"a wonderful design, beautifully drawn and exquisitely planted"

Pickard School of Garden Design Tutor

why essence gardens

get the right brief

• no matter how creative, pretty or clever a design is, if the brief is wrong, the solution will not work for you.
  
   
• so, we get the right brief from you…
   
  
• it is a skill to ask the right questions, to hear what is being said and to get to the nub of an issue quickly.
  
   
• to unpick, prioritise, challenge and boil down is fundamental to getting the right brief from you. Therefore, the quality of the initial consultation is critical.
  

Your essence….your view

• the essence of your design will be meaningful to you, your house, area or family.
  
  
• for example, your design could be inspired by your favourite painting, your family Coat of Arms or a carving from the local church.
  
  
• we take your essence and create your view from it.

First class project management

• coming up with an idea is one thing, making it reality is quite another.
  
  
• we are experts in project management and apply these skills to garden making. 
  
  
• no project is ever smooth, but one’s expertise in managing the ups and downs, the money and the timescale is what’s key.

Headed up by Helen Westendorp MBA PSGD

• distinction level diploma from the Pickard School of Garden Design
  
  
• RHS level II certification gained June 2009 with commendation
  
  
• successfully accepted as a Pre-Registered Member of the Society of Garden Designers (SGD)
  
  
• MBA from Lancaster Business School
  
  
• Helen has worked on many different styles of garden - from manor house to urban chic ...and specialises in the planning and planting of formal and semi formal gardens with expertise ranging from parterre design to organic kitchen gardens
  
  
• She continues to relish meeting new clients to discuss their needs - however large or small their patch of green.