kitchen garden

Discerning designs, harmonising with nature

We believe well designed gardens should strengthen our connection to home and nature.

By crafting unique spaces that sit beautifully in the landscape and link strongly to the house and those who share it, we foster a sense of place that encourages presence, engagement and expresses personality.

Projects

Inspiration

Coppiced hazel, early summer, Sissinghurst

Lush shady quiet spot, floor bathed in dappled light, bulbs and spring flowering herbaceous plants give way to foliage and ferns as canopy closes

Image: Early summer walk through coppiced hazel ‘nuttery’. Textured ground cover tapestry of ferns and cranesbill                                                                                   NT Sissinghurst, Kent

Woodland Garden

Mediterranean Dry Planting

Holiday from home, gravel beds and paths intermingle. Spiky forms and soft stipa grasses, summer scents of lavender and jasmine float on gentle breeze

Image: Cistus, salvias and sisyrinchiums in Med section of Paradise Garden designed by Tom Stuart Smith,    RHS Bridgewater, Greater Manchester

Meadows and Wildflowers

Dazzling annual pictorial floral display or naturalistic perennial ecosystem, flowering grasses dance in patterns, bees and butterflies delight

Image: Pictorial Meadows annual seed mix with central urn focal point and standard roses.  A client had asked the unused veg plot be turned over to turf so we suggested this flower meadow instead.  They love the long season of interest and wildlife it attracts.                                                    Warrington, Cheshire

Testimonials

As Head Gardener at a public garden, I hired Bob as a landscape designer for a project that would transform a pasture into a wildflower meadow with a boardwalk. From our first meeting, Bob’s ability to listen, understand the brief, and collaborate created a strong sense of excitement and direction.

He carefully analysed the site’s challenging conditions—wet, undulating ground—and led a biodiversity survey with volunteers. Bob researched key factors such as wheelchair accessibility, livestock access, and material suitability, offering designs that balanced creativity with practical considerations.

His designs were original, integrating elements from the site and gardens and included a detailed planting plan for vibrant, season-long interest in the wet, acid soil that would blend out to harmonise with the surrounding parkland.  Bob’s thoroughness and responsiveness to feedback made the design process smooth and aligned with our vision.

I highly recommend Bob for his deep understanding of gardens, creativity, and forward-thinking approach to design.

Emma H, NT Hare Hill, Alderley Edge

We couldn’t use our sloping grass laid garden for anything due to the 6ft height difference from one end to the other. I always wanted to grow vegetables and thought maybe we could get some planter boxes in there. We gave Bob free rein and his vision was brought to life in a spectacular kitchen garden, with structures, wild flowers, beds for veggies. The garden is used every day and it’s a privilege to have it.

Nicola R, Disley

I have been impressed by Bob’s commitment and energy, and his obvious pleasure in succeeding with plants and shrubs. Using his gentle and clear approach, he discusses and explains issues clearly, and inspires confidence.

Hugh T, Sale

Design Process

1. Initial Consultation

Our journey together begins with a relaxed consultation, where we’ll take the time to walk through your garden and really get to know you. This is your opportunity to share your vision, preferences, and any specific requirements or challenges you have in mind. Whether it’s creating a space for entertaining, designing a peaceful sanctuary, incorporating vibrant colours, attracting wildlife, enhancing opportunities for play or enhancing views—we’ll make sure to understand every aspect of your ideal outdoor space.
We’ll listen closely to your aspirations and concerns, using this to craft a detailed client brief, which we’ll send to you for review. This ensures we’ve captured all your ideas and gives you a chance to refine the vision. Along with the brief, we’ll provide a formal proposal, including the project fee and a clear outline of the next steps in the design process.

2. Survey and Site Analysis

To move forward, we’ll conduct a thorough survey of your space. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, we’ll either handle this ourselves or recommend a trusted professional surveyor to ensure all aspects of your garden are carefully measured and analyzed.

3. Concept Design

This is where the fun begins! We’ll create mood boards to explore your design preferences, helping to fine-tune the style, materials, and atmosphere that resonate with you. From there, we’ll let our creativity take over, generating fresh, innovative ideas that align with your vision. These concepts will be presented through sketches, accompanied by photo examples of materials, planting, and design features, so you can get a clear sense of how your dream garden will look and feel. We’ll work with you to refine the design until it’s exactly what you want, ensuring that we’re on the same page before moving to the final design phase.

4. Masterplan and Construction Drawings

Once you’re delighted with the concept, we’ll develop a detailed masterplan, including scale drawings, construction details, and specifications. These comprehensive plans provide contractors with everything they need to accurately price and build your new garden.

5. Planting Plans

Our planting plans are carefully crafted to reflect your aesthetic vision while also considering the broader ecological health of your garden. Building on our earlier conversations, we’ll select plants that not only look beautiful but also support wildlife throughout the seasons.  We’ll choose plants that are well-suited to your garden’s climate and conditions to ensure it is environmentally sustainable and easier to maintain.

We take pride in designing gardens that thrive year-round, offering vibrant colours, varied textures, and seasonal interest, while supporting biodiversity. Whether you're looking for lush, fragrant flowers, robust foliage, or trees and shrubs as screening or to frame a vista, our planting schemes are designed to be as beautiful as they are beneficial.

We can also supply and plant the chosen species, ensuring that every plant is placed for maximum effect, beauty, and ecological benefit.

6. Tender and Construction

When it’s time to bring your design to life, we can help you find trusted, experienced landscapers to execute the build. If desired, we can also coordinate site visits to liaise directly with contractors and oversee the construction process, ensuring that everything is being built to specification.

7. Planting Establishment and Aftercare

If we’ve provided and planted the greenery, we’ll offer expert aftercare guidance to ensure your new plants thrive. This includes a follow-up visit within three months to check on their health and provide any necessary adjustments or support.

Services

Full Garden Design
Planting Design
Consultancy

Locations

South Manchester and Cheshire including:

Didsbury, Chorlton, Sale, Heatons, Hale, Altrincham, Wilmslow, Alderley, Disley, Marple, Poynton