Concept sketch for a courtyard garden designed by Studio Hari
Photograph of a Japanese anemone in a planting design by Studio Hari

FAQs

  • What’s the difference between a garden designer and a gardener?
    A gardener looks after a planted space, using horticultural expertise to care for plants, the wider ecosystem of the garden and nurture the space. Gardeners are essential to the long-term success of a garden.

    A garden designer uses their professional design training and creativity to interpret, plan and visualise the garden as a whole, from spatial layout, to materials, to plants. A good designer will use their horticultural knowledge to carry out the design process with the gardener in mind, thinking about the garden’s evolution through the seasons, years and decades to come.

  • Do you build gardens?
    I create the designs and work hands-on with plants but I am not a builder/landscaper. Once your design is complete, I can recommend a trusted landscaper (or you will be able to appoint your own) to make the garden. Landscapers need a clear plan with accurate scale measurements and material specifications to build a good quality garden. The most successful gardens that last and work well have a clear concept, intelligent use of space, informed use of materials and expert selection of plants. This is what I can provide through my design service.

  • How much does a garden re-design cost?
    Every project is different in size, ambition and complexity so I start with a conversation to understand my clients’ individual needs. I’m a great believer that whatever the budget, there is something we can do together to improve your garden. A good comparison for a complete re-design is to think about how much you would spend on a kitchen or bathroom.

  • What if I just want to update the plants in my garden?
    If you’re just looking to introduce planting or revive existing beds, but not change any hard landscaping, I offer a     Planting Design service. This includes a site consultation to explore the horticultural conditions and your design preferences. I can also source plants and plant them in for you.

  • My garden needs something but I don’t know where to start and am not ready to commit to a design service, can you guide me?
    Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start! You could opt for my     90-minute consultation — I will come to your garden and help with ideas for how to re-think the space, materials and plants. The cost is £260 and if you decide you then want to go for my planting design or garden re-design service, this will be deducted from the ongoing fee.

  • Where is the best place to buy plants?
    I work with trusted and specialist nurseries to source plants for my clients. I only work with nurseries with proven and reliable management of pests and diseases, who comply with the highest horticultural standards. If you want to buy the plants yourself online or from the garden centre I will tailor the selection in my design to commonly available plants.

Building work in progress on a garden design by Studio Hari
Photograph hands and paint colour swatches as the garden designer Studio Hari helps a client choose colours for their garden design

“After a long building project on our home, the garden was reduced to a pile of rubble.  The planting designs that Angharad created helped to transform the space back into an area we want to spend time in and love looking out to from our house.” (Beth)

“Working with Hari was a pleasure… The result is a garden which far exceeds my expectations. It has everything I was looking for, and is finally a place I want to spend time.” (Josie)

Photograph looking through large glass doors onto a garden designed by Studio Hari