Services
Consultation or Drop in Chat
The best way to start outdoor space improvement is by arranging a Drop in Chat, £60, or Consultation, £120, for an hour* - plus a mileage charge if long distance. This is refundable against future design plans. With either, Lucy will visit the garden (or part of garden) with the client and discuss any problems or queries the client may have regarding design or planting. This may involve one or several of the common issues given below. Lucy is completely adaptable to the clients needs and will help in whichever way is most suited to the client. The visit is the end of a Drop in Chat, but following a Consultation, a letter will be sent, listing further advice/recommendations. This might be a sketch overlay with initial ideas or a broad action plan, for example. Please note that you will not get a new Design for the price of a Consultation.
The Invoice for a Drop in Chat or Consultation is to be paid on the day of the visit.
A visit to discuss a Project and Quote is free of course, but advice is restricted.
*If the visit is likely to need more than an hour, please let Lucy know in advance and charges can be adapted to suit.
Consultation Vouchers make excellent gifts for loved ones and friends.
New Design
Creating a new garden with hard and soft landscaping requires careful planning at the outset and clear communication between client and designer. The full process is outlined in detail in 'Design Process'. The extent of help Lucy can offer is tailor made according to the clients needs. Often it is just getting something on paper to show the client's chosen landscaper, other times a client will want Lucy involved from the start to completion - and be on hand for checks and advice into the future.
Wildlife in your Garden
Consideration to British native wildlife is very much a talking point these days. The research Lucy has done for past projects with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust ; see Sensory Garden and The Parkridge Centre and Talks centred around gardening for wildlife; see 'Not just my Garden' and 'Gardening with Wildlife in Mind' as well as a personal keen interest makes her well equipped to give advice on how to nurture the Wildlife in and passing through a garden, while keeping a keen eye on good Design.
Rejuvenation
Making the best of your existing garden. Maybe it has suffered neglect, or just needs some small changes? You may have recently moved in (see 'Front Garden 2') or are planning to sell. Pruning an overgrown garden or garden area with an artistic eye can change an eyesore into an asset. A gardener such as Lucy, trained in design and creative pruning will produce a more aesthetic finish. Some shrubs can be cut right down or re-shaped in order to give them new life when they have outgrown their space. Lucy can advise on what can be saved and what should be replaced. Maybe the borders need re-shaping ? Perhaps the garden looks great in certain months, but there are times when it is very bleak and could do with a lift? Lucy will offer you solutions which are specific to your site and needs.
Maintenance or Management Advice
The client may love their garden as it is, but without the gardening knowledge or experience is having trouble keeping it looking its best. Lucy can identify plants and draw up a 'Maintenance/Management Calendar' specifically for the site. This would give an easy to follow, month by month list of tasks with relvant tools and procedures described. Photos of specific plants for identification purposes can be included on request. An accompanying key to where to find what in your garden may be included if necessary.
A basic, laminated Calendar costs from £45 (eg £45 for roughly a 15m x 15m garden)
Planting Guide or Plan
Clients who are happy with the layout of their existing garden but would like to improve the planting can be helped to create a Designer look with a Plant Guide drawn up by Lucy. This is a roughly to scale drawing of the relevant area labelling existing plants to keep and marking out areas of new planting. New plants are suggested with guidance for best selection depending on your local availability. Advice on quantity and location is given but the detail is more fluid and less precise than on a Planting Plan. A Planting Plan is scale drawn and lists the precise quantity and named variety of each plant used.
General Garden Advice
Lucy can help with all aspects of design and gardening. For example, a client may wish to set up a composting system to increase the sustainability of their garden or add a small pond (see 'Small Pond'), but are not sure how to set about the project. When and how to prune existing shrubs may be a mystery to the client. Where more specialist knowledge is required Lucy may be able to put the client in touch with a professional in that field.
Creative Pruning
As part of the Rejuvenation process Lucy will spot and advise on how to make the most of your existing mature plants. Hedges and certain evergreen shrubs are often underperforming as far as contribution to the 'garden picture' is concerned. Some examples of Lucy's work can be seen in the Gallery (see 'Creative Pruning'). Young plants can be shaped fairly easily but more mature plants will take a few years to grow into their new shape. Lucy can guide the client on what to do or return visits can be booked in until the new shape is established and maintenance is just a matter of trimming.
Unique Wall
As much an art installation as a stone wildlife habitat, Lucy builds unique and whimsical walls out of salvage. Lucy is always delighted to take commisions to build - but is equally happy to guide a client to create their own. Walls are made using a lime mortar. The lime allows the mortar some flexibility to accomodate the mixed response to weather which salvage from a variety of materials will have. The cost will depend on the project. As a guide, a cavity filled wall similar to the one at Parkridge Centre shown here, would cost roughly £900/sqm; the low, retaining wall at Brandon Marsh roughly £90/m.
Talk with Slideshow
Climate Change and Our Gardens
Designing a Border from Scratch I
Designing a Border from Scratch II
Designing a Border from Scratch III
Gardening with Wildlife in Mind
Not just my Garden
Garden Talks last approximately one hour and are charged at £100 plus mileage for dates from 2024. Lucy has her own projector and laptop but will need a screen or wall to project on to. All Talks can be delivered remotely by Zoom or other online meeting tool.
Budget
Estimates and quotations are free and there is no obligation to proceed. Lucy is happy to visit to put together a Quote if the job is clearly defined otherwise a Drop in Chat or Consultation is recommended. The prices given will have a description of everything that is included within them so that it is clear exactly what is being paid for.
Please note that any Design - however rudimentary - will cost more than £120.
