Designing gardens inspired by nature, we create beautiful sanctuary spaces which captivate the senses and nourish the soul.​​
Helen
Saunders
GARDEN DESIGN
​​We are an award-winning garden design studio, based in Epsom. We work on projects in Surrey, Sussex, London and beyond.​​
ABOUT HELEN
​With a background in Fine Art and an early career as an artist, Helen brings a deep understanding of colour and composition, enabling her to create immersive spaces with atmospheric planting. Having trained at the London College of Garden Design, and winning an award for her design work at the prestigious Society of Garden Designers Awards, her gardens are recognised for their level of detail and creative flare.
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PROJECTS
Epsom Town house garden
This design took its cue from the existing wooded bank in the space, and incorporated hints of the mediterranean. Boulders intersect with the hardscape amongst woodland planting, and a deck floats effortlessly above the bank, providing a shady spot to relax.
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Only recently completed, we're excited to see this garden grow and establish. Watch this space!​​
Vauxhall family garden
This garden was inspired by the forests of Northern Europe, with birch trees and low-growing conifers. A stepping stone path winds through the garden leading to a secluded seating area shaded by trees. ​
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The planting was designed to invigorate the senses with textural, scented planted and fruit to be foraged - perfect for little ones to explore.
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Vauxhall garden
The brief for this London courtyard garden was for a wildlife-friendly oasis, with areas for both relaxing and entertaining.
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The hardscape was given subtle industrial references in the use of sleeper-topped gabions and steel rebar mesh for climbers. This reflected objects we found in the space as well as the railway history of the area.
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Planting chosen had a wild feel, as though nature is reclaiming the space.. all be it in a controlled way.
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Epsom Secret garden
The design for this garden was based around the concept of 'The Secret Garden'. Although there was no wall or gate, the garden was designed to be a joyful voyage of discovery cocooned by trees.
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The stepping stone path provides a playful route through a nectar-rich clover lawn, which provides somewhere to lounge on a summer's day whilst providing for the pollinators.
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Our client already enjoyed watching the birds, and wanted to encourage more, so tree varieties were selected which offered berries for Autumn and winter forage as well as blossom in the Spring.
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Working with you to create your dream garden
​​​We work with busy professionals who often don't have the time or expertise to transform their garden, but want to create a sanctuary where they can connect to nature and thrive.
Do you want to:-
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- Add more privacy to your garden so you don't feel overlooked by neighbours whilst retaining those all important views?
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- Create space for you to dine and socialise whilst feeling closed to nature?
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- Have planting interest throughout the year, and avoid staring out on to bare soil during winter time?
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- Attract wildlife into your garden and improve biodiversity whilst keeping it maintainable?
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We can create your own private sanctuary, with cleverly designed boundaries, obscuring what you don't want to see, and enhancing what you do, using planting to immerse you in a green oasis.We can create planting schemes full of texture and colour with seasonal interest connecting you and your family to nature. We can draw in wildlife using pollinator-friendly planting which draws in bees and butterflies and other critters, as well as providing habitat space and food for birds. All whilst maximising your space for you to relax, entertain and play.
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We had an exceptional experience working with Helen. From the start, she was incredibly helpful, kind, and attentive to every detail of our project. She took the time to listen carefully to all of our ideas and needs, offering thoughtful suggestions that truly elevated the design.
S. Sabbatini, Epsom, Surrey
Sustainable garden design
Creating gardens that consider carbon footprint and use sustainable materials where possible is key throughout our garden design process. Producing as little waste as possible, and re-using spoil (often for foundations beneath the ground) and reusing good quality building materials in creative ways goes a long way to reducing the carbon footprint on a garden build - and saves the cost of removing it all from site. Salvaging existing paving slabs or reusing reclaimed materials can not only reduce carbon emissions, but also add character to a garden. When bring new materials into a garden, we try to source locally where possible and this can bring benefits beyond the environmental - it can subtly ground the garden, helping it look like it 'belongs' in the local landscape.
Using permeable materials where possible that absorb rainwater is another way of having a positive impact on the environment. This reduces risk of flooding and helps filter out harmful pollutants. It also helps cool the surrounding air reducing the Urban Heat Island Effect (the heating effect of man's activities).
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Are you looking for a garden re-design?
Garden Design for Wildlife
A garden should be so much more than simply a room outdoors. As well as looking beautiful and providing much needed outdoor space, it also has a job to do. It should provide a connection to nature by encouraging insects and wildlife into the space. This could be through improving biodiversity and providing food and habitat for wildlife. And nature will repay you in abundance - with colour, scent, birdlife, bees and butterflies. ​​​
Plants for pollinators​​
By choosing a range of different plants that are attractive to pollinators, you not only extend the flowering period with a longer display of colour, but you also provide the bees with a continuous buffet of nectar and pollen. As well as flowers, by selecting tree varieties that provide interest across the seasons - from blossom in Spring through to berries in Autumn and Winter, you are providing nectar for insects and food for garden birds at a time of year when they really need it. Every plant should earn it's keep. Designing for the environment is just as relevant whether you have a family garden, a garden to enjoy during retirement, a communal garden, or anything in between!
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Get in touch to find out how we can help with your garden
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" Top service from start to finish.Communication was great throughout and her depth of knowledge was obvious. There was some lovely attention to detail, and the planting recommendations have been perfect, with different mixes tailored to each area of the garden."
S. Beary, Broadstairs, Kent