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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2006 14:25:52 GMT
Hi all,
when I posted my 'raised bed' question, one of the banner ads appeared for a website of Irish garden designers. Out of curiosity I clicked on it and looked at a couple of their portfolios - and was definitely not impressed. Hiring garden designers has become very popular here recently, but they seem to be more about hard landscaping and 'features' than actual plants. What do you think? ... cheers ...
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Post by torontotrini on Oct 10, 2006 15:12:15 GMT
Hi canarycreeper. I don't think I would really hire a garden designer. I'm the type who firmly believes that a garden is a work in progress, both in terms of the plants in it and how it is laid out. I make up the layout as I go along, and how my garden looks today is not really the same as when I started it 3 seasons ago when we moved into this house. I mean, the basic layout is still the same, but I've done all kinds of little tinkerings with it over the past 2 seasons, like a new little bed there for a few roses, or in the centre of the front yard for spring tulips and annuals to keep some steady colour through the season, etc. Paying someone to design a garden for me would b a waste of money because I can guaranty that whatever design he/she comes up with I would change it over time. And as far as plants go, well that's a whole different cup of tea. Again, I have a general range of plants that I like and want to have in terms of say, attracting birds and butterflies and giving fall colour, but generally there's no telling what I could come out with when I go into a GC/nursery.  But to me that's all part of the overall fun/joy of gardening.  |
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Oct 10, 2006 16:02:57 GMT
Nope
it's too much fun doing it myself...If I had lots of money and a huge garden I might hire someone to do the heavy digging...
CPBxxx
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Post by Chuckles on Oct 10, 2006 17:53:25 GMT
Another NO, I agree with TT and CPB.
I have ideas, then think a bit, then change my mind about things, as work progresses I come up with other ideas too. As I go along the ideas grow just like the plants in the garden. It's so rewarding and fun that way. If money was no object I would hire someone to do the hard graft.
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Post by isabella on Oct 10, 2006 19:30:34 GMT
Our garden has just evolved over the years -much more fun!!
I would hate someone coming in and telling me what I should have - would pay someone to do any heavy work!
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Post by sweetleaf on Oct 10, 2006 20:12:32 GMT
I have been put off the Idea of garden designers by the total rubbish Diarmud Gavin passes off as gardens, remember the sharks fin? On the other hand, other designers seen on tv have come up with the occasional good idea which I could copy, but doing it myself in my own time, thats the joy of gardening, surely?
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Post by chickadeedeedee on Oct 10, 2006 22:20:58 GMT
We did hire a garden designer in 1994. The design was nice and they did the planting. What a disaster!  Briefly ... They were to add topsoil to raise the elevation of the beds but instead they used shredded clay. The plants they used were so root bound ... They either did not survive the first winter or started dying the following spring. In some areas they did not place the plant in the ground rather buried it in a healthy layer of mulch making it look like it was in the ground. The clay they used hardened like concrete when dried. The plants in this "soil" were as though in a clay pot and the roots could not penetrate! Whatever plants survived were dug out, the root ball broken up to allow them to spread out rather than spiral for all eternity. The clay was heavily amended with compost and the survivors were replanted. We regret having had them do the planting. Now ... If Mr. Titchmarsh is reading this, I wouldn't mind if he would design something for me.  C3D |
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Post by jlottie on Oct 10, 2006 22:47:26 GMT
Not a chance, maybe some one to do the hard landscaping and the heavy work but definitely not a designer. I change my mind to often so it wouldn't work.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2006 6:55:22 GMT
No I wouldn't - I think a garden mirrors someones personality, making it unique. |
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Post by beejay on Oct 11, 2006 7:53:11 GMT
Well I did a garden design course & then designed my own garden. I have also designed other people's gardens. I think the people who frequent these boards are less likely to use a designer than otherwise as we are all keen on getting on with it. A good designer should be able to reflect the people who are going to use that garden if they are any good. That's why I hat programmes where they design something whilst the people are away - not possible!!
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Post by Dr Bill on Oct 11, 2006 9:03:38 GMT
Being a gardener would be pointless if it did not involve planning and building your garden to your own "design". I suspect few of us make an overall design and stick to it. Gardens are planned and made bit by bit, maybe using ideas from other gardens, magazines, etc. And if you don't like it at the end of the day you change it. I think if I had paid several thousand pounds to a garden designer I would be reluctant to change anything - and gardens aren't like that are they? They change with changing tastes and, dare I say it, fashion
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2006 11:15:27 GMT
Well, I'll answer my own question with 'definitely not'. Why should I pay someone else to have all the fun  ? Having said that, a very high-powered couple we know employed a designer last year who sourced some very expensive plants ... and we've benfitted from lots of cuttings ;D ... cheers ... |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2006 13:15:13 GMT
NO! I prefer to make up my mind as I go along.
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Post by Rosefriend on Oct 11, 2006 13:19:48 GMT
No I don't think that I would - however having said that my neighbour is a Landscape Gardener and I pick her brains at times. It works fairly well actually as she knows more about design and the Tree, hedge side and I know more about Roses and Perennials.
We tend to help each other.
Rosefriend
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But to me that's all part of the overall fun/joy of gardening. 
Briefly ... They were to add topsoil to raise the elevation of the beds but instead they used shredded clay. The plants they used were so root bound ... They either did not survive the first winter or started dying the following spring.
? Having said that, a very high-powered couple we know employed a designer last year who sourced some very expensive plants ... and we've benfitted from lots of cuttings ;D ... cheers ...
