About Us
Building gardens that honour both tradition and ecology
Our Story
We started in 2003 with a simple observation: most commercial gardening services either focused purely on aesthetics or treated outdoor spaces as problems to be managed rather than opportunities to be explored. There seemed to be little middle ground between heavily manicured formal gardens and completely wild areas left to their own devices.
Our founder had spent years working on historic estates and nature reserves, learning both traditional horticultural techniques and modern ecological principles. That combination of knowledge suggested a different approach was possible, one that valued design and biodiversity equally.
The first few projects were small residential gardens where clients wanted something more interesting than lawn and bedding plants but weren't sure what. We experimented with native plant palettes, structural evergreens, and letting certain areas develop more naturally whilst keeping others tidy. The results convinced us we were onto something.
Over the years, the work has become more varied. We've designed productive kitchen gardens, restored Victorian walled gardens, created wildlife corridors through urban areas, and advised on conservation grazing management. Each project teaches us something new about working with plants and place.
What hasn't changed is the core principle: gardens should be places where human creativity and natural processes enhance each other rather than competing. When that balance is right, you get spaces that mature beautifully and support far more life than conventional landscapes.
What Guides Our Work
Ecological Responsibility
Every design decision considers its impact on soil health, water cycles, and wildlife habitat. We see gardens as part of larger ecosystems rather than isolated decorative features.
Practical Expertise
Theory matters, but so does hands-on experience. Our team knows how plants actually perform in British conditions because we've grown them, not just read about them.
Long-Term Thinking
We design for how gardens will develop over decades, not just how they look at installation. This means considering mature plant sizes, soil improvement, and seasonal succession.
Client Collaboration
You live in the space, so your needs and preferences shape everything we do. Our job is to translate your vision into practical reality whilst offering honest guidance.
Honest Communication
We explain what's realistic for your site, budget, and maintenance capacity. If something won't work well in your conditions, we'll say so and suggest alternatives.
Continuous Learning
Horticulture and ecology are living fields. We stay current with research, attend specialist training, and share knowledge within the team.
Our Team
We're a group of horticulturists, ecologists, and landscape professionals who share a common interest in creating gardens that work with natural systems. Everyone brings different specialisms, from soil science to historic garden restoration to native plant propagation.
Emma Richardson
Founding Director
Emma trained at RHS Wisley before working on several National Trust properties. She leads our design work and specialises in historic garden restoration and herbaceous planting.
Thomas Keller
Senior Horticulturist
With a background in commercial fruit growing and permaculture, Thomas oversees our productive garden projects and manages our plant propagation programme.
Sarah Chen
Ecological Consultant
Sarah holds a degree in conservation biology and brings scientific rigour to our habitat creation work. She conducts site surveys and develops management plans for sensitive areas.
David Okafor
Head of Maintenance
David coordinates our ongoing care services and trains the maintenance team in organic practices. His eye for seasonal timing keeps our gardens looking their best year-round.
Rachel Moore
Project Manager
Rachel ensures projects run smoothly from first meeting to final handover. Her background in landscape construction means she understands both the practical and administrative sides.
James Whitmore
Arboriculturist
James is our tree specialist, handling everything from planting and formative pruning to health assessments and veteran tree care on larger properties.
Key Milestones
Company Founded
Started offering ecological garden design services in the Cotswolds region.
First Conservation Project
Commissioned to restore a degraded wetland area, establishing our reputation in habitat work.
Team Expansion
Grew from three to twelve staff members, adding specialist expertise in ecology and arboriculture.
Award Recognition
Received commendation from the Royal Horticultural Society for innovative native planting design.
Educational Programme Launch
Began offering workshops and training sessions on sustainable gardening practices.
Twentieth Anniversary
Celebrated two decades of projects with over 850 gardens designed and maintained.
How We've Developed
The gardening industry has changed considerably since we started. Climate change is affecting plant performance and pest patterns. Public awareness of biodiversity loss has grown. Native plants have moved from niche interest to mainstream acceptance.
We've adapted our methods in response. We now factor in increased summer drought when selecting plants. Our designs incorporate more climate-resilient species whilst still prioritising native options where they're appropriate. We've developed expertise in green infrastructure techniques like rain gardens and permeable paving that help manage water sustainably.
At the same time, we've become more selective about the projects we take on. We focus on work where our particular skills add real value rather than trying to be all things to all people. This usually means gardens where ecology and aesthetics both matter, or where there's some complexity that benefits from specialist knowledge.
Our client relationships have deepened too. Many people we worked with fifteen years ago still engage us for ongoing maintenance or new projects. These long-term connections let us see how gardens mature and refine our understanding of what works in different conditions.
Professional Memberships and Accreditations
Royal Horticultural Society
Multiple team members hold RHS qualifications and we maintain professional membership.
Arboricultural Association
Our tree work meets AA technical standards and our arborists hold relevant certifications.
Chartered Institute of Horticulture
Several team members are chartered horticulturists, maintaining continuing professional development.
Garden Organic
Certified in organic growing practices and contributors to their advisory network.
Landscape Institute
Our design approach aligns with LI standards for landscape planning and environmental management.
Wildlife Trusts
Active supporters and occasional collaborators on habitat creation projects.
Looking Ahead
The gardens we create now will still be developing in 2050 and beyond. That's both humbling and energising. It pushes us to think carefully about resilience, adaptability, and ecological function alongside immediate visual impact.
We're particularly interested in how gardens can contribute to urban cooling, stormwater management, and wildlife corridors, functions that will become increasingly important as climate pressures grow. There's exciting work happening at the intersection of horticulture and environmental science that we're keen to incorporate.
At the same time, we remain committed to the craft aspects of gardening: understanding plant combinations, developing soil, creating compositions that work across seasons. Technology and ecological science inform our work, but the fundamental satisfaction comes from seeing living systems flourish.
Work With Us
If our approach resonates with you, we'd be happy to discuss your project.
Get in Touch