Garden Design & Landscaping

From Garden Design to Finished Garden

One of the advantages of working with SilverBirch Gardens is that we understand both garden design and landscaping.

Our experience of actually building gardens means that designs are developed with construction, materials, drainage, planting and long-term maintenance in mind from the beginning.

We don’t simply create a garden that looks good on paper. We consider how the design will work when it is built and how you will use the garden for years to come.

Depending on your project, our garden design service can include:

• Initial garden consultation
• Site assessment
• Understanding your requirements and ideas
• Garden layout and spatial planning
• Planting design
• Material and paving selection
• Garden steps and retaining walls
• Patio and seating areas
• Garden lighting
• Drainage considerations
• 3D garden visualisation
• Detailed garden plans
• Construction information
• Garden landscaping and build

Our aim is to create a coherent design where the house, garden, planting, materials and outdoor living spaces work together.

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Our Garden Design Process

A Complete Garden Design Service

Every garden and homeowner is different, so we take the time to understand what you want from your outdoor space before developing the design.

1. Initial Consultation

The process starts with a conversation about your garden and what you would like to achieve.

We discuss:

• How you currently use the garden
• What works and what doesn’t
• Your ideas and inspiration
• How you would like to use the garden in the future
• Your preferred garden style
• Planting preferences
• Entertaining and outdoor living
• Maintenance requirements
• Practical considerations
• Your budget and priorities

This gives us a clear understanding of what you want your garden to achieve.

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2. Site Assessment

We then look carefully at the existing garden and its surroundings.

This includes considering:

• The size and shape of the garden
• Levels and changes in elevation
• Existing features
• Soil and planting conditions
• Aspect and sunlight
• Access
• Drainage
• The relationship between the house and garden
• Views and privacy
• Existing trees and planting
• Materials and architectural features

A good garden design should respond to the site rather than fight against it.

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3. Garden Layout & Spatial Planning

The next stage is to develop the overall layout.

We consider how different areas of the garden can work together, creating spaces for:

• Dining
• Entertaining
• Relaxing
• Planting
• Children’s play
• Wildlife
• Outdoor kitchens
• Seating
• Lawns
• Paths and movement through the garden

Careful planning can make a garden feel larger, more connected and easier to use.

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4. Garden Design & Visualisation

Once the layout has been developed, we can bring the design to life through detailed plans and visualisation.

Where appropriate, 3D garden design can help you understand how the finished garden could look before construction begins.

This allows you to consider materials, planting, levels, boundaries, structures and outdoor spaces as part of the overall design.

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5. Materials & Details

Materials play a major role in the character of a garden.

We can help you select materials for features such as:

• Limestone paving
• Porcelain paving
• Natural stone
• Brick
• Timber
• Gravel
• Garden walls
• Steps
• Raised beds
• Pergolas
• Fencing
• Outdoor structures

The materials should complement both the garden and the architecture of your home.

For example, natural limestone can work beautifully in both traditional and contemporary gardens, while clean-lined porcelain paving can create a more modern appearance.

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6. Planting Design

Planting is an important part of every garden.

We consider:

• Colour
• Texture
• Seasonal interest
• Height
• Structure
• Wildlife
• Maintenance
• Sun and shade
• Soil conditions

The aim is to create planting that looks good throughout the year rather than simply providing colour for a few weeks.

We can create planting schemes that complement the architecture and materials within your garden while providing structure and interest throughout the seasons.

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7. Landscaping & Construction

Once the design has been agreed, SilverBirch Gardens can take the project through to construction.

Our landscaping work can include:

• Ground preparation
• Drainage
• Patios
• Paths
• Garden walls
• Retaining walls
• Steps
• Planting
• Lawns
• Garden lighting
• Timber structures
• Outdoor living areas

Because the design and landscaping can be brought together under one company, there is continuity from the initial concept through to the finished garden.

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Garden Design for Different Styles

Traditional & Contemporary Garden Design

There is no single style that works for every garden.

We design gardens to complement the property and reflect the personality of the people who use them.

Traditional Gardens

Traditional garden design can incorporate:

• Natural stone
• Brick
• Soft planting
• Herbaceous borders
• Informal lawns
• Cottage-style planting
• Pergolas
• Traditional boundaries

Contemporary Gardens

Contemporary garden design can incorporate:

• Clean lines
• Geometric layouts
• Large-format paving
• Architectural planting
• Modern seating areas
• Outdoor kitchens
• Garden lighting
• Minimalist materials

Naturalistic Gardens

For homeowners who want a more relaxed and wildlife-friendly garden, we can incorporate:

• Naturalistic planting
• Wildlife-friendly plants
• Informal paths
• Meadows
• Water features
• Native and ornamental planting
• Sustainable materials

Whatever style you prefer, the design should feel appropriate to your home and surroundings.

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Garden Design for Difficult Sites

Sloping Garden Design

Sloping gardens can present challenges, but changes in level can also create opportunities for interesting and distinctive garden designs.

At SilverBirch Gardens, we have experience designing and landscaping gardens with changes in level.

Depending on the site, a sloping garden might incorporate:

• Terraces
• Retaining walls
• Garden steps
• Raised planting areas
• Different outdoor rooms
• Seating areas
• Level lawns
• Drainage solutions
• Lighting

Rather than trying to hide the slope, thoughtful garden design can make it an important part of the finished landscape.

