friendly.
Below: Project in Witney (West End).
Due to both the owners working long hours the garden below had sadly fallen into a state of neglect. In total, 5 tons of material (inc). new turf) were moved in and out of the garden; all materials and equipment were ferried through the house and great care was taken that nothing was damaged in the process.
Below: This garden in Standlake was overgrown and not adding value to the house.
Above: After (1): The yew tree has been hard pruned and the daffodils and blue grape hyacinths are emerging
Above: After (2): Here come the tulips
Above: After (3): Early summer
Below: Before. This walled garden in Witney had poor drainage and too much shade for a lawn.
Above: After. Mid July and the block paving (Tegula Cobbles) creates a cooling courtyard garden and with the addition of pots and hanging baskets some colour is brought to a lifeless and uninviting shady space. The wall has been re-pointed and painted with Farrow and Ball strong white; a piece of wrought iron trellis adds a focal point for a climbing hydrangea to explore.
Above: Another before aspect
Above: After
Above: Another after shot from a different perspective.
The comparative quote: Many people get a few quotes and take the cheapest. This is generally not a good way to procede as the cheapest quote is nearly always an under-quote or has been offered because the contractors are desperate for work. Once the contractors are on site their main priority will be to cut their own costs which is certainly not in the interest of the client.
Steps.
Below: Before.
Below: After.
Below: Before.
Below: After.
