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Garden Design and landscaping service

ABOUT OUR SERVICES

Firstly, Lisa arranges an initial session with clients to listen to their requirements and give expert advice on all their garden issues. Depending on what is required, this will normally include advice about what plants are ideal for your garden and how best to care for them.

Following this, the details of your garden or landscape plan will be agreed.

Lisa will then carefully prepare you a hand-drawn, coloured garden plan which will be sent to you for review.

At this stage, you will be able to request changes before the plan is finalised.

Once complete, the final hand-drawn plan will be sent to you for implementation. If you wish you can then take advanage of our Procurement servcie to arrange quotes from contractors and supply plants at wholesale prices (see below).

Our garden & landscape planning service includes a site visit and detailed advice. Depending on your needs, we can also:

• provide plant lists;
• source and purchase your plants and garden furniture at wholesale prices;
• arrange quotes from contractors (see Procurement Service below).

Procurement Service

Many of our clients want help with finding professional landscapers. Planning Direct, through Lisa, now offers a comprehensive procurement package. We will get quotes from 3 or more local landscapers so you get to pick the landscaper you prefer. Our service includes meeting the landscapers on site with you so they understand the job and so you can see who you like. Their prices are then wriiten up for you so you can pick your preferred landscaper. If you want further assistance during the installation process Lisa can help. The Procurement package starts from £1195 plus VAT plus mileage.

Our 5-step garden design process

A successful garden or landscape plan usually starts with a clear brief, moves through careful site analysis and layout design, and ends with a practical implementation plan. The Royal Horticultural Society’s guidance repeatedly stresses the value of breaking the work into simple stages, assessing the site and soil properly, matching plants to conditions, and planning hard landscaping before planting rather than building a garden piecemeal. 

Step	What happens	Why it matters
1. Vision and goals	We discuss how you want to use the garden, the style you prefer, your priorities, and your budget.	A clear brief helps shape the whole design and ensures the garden suits the house and the way you live.
2. Site assessment	We assess the size, shape, orientation, soil, drainage, microclimate and existing features of the site.	Good design starts with understanding the conditions on the ground, including light, wind, damp and what should be retained.
3. Layout planning	We prepare the overall structure of the garden, including paths, patios, lawns, beds, seating areas and focal points.	A strong layout gives the garden order, usability and visual balance before planting choices are finalised.
4. Plant selection	We choose plants that suit the site conditions, design style and maintenance level you want.	Choosing the right plant for the right place leads to better performance and less wasted effort.
5. Phased implementation	We organise the works in a sensible sequence, typically starting with major hard landscaping and drainage, then soil preparation and planting.	Phasing helps control cost, avoids damage to new planting and makes the project easier to deliver well.

1. Vision and goals

The first stage is to establish the brief. This means understanding how the garden will be used, whether for family living, entertaining, growing food, a lower-maintenance space, wildlife interest or a more formal visual effect. It is also the point at which style, budget and practical priorities should be discussed. The RHS notes that having a plan allows you to think carefully about what you want to achieve and which features the garden needs to accommodate. 

For many clients, this stage is where the design direction becomes clear. A contemporary entertaining garden, a naturalistic wildlife-friendly garden, a structured formal layout or a productive kitchen garden all start with different goals. Setting those goals first helps avoid expensive redesign later. This also matches the existing Planning Direct service approach, where the initial session is used to discuss needs, preferences and advice before the plan is prepared. 

2. Site assessment

Once the brief is clear, the next step is to understand the site properly. RHS guidance advises assessing the site and soil before putting your stamp on a garden and recommends measuring and mapping the garden’s size, shape, layout, existing elements and sunlight patterns. It also advises understanding soil type, wet and dry areas and the garden’s microclimate. 

In practice, this means looking at the garden’s orientation, sunny and shaded areas, exposure to wind, drainage issues, slopes, surrounding buildings, trees, retained features and any awkward boundaries. RHS microclimate guidance specifically recommends assessing surrounding buildings, topography and trees, looking at orientation, identifying sheltered or exposed spots, and checking for low-lying wet areas. 