[View our sloping garden projects →]

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Climate-Resilient Garden Design

Designing Gardens for a Changing Climate

Garden design needs to consider how outdoor spaces will perform in the future as well as how they look today.

Hotter summers, periods of drought and heavier rainfall can all affect gardens.

We can incorporate features such as:

• Drought-tolerant planting
• Appropriate soil preparation
• Efficient irrigation
• Improved drainage
• Permeable surfaces
• Rainwater management
• Shade
• Lawn alternatives
• Wildlife-friendly planting

The aim is to create gardens that remain attractive and practical while being better able to cope with changing weather conditions.

[Read our guide to climate-resilient gardens →]

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Garden Design & Outdoor Living

Gardens Designed for Living

A garden should be an extension of your home.

Whether you enjoy entertaining friends, eating outdoors, relaxing with a book or simply enjoying your planting, the design should reflect how you actually use the space.

We can incorporate:

• Dining areas
• Outdoor kitchens
• Seating areas
• Fire pits
• Garden rooms
• Pergolas
• Patios
• Garden lighting
• Outdoor entertaining spaces

The best garden designs make it easy to move between the house and garden and provide different spaces for different occasions.

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Our Somerset Garden Projects

Real Gardens Designed & Landscaped by SilverBirch Gardens

Our portfolio includes gardens of different sizes, styles and levels of complexity throughout Somerset.

From smaller urban gardens to larger rural properties, our projects demonstrate how thoughtful garden design can transform an outdoor space.

Our work includes:

• Contemporary gardens
• Traditional gardens
• Sloping gardens
• Family gardens
• Low-maintenance gardens
• Planting schemes
• Limestone patios
• Outdoor living spaces
• Garden lighting
• Complete garden transformations

[View our garden design & landscaping projects →]

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Why Choose SilverBirch Gardens?

Garden Design & Landscaping Expertise

Choosing a garden designer is about more than finding someone who can produce a drawing.

You need someone who understands how a garden works, how it will be constructed and how the finished space will be used.

SilverBirch Gardens brings together garden design and landscaping, providing a complete approach from initial ideas through to construction.

Established Experience

SilverBirch Gardens was established in 2006, giving us many years of experience designing and landscaping gardens.

Design & Build

We can take a project from the initial design through to the finished landscape, helping maintain continuity throughout the process.

Professional Membership

SilverBirch Gardens is a member of the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL).

Bespoke Designs

Every garden is different. Our designs are developed around the property, the site and the people who will use it.

Practical Design

Our landscaping experience means we consider how designs will actually be constructed, not just how they look on a plan.

Somerset Knowledge

We work with homeowners across Somerset and understand the variety of properties, landscapes and garden conditions found throughout the county.

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Areas We Cover

Garden Designers & Landscapers Across Somerset

SilverBirch Gardens works with homeowners throughout Somerset.

Our service area includes:

Bridgwater
Taunton
Wells
Glastonbury
Street
and surrounding Somerset areas.

If you’re unsure whether we cover your location, please get in touch.

[Garden Design Bridgwater →]
[Garden Design Taunton →]
[Garden Design Wells →]
[Garden Design Glastonbury →]
[Garden Design Street →]

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Frequently Asked Questions

Garden Design FAQs

What does a garden designer do?

A garden designer creates a considered plan for your outdoor space, taking into account the garden’s layout, levels, materials, planting, access, lighting and how you want to use it.

At SilverBirch Gardens, our landscaping experience means we also consider how the design will be constructed and how the finished garden will work in practice.

Do you design and build gardens?

Yes. SilverBirch Gardens combines garden design and landscaping, allowing us to take projects from the initial design through to construction and planting.

Do you provide 3D garden designs?

3D visualisation can be incorporated into the design process where appropriate, helping you understand how different elements of the proposed garden could look before construction.

How much does garden design cost?

The cost of garden design depends on the size and complexity of the garden, the level of detail required and the services involved.

We can discuss your requirements during an initial consultation and explain the design process and associated costs.

How long does garden design take?

Every project is different. The timescale depends on the size and complexity of the garden, the design requirements and the level of detail needed.

We will discuss the expected programme with you at the beginning of the project.

Can you design a sloping garden?

Yes. Changes in level can be incorporated into a garden design using features such as terraces, retaining walls, steps, planting and different outdoor areas.

Can you design a low-maintenance garden?

Yes. Garden design can incorporate lower-maintenance planting, appropriate materials, efficient layouts and alternatives to traditional lawns.

Do you work on traditional and contemporary gardens?

Yes. We design gardens in a range of styles, from traditional and naturalistic gardens to contemporary outdoor spaces.

Where do you provide garden design services?

We provide garden design and landscaping services throughout Somerset, including Bridgwater, Taunton, Wells, Glastonbury, Street and surrounding areas.

If you’re unsure whether we cover your location, please contact us.

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Ready to Transform Your Garden?

Let’s Discuss Your Garden

Whether you have a clear vision for your garden or simply know that your existing outdoor space could work better, we’d love to hear about your project.

From the initial consultation and garden design through to landscaping, planting and the finished garden, SilverBirch Gardens can help turn your ideas into a beautiful outdoor space designed around you.

Based in Somerset, we work with homeowners throughout the surrounding area.

Get in touch with SilverBirch Gardens today.

[Contact SilverBirch Gardens →]

[View Our Work →]