What is the process for getting a garden design?
We start with a consultation to understand how you want to use the garden, your lifestyle, budget, style preferences, and any practical issues such as access, levels, drainage, privacy, or maintenance. From there, we can advise on the best design direction, layout, materials, planting, and next steps for your project.
How long does it take to complete a garden design project?
The timeline depends on the size and complexity of the garden. A smaller design or planting plan may be developed quickly, while a full garden transformation with paving, drainage, lighting, planting, and construction details can take longer to plan properly. We will always give a realistic timescale before the work begins.
Do you offer maintenance services after the garden is installed?
Yes. We can provide garden maintenance and aftercare to help your new garden settle properly. This can include lawn care, pruning, border care, seasonal checks, plant health support, cleaning advice, and regular upkeep to keep the garden controlled, healthy, and looking its best throughout the year.
Can I incorporate sustainability values into my garden design?
Yes. We can include more sustainable choices such as suitable planting, improved soil health, drainage planning, water-conscious planting schemes, durable materials, reduced maintenance layouts, and wildlife-supporting features. The right approach depends on your garden, budget, and long-term maintenance goals.
What should I consider before starting a landscape project?
Before starting, it is worth thinking about how you want to use the garden, what budget you are comfortable with, what level of maintenance you want, and whether there are practical issues such as drainage, access, levels, privacy, or existing materials. A strong plan helps avoid costly changes later.
Do you handle both soft landscaping and hard landscaping?
Yes. Leaf & Stone can help with planting, lawns, borders, pruning, and soft landscaping, as well as patios, pathways, steps, walls, edging, drainage, and other hard landscaping. This allows the finished garden to feel cohesive rather than built in disconnected parts.
Can you work with an existing garden layout?
Yes. Not every garden needs to be completely rebuilt. We can improve existing spaces by refining the layout, improving planting, adding better edging, repairing or replacing tired areas, improving drainage, introducing lighting, or creating more useful zones for seating, dining, family life, or maintenance.
How do you make sure the garden lasts?
Long-lasting gardens depend on proper preparation. We consider drainage, groundworks, material choice, installation detail, plant suitability, soil condition, access, and future maintenance. A garden should look good when finished, but it should also settle well, mature properly, and remain practical over time.