3. Layout planning

With the site understood, the overall layout can be designed. This is where the structure of the garden is fixed: paths, terraces, lawns, planting beds, screens, raised beds, pergolas, seating areas and focal points. RHS guidance on creating a garden plan says to measure and map the garden, including fixed features and sunlight, while its design information guidance notes that a plan helps you think through both hard landscaping and soft landscaping together. 

This is usually the stage where the garden starts to make practical sense. Circulation routes can be improved, usable spaces can be defined, and awkward areas can be turned into assets. A clear layout also helps clients visualise the finished design before materials and planting are finalised. 

4. Plant selection

Plant selection should come after the layout has been set, not before. The RHS advises getting to know soil type and moisture levels so you can choose the right plant for the right place, and its microclimate guidance shows why sun, shade, shelter and exposure must be factored in as well. 

In practical terms, this means selecting plants for the actual conditions of the site rather than simply choosing favourites in isolation. It also means thinking about seasonal interest, texture, structure, maintenance and wildlife value. RHS rain-garden guidance, for example, recommends using wetter-tolerant plants in wetter positions, choosing plants with seasonal interest, and laying plants out in their containers according to a plan before final planting. 

5. Phased implementation

The final stage is delivery. A good design is not just a drawing; it also needs to be implemented in the right order. RHS guidance on new-build gardens and modern/minimal gardens recommends sorting out the design and major hard landscaping first, then planting, rather than building the garden bit by bit. RHS drainage guidance also notes that drainage installation is disruptive and is best carried out when ground conditions are drier, typically from late summer to early winter. 

That is why phased implementation is so useful. It allows major works such as levels, drainage, paving, edging and structures to be completed first, followed by soil preparation, planting and finishing touches. It also makes it easier to spread expenditure, programme contractors sensibly and protect new planting from unnecessary disturbance. 

Why this step-by-step approach works

A staged approach helps ensure the final design is attractive, practical and suited to the site. It reduces the risk of choosing unsuitable plants, overlooking drainage or access problems, or treating planting and hard landscaping as separate decisions when they should be designed together. It also fits well with your current service model of consultation, plan preparation, review and implementation support. 

Popular garden layouts and how to choose the right one

Every garden is different, so the best layout depends on the size and shape of the plot, how you want to use it, and how much maintenance you are prepared to take on. Some clients want symmetry and structure, others want a softer, more natural look, and some need a layout that is practical for food growing or easy movement. The comparison below is a practical summary based on RHS guidance on formal, modern/minimal and naturalistic planting, Illinois Extension guidance on keyhole gardens, and specialist kitchen-garden design guidance on twin gardens. See more advice on this from the RHS here.

Garden layout	Best for	Key features	Typical use case
Twin garden layout	Wider or deeper back gardens, especially where clients want balance and enclosure	Two matching beds or planted areas, usually arranged symmetrically with a central path or focal point	A productive kitchen garden, ornamental edible garden, or a balanced family garden layout
Keyhole garden layout	Small spaces, edible gardens, sustainable growing, and clients who want efficient use of water and compost	Usually circular or curved raised bed with a notch for access and a central compost basket	Compact vegetable or herb garden where practicality and productivity matter most
Formal garden layout	Traditional homes, structured spaces, front gardens, and clients who want order and symmetry	Clear floor plan, geometric lines, symmetry, focal points, repeated planting, clipped structure	Elegant entertaining spaces, classic lawn-and-border layouts, or gardens designed to complement period properties
Naturalistic garden layout	Wildlife-friendly gardens, softer family spaces, larger borders, and clients who prefer a looser planted look	Informal drifts, layered planting, grasses and perennials, softer curves and a more relaxed feel	Pollinator-friendly gardens, sensory gardens, and gardens that blend into the surrounding landscape
Contemporary garden layout	Courtyards, modern homes, low-clutter gardens and clients seeking a clean, architectural feel	Strong lines, restrained palette, repeated forms, limited materials, simple planting blocks	Stylish outdoor rooms, entertaining spaces, and gardens designed to feel calm and uncluttered

Twin garden layouts

A twin garden layout uses two matching or near-matching beds or planted zones to create balance and a sense of enclosure. Gardenary describes the twin garden as a simple paired-bed layout that works especially well where a plot is deeper than it is wide, or wider than it is deep, and notes that it can create more interest than a single isolated bed. This can be a very good choice for clients who want a productive but attractive kitchen garden, a symmetrical ornamental layout, or a garden that feels professionally designed without becoming too formal. You can read more about this style here.

