Garden designer Diane Pyper: ‘I love to embark on the journey with my clients’

A CLIENT asked me what my favourite part of designing gardens is. There are two parts; the beginning and the end. I love to embark on the journey with my clients and discover what suits their lifestyle, draw up the survey and be sitting at the drawing board ready to begin the process of bringing it all to a creative conclusion.

I recently met with a client whose garden I had previously designed. They have moved and are now planning to build a very modern home. This is in complete contrast to the traditional home they lived in, so it was exciting to discuss the changes they will make living in a property that has the opportunity for a superb connection between house and garden.

The public part of the house contains a significant area of glazing and a fabulous axis/vista along the 100m length of the plot, although it is a challenging site as it is only 22m wide. Because we have worked on a previous design, it is easier to discuss design principles. It is also this initial design aspect that I love when teaching.

Completing the design by carrying out the planting is also hugely rewarding. Even being involved in the maintenance of a garden I haven’t designed is gratifying, as it results in the owners taking control again and enjoying being out in their gardens. I worked for two days on a back garden in Edinburgh and when I went back to complete the front garden I noticed there were stripes on the lawn, a sign that the owner was having fun and enjoying the space again. It is this feeling of wellbeing that is an important factor and in many cases very simple changes can make all the difference – edging the lawn being one.

I am planning a couple of two-day courses in garden design and planting design on 7 and 14 November, and 25 Nov and 2 Dec, for those interested in learning how to assess and improve on your garden’s potential.

Diane Pyper (01506 414 459, [email protected], www.NewDimensionsGD.com)