The terms landscape designer and garden designer are often interchangeable but in the context of this article, we are using the term landscape designer to identify a qualified designer with extensive experience and knowledge in both horticulture and hard landscaping design and techniques. A landscape designer has the in-house resources to implement these designs to the highest level. A landscape designer uses a palette of hard and soft landscaping elements to create and build imaginative, beautiful and uniquely tailored experiences. This is different from some Garden Designers whose knowledge, experience and resources are limited to planting designs and smaller less sophisticated landscaping projects. Here we look at the top five reasons to hire a landscape designer.

1. Not just a planting designer

Landscape designers are experienced and skilled in implementing many different design techniques and materials, ensuring each unique component is thought through both functionally and aesthetically. They have the knowledge and expertise to ensure building materials and planting, work together to create atmospheric functional living spaces extending from inside to out. A multifaceted approach is taken, combining each design element from hard landscaping, horticultural planting, lighting design and drainage, all into one unique, stunning and beautiful garden design.

2. Creativity married with experienced execution

The second reason for choosing a landscape designer is that having a garden designer with control and experience over every aspect of the design project means everything is designed as a whole package to create an outstanding bespoke design and build finish. Hiring garden designers with little or limited connection to the landscaping project could lead to the final design being a poorly realised and executed to a lower standard than envisaged. A garden designer may create a nice garden design but will not have the inhouse experience in considering this in the context of other elements e.g. drainage, lighting design, structural integrity. This could lead to costs spiralling out of control. Award winning creativity and design are at the heart of a beautiful garden, but this needs to be accompanied with award-winning execution including planting and built environment

3. No gaps between concept and delivery

Hiring a landscape design team who manage every aspect of the project ensures the whole team work together as one. A landscaper designer’s team are experienced working together and take on dual responsibility, there can be no blame on an outside contractor if something goes wrong. If you have separate designers, horticulturalists and craftspeople you may end up with shortfalls and consistent vision and quality slipping between the gaps. One team, one build and one beautiful design should be the ultimate aim! 

4. High quality finish of both planting and construction

Landscape Designers are skilled in both planting and construction ensuring each element is carefully considered and finished to the highest possible standard. Dramatic towering plants set against stunning architectural build, lit up with clever lighting design will create a cohesive overall design. Rest assured each aspect will maintain the same high-quality finish, completed by one professional team.

5. Experienced Professionals with Accreditations, Awards and Stunning Folio

Choosing a Landscape Designer will mean that they should always be willing to show you their folio including recent examples of their work. A folio showcases how designs are created and the end results, speak to previous clients and ask them how their project went. A professional and experienced team will be happy to discuss any accreditations or awards they have earned, this is evidence of their high-quality design and workmanship recognised in their industry. When undertaking such a big project, you want to have highly skilled professionals with the knowledge and experience, accreditations and awards give you the assurance the company are not amateurs.  Landscape designers strive for the best possible standard and will enjoy creating a garden design to wow, aesthetically but also functionally which will be easy to maintain in months and years to come. 

Graduate Landscapes Ltd can be contacted on 01428 724080, or visit their website www.graduatelandscapes.co.uk

This article also appeared in our summer edition