Twin gardens are often a good fit where:

• you want a central path or walkway between two planted areas;
• you want symmetry without the full formality of a classical design;
• you want to combine edible planting with ornament;
• you have a rectangular plot that needs more structure.

Keyhole garden layouts

A keyhole garden is a raised-bed layout, often circular, with a notch cut into it so that the centre can be reached easily. Illinois Extension explains that the centre usually contains a compost basket, allowing water and nutrients to feed the surrounding bed as organic matter breaks down. This makes keyhole gardens especially useful for compact edible gardens, sustainable growing, and clients who want to make efficient use of space, compost and water. 

Keyhole gardens are often a good fit where:

• space is limited;
• the main aim is growing herbs, salad or vegetables;
• ease of access is important;
• clients want a garden with a strong practical and sustainable function.

Formal garden layouts

The RHS explains that formal gardens are built around balanced symmetry, a clear floor plan and a geometric structure, often organised around a central feature. This makes them particularly well suited to traditional houses, front gardens, courtyards and spaces where the client wants a sense of order, elegance and permanence. Formal layouts can still work in smaller urban gardens, provided the geometry is kept simple and the planting is disciplined. Read more about formal garden styles from the RHS here.  

Formal gardens are often a good fit where:

• the property has traditional or period character;
• the client wants symmetry, order and a clear visual framework;
• the garden needs strong year-round structure;
• features such as straight paths, clipped hedges, topiary or a central focal point are desired.

Naturalistic garden layouts

For clients who prefer a softer and more relaxed look, a naturalistic layout can work very well. RHS guidance on prairie-style planting notes that mixtures of grasses and flowering perennials create a relaxed, naturalistic feel, and that this effect can be achieved even in smaller gardens. Informal drifts, repeated planting groups and gentler shapes tend to work better here than rigid geometry. This style often suits wildlife-friendly gardens, sensory gardens, and spaces intended to feel immersive and less manicured. 

Naturalistic gardens are often a good fit where:

• the aim is a softer, more ecological look;
• pollinator-friendly or wildlife-supporting planting is a priority;
• the garden should blend into a wider landscape setting;
• the client prefers movement, texture and seasonal change over strict formality.

Contemporary garden layouts

The RHS describes modern and minimal garden design as ideal for clients who like sharp, clean lines, repeated patterns, limited colour palettes and a clutter-free feel. It also notes that this style can work in both small courtyards and larger spaces. Contemporary layouts are therefore often the best choice for modern houses, town gardens, entertaining spaces and clients who want an outdoor room with a calm, architectural character. 

Contemporary gardens are often a good fit where:

• the property has a modern or recently extended design;
• the client wants a clean and uncluttered outdoor space;
• materials such as stone, timber, steel or rendered planters are preferred;
• the garden is intended to feel like an extension of the house.

Which garden layout is right for your property?

In practice, many successful gardens combine more than one approach. For example, a layout might use the symmetry of a formal plan, the softer planting of a naturalistic garden, and the clean detailing of a contemporary scheme. Equally, a productive family garden might use a twin layout for structure while incorporating edible beds, seating and ornamental planting. The right answer is not simply about fashion; it is about how the garden will be used, how it relates to the house, and how much maintenance the client wants to take on. 

RECENT GARDEN AND LANDSCAPE PLANS

Take a look at how some of Lisa’s recent clients have transformed their gardens with her plans.

Gallery of landscape plans

A selection of recent landscape design plans.

GET IN TOUCH ABOUT YOUR GARDEN

Want to talk about your garden needs or request a landscape plan for your domestic or commercial project? Then please call us on 01473 407911 or get in touch using the button below.

