More than a tidy-up, less than a big redesign
Lots of gardens fall in between. The borders have got tired, or it’s never quite come together, and you’d love it to feel like a proper garden again. A gardener will keep it tidy, but won’t really change it. A full garden design can run into thousands, take months and turn the garden into a building site, which is a lot for a garden like yours.
That’s the gap I work in. I come and see your garden, work out with you what it could be, then clear it, plan the planting and plant it all myself. It usually takes about three days, and costs a fraction of a full design.
Usually, one person designs a garden and someone else plants it, and things get lost in between.
I plan it, and I plant it
One person from start to finish, so what we agree is exactly what goes in the ground.
Usually, a garden gets worked out at a desk, from photos and measurements, over weeks.
I work it out in your garden
Standing in it, with you, looking at the light, the soil and how you actually use it.
Usually, a tired garden gets stripped back and started again.
I keep what’s already good
Every garden has more to give. I start with what’s special about yours and build from there.
This is the way I’ve come to work, after years of learning from brilliant gardeners and designers.
Three days, three steps
Each step is there to fix something that usually goes wrong when a garden gets redone.
Clear
Most tired gardens aren’t beyond saving. They’re just crowded.
I clear what’s tired or overgrown, keep what’s worth keeping, and get the ground ready.
Design
It’s hard to picture new planting, and costly if it turns out wrong.
I draw up a planting plan and show you how it will look before anything is bought. Then I choose every plant at the nursery myself.
Plant
A good plan can still go wrong in the planting.
I plant it all in myself, mulch and water it, and leave you notes on how to look after it as it settles.
What you’ll have at the end
A finished, planted garden, and everything you need to understand it and look after it.
Every garden gets its own 3D model to walk round, like the ones below.
Recent gardens
Garden design
A family garden
A garden with a kitchen garden, a cabin and a lower lawn, designed and then modelled in 3D, so it could be seen from every angle, and in every season, before anything was built.
Planting refresh
A back garden with tired borders
Fifteen new plants across five borders, keeping what the owner loved: the olive tree, the roses, the lavender and the peony. They could walk round it in 3D and see every plant before anything was bought.
What clients say
5 out of 5 from every review on Bark. Read them all
“Hetty spent 1.5 days completely turning my garden around from a neglected expanse to a neat, tidy and ready-for-winter. … Exceptional talent, fair price and a delight to have around.”
“She looked at what needed to be done and after discussing it with me got straight on with the job and within two days had cleared what seemed like a wilderness and now looks like my garden again!”
“Excellent, cleared garden, which now looks great. On a horrible wet day, she just got on with it!”
“Even now I can contact her if I have a question and she is more than happy to help.”
Questions
How long does it take?
Typically about three days, start to finish: one to clear, one to plan the planting with you and choose the plants, and one to plant it all in. Bigger or trickier gardens can take a little longer, and I’ll tell you before we start.
Do I need to know what I want?
No. You don’t need a finished brief before getting in touch. Often, working out what the garden needs is the first part of the process.
Will you keep plants I love?
Yes. I start with what’s already special about your garden, and keep anything worth keeping.
Who buys the plants?
I do. Once we’ve agreed the plan, I choose every plant myself at the nursery, so nothing is bought until you’re happy.
Can you help with an overgrown garden?
Yes. Established and overgrown gardens are often some of the most interesting to work with, because there may already be mature plants, structure and character worth keeping.
Do you offer garden maintenance?
My focus is on improving, developing and rejuvenating gardens rather than routine maintenance such as regular mowing or general upkeep.
What about bigger projects?
For larger gardens, or work with new paths, walls or patios, let’s talk. I can help with a fuller design.
What areas do you cover?
I’m based in East Devon and work across the surrounding area, including Honiton, Axminster, Seaton, Lyme Regis and nearby villages.
Book a visit
Tell me a little about your garden. I’ll get back to you to arrange a time to come and see it.
I cover Honiton, Axminster, Seaton, Lyme Regis and the villages nearby. Or email me at info@hettyhenley.com.
Thank you
I’ve got your details. I keep an eye on my inbox, so I’ll be in touch soon to arrange a visit.