Three Things That Matter When Choosing a Garden Designer

Ian Green
Feb 1
2 min read

Choosing a garden designer isn’t just about liking someone’s style or knowing they “do plants.” It’s about finding the right person to help you shape a space that feels considered, grounded, and genuinely liveable, now and for years to come.

Here are three things worth paying attention to.

1. Their Design Ethos

Every designer brings their own rhythm. Some lean architectural, others more naturalistic. Some prioritise wildlife and ecology, other’s structure and clean lines.

Contemporary garden with water rill cascading into a rill, and formal planting

You don’t need to have it all figured out, that’s what the design process is for. But when you look at their work, you should feel something settle.

Ask yourself:

• Do their gardens feel like places you’d actually use?

• Can you imagine their style sitting well with your home?

• Do they make space for people, not just plants?

A good designer doesn’t impose a signature look. They listen, adapt, and design with you, not at you.

2. How the Garden Designer Works with You

Garden design isn’t a product. It’s a process. A good one should leave you feeling clear, not overwhelmed.

Designer and client with small dog on her lap, discussing her ideal garden.

You’re looking for someone who:

• Listens before they sketch

• Explains things plainly, without jargon

• Keeps you involved without handing you the reins

• Offers clear next steps, timeframes, and costs

It’s not about handing over control. It’s about having someone thoughtful and steady beside you - guiding, clarifying, and making sure things don’t get lost along the way.

3. What They Know Beneath the Surface

Design that looks good in a photo is one thing. Design that actually works through seasons, storms, budgets and builds, is another.

Look for signs of practical fluency:

Garden with seating area in raised terrace, surrounded by lush planting and a covered pergola.

• Do they understand levels, drainage, materials, and construction?

• Can they produce clear, buildable plans?

• Are they thinking ahead to maintenance and long-term use?

• Do they collaborate well with landscapers and trades?

Much of this expertise remains unseen, yet it underpins everything that allows a garden to endure - its visual appeal, its structural integrity, and its capacity to grow well over

time.