Our initial advice is always free of charge and we’ll take the time to discuss your needs in detail before a price or a plan of action is agreed.

Our prices start from £750 plus VAT for a comprehensive garden planning service including:

• site visit with advice
• hand-drawn landscape plan, including hard landscaping as required.
• Revisions to the plan are charged at £75 plus VAT per hour.

We also offer bespoke planning and planting packages designed to save you time and money on plants and planting. Our relationships with wholesalers mean we are able to source quality plants at reduced prices. We can arrange both delivery and planting of your new plants, in accordance with your hand-drawn landscape plan.

We can also arrange through our new Procurement Service for three or more quality, local landscapers to provide you with no-obligation quotes for garden works such as new patios, retaining walls and steps. Prices start at £1195 plus VAT plus mileage for this service.

For everything garden – from designing and sourcing to purchasing and planting – get in touch with Planning Direct today. We can do it all.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in your garden and landscape planning service?
Planning Direct’s garden and landscape service includes an initial discussion of your needs, a site visit with advice, and a hand-drawn coloured garden or landscape plan. Depending on the brief, the service can also include plant lists, hard landscaping input, and optional help with implementation. 

Who provides the garden design service?
The service is delivered through Lisa Stevens, described on the page as an award-winning landscape designer with horticultural training. The page says she works for private homeowners, landscapers and developers, and can also provide solutions for commercial sites. 

Will I receive a draft plan and be able to request changes?
Yes. The page explains that a hand-drawn, coloured plan is first sent to the client for review, and changes can be requested before the plan is finalised and issued for implementation. 

Can you help source plants, furniture and contractors?
Yes. The page states that Planning Direct can provide plant lists, source and purchase plants and garden furniture, and arrange quotes from contractors. It also says the procurement service can obtain quotes from 3 or more local landscapers and includes on-site meetings with them. 

How much does the garden planning service cost?
The page says prices start from £750 plus VAT for a comprehensive garden planning service including a site visit with advice and a hand-drawn landscape plan including hard landscaping as required. It also says revisions are charged at £75 plus VAT per hour. 

How much is the procurement service?
The page states that the procurement package starts from £1,195 plus VAT plus mileage and includes arranging quotes from three or more local landscapers and helping the client compare them. 

Can a garden or landscape plan support a planning application or appeal?
Yes. Your page includes a case study where a bespoke garden plan was prepared to support an appeal after permission had been refused on the basis that the gardens were considered undersized. That makes this a sensible FAQ for the service page. 

Do I need planning permission for garden works?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Some works within the curtilage of a house can fall within householder permitted development rights, but the rules are technical and depend on the type of work, the site, and whether all limitations and conditions are met. Government guidance says that where there is any doubt, advice should be sought from the local planning authority, and a lawful development certificate can be used to confirm lawfulness. 

Can outbuildings, garden rooms, pools and hard surfaces be permitted development?
Often they can, but only within specific limits. The GPDO’s Class E covers incidental buildings, enclosures and pools in the curtilage of a dwellinghouse, subject to restrictions such as coverage, siting and height. Class F covers hard surfaces, with special drainage conditions where a front hard surface over 5 square metres is created between the principal elevation and a highway. Read more about permitted development here or use our own pages on permitted development for easy to read guidance.

What about trees in conservation areas or trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order?
Tree works need particular care. Government guidance says that works to trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order normally require the local planning authority’s consent. For trees in a conservation area that are not already protected by a TPO, a section 211 notice is normally required 6 weeks before certain works are carried out. Read more about Tree Conservation here.

Do permitted development rights remove the need for building regulations or other consents?
No. Government guidance says permitted development rights do not remove the need for permissions or consents under other regimes, and GOV.UK also states that building regulations approval is different from planning permission and you might need both. 

Should I get a lawful development certificate before carrying out garden works?
If the proposal sits near the edge of permitted development limits, it is often sensible to do so. Government guidance says anyone can apply to the local planning authority for a decision on whether a proposed development would be lawful, and that once granted under section 192 it confirms the proposal is lawful for planning purposes unless there is a material change before works begin.