Dean Garden Design
A private cottage garden in August (planted spring 2024)
A naturalistic garden calls for just as much planning as does a formal garden
Ruth Dean, my grandmother and Landscape Architect, 1917
It's as true today as it was a hundred years ago. Whether it is a place to relax, a wildlife garden, all year round colour, scent, sound and texture, a striking contemporary design, growing food, play areas for children, or making the garden easier to manage, I aim to create a garden which is right for you.
Your garden should give you moments where time stands still, where you are caught by scent or softly blowing grasses and flowers. it's a place to relax with a coffee, entertain, stroll, watch your plants grow and come into blossom and fruit or even pull out some weeds, dig, prune and forget about day to day stresses. Paradise is seen as a garden in the Islamic world for good reasons. Gardens should be part of the solution to environmental problems and be wonderfully enjoyable.
Do you have a square of green and would like a some help with it? Perhaps your garden was lovely 10 years ago but has got a bit out of hand. Maybe you need something a bit easier to manage. How much time you have to look after it? Do you need a trampoline or goalposts? Do you want to encourage wildlife or grow your own vegetables and fruit? Every garden should have its own character reflecting the people who live there, and my job is to work with you to make that happen.
First winter snow
Winter is a great time to plan your garden. Time to imagine your dream garden, plan it, plant bare root trees and shrubs ready to grow and blossom in the spring. Planting perennials this spring can give you colour and scent you can enjoy this summer.
Iris
Maybe you'd just like some advice about your garden? Would you like to do something creative or like some help with a problem?
Consultancy
I can visit and discuss your garden and work with you, including advice on trees, shrubs, perennials, style, planting, pruning etc.
I am touched at my clients' appreciation:
Gill, Committee Chair at Unit 12 Community Centre (see Gardens and Inspiration) said 'Esther's attention to detail and design was impressive. The plants and flowers suggested to plant were very attractive.'
Sue from Winchester wrote ' 'It has been a real pleasure working with you, I wish I’d done it before! Having your expertise in designing, researching, sourcing and finally planting the border has been great. I really appreciate the fact that you have carefully listened to what I thought I wanted, then guided me (gently) in the right direction and were very well disposed to using as many of my own suitable existing plants as possible '
Heather from Cornwall said 'Many thanks for your amazing plan. I am so impressed at your professionalism and detailed knowledge.'
Suzanne from Northern Ireland wrote 'Hi Esther, just saw your sketch, it's brilliant'
You may have a large or small space. Here is a design for a tiny courtyard garden. It had a high wall on the southern side, which I have used climbers to soften, provide flowers, colour and scent. It was quite shady, so I had to be careful with plant choice, using plants to brighten it .
Below, my design for a community garden.
Design for a community wildlife garden with space for quiet relaxation. Shrubs and planting between the tables give privacy. Entirely native planting with beautiful plants such as hawthorn, spindle and vetch as well as different lengths of grass for different insects. The pond, inspired by the river Itchen, below, encourages birds, frogs and insects including dragon flies.
