An often overlooked benefit of using a garden designer is the 'personal shopping' aspect...
Before we begin physically working on a client's garden, a lot of work needs to be done first. Once the designs for a client have been approved, the task of pricing and planning the build begins. Sourcing plants and trees from different nurseries all over the country can be very time consuming but it is also a very important part of the process as I believe in getting the best for my clients. While visiting the nurseries, Mick or I will often take pictures of the plants and send them to my clients – standing next to trees so they can see their approximate size and scale. We'll then 'tag' the trees to reserve them (most nurseries or garden centres will let you do this for a couple of days).
Hand-selecting specific plants is an invaluable service we offer all of our clients – that complements our garden design and build business and, we believe, creates real added-value. It ensures we secure the best possible quality for the available budget and means a client gets to see, for example, the actual tree that will be planted in their garden. This might seem obvious, but the alternative – buying via the internet – is not so reliable. While the internet is an amazing resource, and there are many reputable nurseries who sell online and aim to send you the best available plants, there is nothing quite like physically checking the plant, tree or shrub for yourself. Scale for one thing can be hard to imagine and, purely for logistcal reasons, you will probably not receive the actual plant you see on a nursery's website.
In a way, this part of our service is similar to a personal shopper at your favourite department store. Experience, a keen eye and objectivity means we can offer you unbiased advice and save you money by choosing the right plants for the design, the soil and the environment. We also have an extensive list of suppliers and will know which nurseries are most likely to have the plants you need or want.
This service is not limited to living plants or trees, we also offer a garden styling service to clients and can help you find the perfect outdoor furniture or accessories to suit the overall design and space. For more information please visit our website or email me at claudia@claudiadeyongdesigns.com