The client wanted to bring more interest to the garden and introduce a stronger wildlife element. They also wanted a greenhouse area for producing flower and vegetable seedlings, so the design needed to support both ornamental and productive gardening.

Tony began with a site survey, plotting the existing features the client wanted to retain. This allowed the new design to work with the garden’s established character rather than starting from a blank sheet.

• A considered survey of existing garden features.
• A wildlife pond and planting with habitat value.
• Gravel paths to give access to the greenhouse.
• A layout that flowed around the garden and respected the setting.
• A design that could be installed by a landscaper or phased by the owners.

This Elmesthorpe garden was a new-build plot set in its own grounds. It had the feeling of an open field at the beginning, with plenty of potential but also a need for structure, shelter, planting direction and a realistic plan.

Because the homeowners wanted to carry out parts of the work themselves and manage spending carefully, Tony advised using an overall garden design as a guide, then implementing it in stages as funds and time allowed.

• A blank new-build garden with limited established structure.
• The need to create shape, privacy and long-term planting interest.
• A practical phased plan rather than a single expensive transformation.
• Ongoing advice when the owners needed help with decisions.

The ambition for this garden near Melton Mowbray was to bring life and structure to the grounds of a Grade II listed building. The garden needed planting that felt sympathetic to the house while still creating a fresh, useful and evolving outdoor space.

With a quarter-acre site, the advice had to consider scale, views, existing character and long-term maintenance. The work included substantial borders with perennial and structural planting to connect old and new parts of the garden.

• Planting that respected the character of the listed building.
• Generous borders with long-term structure.
• A modern feel that did not jar with the property.
• Ongoing guidance as the garden continued to evolve.

This Leicester garden began as a straightforward area of grass. The owners wanted something more considered: a grown-up entertaining garden with distinct areas, visual intrigue and places to sit at different times of day.

The challenge was to create a stronger layout without making the garden difficult to maintain. Tony’s advice focused on structure first, then planting and detail.

• Create a more mature entertaining space.
• Break up a plain lawn into garden rooms and routes.
• Add seating opportunities for different times of day.
• Keep the finished garden practical for a busy owner.
• Use planting and layout to create a modern feel without losing softness.