Lucy Hartley BSc (Hons), PGCE, FdSc,
Lucy Hartley began her professional life as a secondary school science teacher and taught for seven years before starting a family. Lucy's mother is a keen gardener, as was her grandmother and Lucy has followed in their footsteps. She has always enjoyed art as a hobby. On returning to work Lucy chose to combine these interests and re-train as a garden designer.
"As a teacher I would add doodles to the blackboard at every opportunity and my labs were covered in flowers drawn by students. Being creative and 'green' is something that has always been with me."
An artistic eye, horticultural and design knowledge enables Lucy to find aesthetic solutions to all manner of garden problems. Her work will be inspired by subjects or images which are loved by the client. Each client is treated as an individual and Lucy endeavours to understand their tastes and requirements fully in order to finely tune every design.
Design History - Public Spaces
Parkridge Centre, Solihull
2015. A much looked upon space next to the Visitor Centre and Cafe in Parkridge Nature Reserve, Brueton Park, Solihull was redesigned by Lucy and planted up by committed volunteers and corporate groups. The new planting will increase diversity and provide more colour, nectar and pollen through the growing season with seed heads for birds in mid winter. Apart from a handful of large shrubs, the planting is all herbaceous for ease of management - one cut before the spring kicks in each year. Lucy also collected salvage and built the Habitat wall which can be seen from the outdoor seating area by the Cafe.
Brandon Marsh, Coventry
2010 - 2012 Lucy designed and was involved in the construction of the new Sensory Garden at Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve for the Warickshire Wildlife Trust near Coventry.
RHS Shows
Lucy has experience of exhibiting at three RHS shows and has won awards for her involvement (including design and build) in the exhibits:
Private Spaces
Lucy set up the 'Flower bed Planning Service' in 2006 and in 2008 expanded her services - now known as 'Lucy Hartley Gardens' - to incorporate full garden design after being awarded a Foundation Degree with Distinction from Warwickshire College
.
In 2005 Lucy assisted in a garden makeover for ITV ('House of Horrors') where she co-arranged and planted two borders.
Lucy has been working in gardens in the Stratford and Warwick area professionally for over ten years and as a volunteer for longer. See the Portfolio for examples of her work.
All photographs on this website were taken by Lucy Hartley, Andy Hartley or Emma Hartley.
Product and Liability insured. Member of the Royal Horticultural Society, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Wildlife Gardening Forum and the Cottage Garden Society.