Garden Design FAQs

In our mild local climate you can start work at almost any time of year. Heavy rain and frost can slow things down, so we plan around them, and winter can actually be a good time to begin, since material lead times are often shorter when the season is quieter.

Spring and autumn are the best windows for most planting across Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and London. They give plants time to establish roots before summer heat or winter frost. We'd avoid peak summer where possible, since dry spells stress new planting, and if you do plant then, regular watering while it establishes is essential.

Yes. We offer flexible services to suit your garden and your budget. That might be a full garden redesign to refresh the layout and update the style, or a planting design to create seasonal, wildlife-friendly borders and flowerbeds. Every design is shaped around your taste and how you live, and we often reuse existing features to keep costs down.

It varies with the size of the garden, the complexity of the design and whether site preparation is needed first. We give you a clear timeline during the consultation, and we keep you updated throughout, including if weather causes delays. We'd always rather get a garden right than rush it.

It depends on the size of your garden, how much design and hard landscaping work is involved, the materials you choose and the complexity of the project, so we won't pretend a single figure covers everything. What we can promise is a clear process. A quick, no-obligation call first, so we understand what you're hoping for and can give you an honest early steer. If it makes sense to go further, we'll visit the garden itself and follow up with a detailed quotation, so you know exactly what's included before you commit to anything.

Yes. We work with reputable suppliers who prioritise ethical and sustainable sourcing, and we choose plants from trusted local nurseries as well as established national growers.

Yes. We work year-round, and a lot of the structural landscaping, groundwork, paving and terracing can be done well in any season. Planting is more seasonal, which is why we plan the build and the planting to suit the time of year.

Yes. A good design builds in seasonal interest from the start, evergreens for structure, bulbs and perennials for spring and summer colour, and shrubs or grasses for autumn and winter texture. Erika plans the planting combinations so there's always something happening, whatever the month.

Every garden needs some care, but we can design for low maintenance, using longer-flowering perennials, ground cover to reduce weeding, and shrubs that only need pruning once a year. After planting, Erika provides a maintenance guide so you know exactly what to do and when.

Yes. We can take a garden all the way from design to a finished, planted space, or work from plans drawn up by another garden designer or architect. Erika leads the design and planting, and we coordinate trusted specialists to carry out the construction, staying closely involved so the design is built accurately on site.

Yes. Vivid Gardens is led by Erika Meh, who holds a Master's in Ornamental Horticulture and has more than twenty years of experience. We carry full public liability insurance, and all our landscapers are trained professionals committed to working safely and responsibly on every project. Our insurance cover includes Public Liability Insurance (up to £10 million) to protect both our clients and team in case of accidental damage or injury on site, Employer's Liability Insurance to cover our staff and subcontractors while working, and Professional Indemnity Insurance for design and planning work, ensuring our clients are fully protected at every stage of their project.

Yes, wherever it's practical, safe and adds value. Reusing existing materials or plants can save money, cut waste and help keep the character of your garden.

Yes. We design gardens that support local wildlife while still being beautiful and easy to live with, often using nectar-rich and native planting. A wildlife-friendly garden draws in birds, bees and butterflies, and helps a healthy ecosystem thrive right outside your door. Our guides on attracting bees on Buckinghamshire clay soil and bringing hedgehogs back to your garden go into the detail.