Services

  At The Garden Alchemist, I offer a range of services to help you create and enhance your outdoor spaces. These services include:

• Garden Consultations
• Garden Design
• Planting Plans

  A garden consultation is a personalised session where we discuss your garden's current state, your aspirations, and any challenges you may be facing. During the consultation, I provide expert advice and recommendations on various garden-related topics and provide a summary report afterwards of what we talked about.

In contrast, garden design involves creating a comprehensive plan and vision for your garden, including layout, plant selection, and design elements.

My approach is client-centric, meaning I involve you in the design process to ensure your personality and desires are infused into the garden's essence. I believe that every garden should reflect its owner's spirit while harmonising with the natural world.

I offer planting plans for clients who have a well-established garden layout with existing hardscaping but are looking to enhance their plant selection. A planting plan is ideal if you find your garden's current plants lacklustre or if you want to introduce new elements to your space.

The planting plan provides a detailed layout of where and which plants will be positioned in your garden. It includes a comprehensive plant list with a maintenance schedule. This plan ensures that your garden's new additions thrive and complement your existing landscape, adding vibrancy and beauty to your outdoor space.

 Before a design consultation, I provide clients with a pre-consultation questionnaire. This questionnaire allows clients to share essential information about their garden, colour and style preferences, and any other details that can help me better understand their needs and desires. It saves time during the consultation and helps clients clarify their thoughts and preferences without feeling pressured.

If you have any more questions or would like to book a consultation, please feel free to reach out. I'm here to assist you in creating a garden that reflects your vision and nurtures your connection with nature!

If you're unsure about what you want or have little gardening experience, that's perfectly fine! Many of my clients start with a blank slate, and we'll begin by discussing your lifestyle, tastes, and any vague ideas you might have. Your input, no matter how uncertain, is essential in shaping your garden's direction.

For those who may not be well-versed in the world of plants, I'm here to provide education and guidance. Together, we'll explore the fascinating diversity of plant species, their care requirements, and how they can contribute to different garden styles.

Our journey continues with a delightful exploration of various garden aesthetics. We'll dive into the realms of classic and traditional gardens, venture into the modern and eclectic, and discover everything in between. I'll share visual references and examples to help you grasp the unique character of each style.

Based on our conversations and your evolving preferences, I'll offer personalised recommendations for a garden style that aligns with your vision and suits your space. Your chosen style will be a reflection of your personality and desires.

It's essential to remember that your garden is a dynamic space that can grow and change over time. I design with flexibility in mind, allowing you to make alterations and additions as your gardening journey unfolds.

There are no right or wrong choices when it comes to garden styles. Your garden should bring you joy and harmonise with your lifestyle. My goal is to help refine your vision, provide insights, and assist you in creating a garden that feels like a genuine expression of yourself.

Yes, I prioritise eco-friendly and sustainable practices in my garden designs. I can suggest environmentally responsible options for materials, water conservation, and plant selection.

I prioritise the "right plant, right place" philosophy by considering factors such as soil quality, climate, sun and shade patterns, and local weather to select plants that thrive naturally in their designated environment. This doesn’t mean it’s all natives though – lots of plants all over the world have similar requirements.

Absolutely! I take a holistic approach to garden design, considering factors such as local wildlife, pets, climate, and soil conditions to ensure your garden thrives naturally in its environment.

For garden consultations alone, I allocate a minimum of one hour, depending on the size and scale of your garden. Additional hours can be arranged based on your garden's specific needs.

The consultation report provides a detailed summary of the recommendations discussed during our session, covering various aspects of your garden's improvement. It could be points about: pruning, pest management, soil changes, fertiliser, mulch, tree locations, water management, entertaining areas, seating spots and more!

For garden design consultations, a minimum of 1.5 hours is required. This extended duration allows us to focus more on your specific preferences and aspirations for the space.

Your garden design plans will be a combination of digital and hand-drawn elements, compiled into a PDF format and emailed directly to you.

Yes, printed copies of the design plans can be arranged at an extra cost. You can opt for an A3 printed portfolio to have a physical representation of your garden vision.

I usually try to dig deep to get to know exactly what you want, but I do offer revisions of the designs too. Giving me as much information as possible is key – I haven’t learnt mind-reading yet. For the people who can’t envision the space from looking at a plan – I include inspiration photos and photos of the plants to get you excited for how it might possibly look!

The garden plans I offer are not intended for Development Application (DA) approval and can be built or planted without council approval. 

If your project requires Development Application (DA) approval, please let me know during our initial consultation, and I will provide you with a quote for the additional services required.

 The flexibility of the garden plans I provide allows you to choose the approach that suits you best. You have the option to implement the garden plans yourself, taking on the role of the hands-on gardener and enjoying the creative process of transforming your outdoor space. This DIY approach can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to bring your garden design to life.

On the other hand, if you prefer to leave the implementation to professionals or if the project requires specialised skills, hiring a skilled landscaper is a great choice. A professional landscaper can ensure that the design is executed with precision and expertise, handling tasks such as hardscaping, planting & digging.

Ultimately, the decision between DIY and hiring a landscaper is based on your comfort level, available time, and the complexity of the project. There's always the option of both options together too! Maybe you'd like a landscaper to come put in a pathway, pergola or retaining wall - then leave the fun job of planting for yourself! 

Nope! The beauty of gardens is watching it grow. If you only have the time/budget for a portion of the design – then you can decide what you do first! Weather it’s just getting the trees in & established first or entertaining areas in so you can use them. You can always refer to the plan down the track and add as you go to reach the final vision! No pressure.

Yes please! My first art was a photographer – I’d love to document your garden process and show it off. I will, of course share the photos with you too so you can admire the changes.

I prioritise the "right plant, right place" philosophy by considering factors such as soil quality, climate, sun and shade patterns, and local weather to select plants that thrive naturally in their designated environment.

Yes, my services are available year-round to accommodate your gardening needs, regardless of the season. Though, the best time to plant is in Spring or Autumn, when the soil is warm.

Yes, I offer revisions to ensure your garden design aligns with your vision. The number of included revisions varies based on the package you choose.

Yes, I can design gardens of various sizes, from small urban spaces, balconies, courtyards to larger residential properties. Each garden design is tailored to your specific needs and preferences.

Payment methods vary based on the service package and your preferences. Secure payment details will be provided during our initial discussions. I accept bank deposit & PayPal. I can set up payment plans also. 

 Yes, I provide my garden design and consultation services in the Southern Highlands, Wollondilly, Wollongong, and South Sydney areas of Australia. I can travel outside these areas for an extra fee.