Customer Reviews
We are really passionate about creating beautiful gardens and we're proud as punch when we get positive feedback from our clients. Here's what some of them have to say about us:
"I have been so very pleased with Simon's work in our garden design. We had a few meetings with other designers before deciding who to use, and it was a no-brainer that Simon won the contract. He always said what he was going to do when he was going to do it, but more importantly, he really listened to what we were wanting to get out of our garden design and pretty much on his first draft we loved it and barely wanted to change a thing. He pretty much nailed it first time. When the work begun he was great at liaising with the landscaper to sort anything out whilst the work was carried out, and was always easily reachable if we needed to speak to him. I believe that Simon is an exceptionally talented garden designer and is also very knowledgeable about garden products. To be honest I can't fault the guy. If you're deciding whether to use him or not, then go for it without hesitation" - LB, June 22
"We're very happy with our garden which was completed in February before the pandemic started. Really enjoyed seeing the different seasonal plants that have sprung up. Our garden is long and norrow, the design has made it feel intimate having different sections zigzagging across. We now have a great relaxing and entertaining space" - Ben S, Oct 21
"Simon created an incredible garden design for us, consistent with our brief and vision but containing elements we would never have thought of ourselves. He documented the agreed design with great precision and detail, which made it easy for us to get a selection of quotes from landscaping companies. He helped us to oversee the build phase, working with the landscapers to resolve issues and ensure the build exactly matched the design. Our garden has well and truly been transformed and we love spending time in it." - M.P, July 21
"I contacted Simon as he was local to the area and I was keen to support local businesses. I was able to explain to him exactly what I wanted and the issues I had with my garden both back and front. Simon was able to do a site visit and submit a plan and recommendations for the work I needed. He was completely professional throughout the process and his knowledge and help of garden design and planting went above and beyond. My finished garden both back and front look amazing and all the plants look so natural to suit my garden. I would highly recommend Simon" - EF, Feb 20
"We worked with Simon over a period of 18 months. This was a complete garden redesign, including rebuild of a garage, establishing retaining walls, lighting, irrigation - the works. Simon came up with a design which met all our needs, creating areas of the garden to suit the different needs of the whole family of 5, He also was a great help working with both builders and landscapers, he really made sure that we got what the design specified. We had never had a garden design before, but Simon is meticulous and lovely to work with, when we went out to tender for a contractor they were all really impressed with the detail and clarity of his work! Thank you Simon" - JB, Oct 19
"Simon was fantastic - he came up with a master plan for our garden that perfectly took into account our brief and budget. We're looking forward to using him during the construction phase in the near future" - JM, July 19
"We asked Simon to design our garden when we moved into our new house and I had no idea what to do with our large garden. Simon noted all our preferences, how we live and how we want to use the garden. The design he came up with covered all that and more. In particular the fact that we have a 60's home and the garden style would have to reflect that. We've just completed the first hard landscaping section and it looks amazing" - ES, March 19
"Can’t recommend Simon highly enough. Professional, creative and communicated throughout the project at any time of day! Our ground floor and basement development had been really well thought through during planning and in hindsight the Garden was somewhat of an afterthought so it was with some panic that I contacted Simon having liked the style of his work I’d seen on Houzz. Simon quickly came to the rescue and gave us lots of ideas about what we could achieve in a relatively small space. He was spot on when he said that there was little room for error in a smaller garden as nothing can be hidden! I’d like to thank Simon for his patience, calm and guidance during what was a pretty fully on few weeks. Simon helped source plants, pots and colour samples as well as recommend lighting. He also provided recommendations for suppliers of our living wall and ongoing garden maintenance (also recommended). We couldn't be happier with the result and our little oasis! Everybody who visits tells us our garden really does have the wow factor. We’re looking forward to the coming weeks and months as the plants really start to bloom. Thank you Simon!" - MR, Nov 18
"Skilful and considerate designer, sensitive to client needs and good to work with. Good knowledge of the full range of materials and plants for a challenging job" - YD, April 19
"Simon designed our front garden and we’re so pleased with it. We had a pretty small budget compared to what he probably usually deals with, but he tackled the project with gusto and came up with a design we really loved. He recommended a local landscaper and organised/oversaw the build which suited us as we’d never done something like this before – we just sat back and watched it happen. Most of all we absolutely love the planting – it’s north facing but he managed to source plants that were really colourful even in winter, and are thriving a year and half on. We spend many hours pottering around the garden and love opening the curtains in the morning to see the view. Thank you!" - FO, Oct 2017
"Simon undertook a redesign of my front & back gardens in summer 0f 2017. I'm very pleased with the results, and i'm not the easiest to please! As an Architect/developer myself i recognise good design and good drawings, and Simon achieved both" - DR, Sept 2017
"We used Simon Orchard to redesign our back garden after completing a kitchen extension and we are delighted with the results. He skilfully interpreted our practical requirements and incorporated them into our design where appropriate, or came up with alternative solutions if they wouldn't work with the scheme. Of particular note, he designed some beautiful floating steps from our deck to give access to the garden which has been complemented and softened with planting. His honest and tactful approach to client management was much appreciated and it was a pleasure working with him" - RM, July 2017
"I would like to recommend Simon Orchard, who designed my front garden. I got his details via a card through my door, and don't usually use people on the basis of flyers but Simon trained at the same Design School as me so I wanted to help him. And I am so glad I did. The garden is gorgeous (I would also highly recommend Tobyn Burnett and his team for landscaping). Simon produced a design for us based on our high level requirements, typically wanting to park a car on the drive but not losing too much garden to drive, and having somewhere for bins, and despite all those urban needs still having a pretty planted garden. What I am most pleased with is the planting. I have no idea about plants but I know what I like and Simon managed to decipher the look I wanted into a selection of plants that are exactly what I had in mind. I spent an afternoon in the summer just sitting on my front step, because I wanted to spend time in my beautiful front garden. Luckily the neighbours joined me so I didn't look completely weird" - JS, March 2017
"Simon has been great to work with and has totally transformed our garden with his fantastic design. From our initial meeting, he had some great ideas and understood what our needs and desires were. He has always been available to advise us on various decisions we have had to make during the landscaping work and is very knowledgable with regards to planting and his trade. I have no hesitation in recommending him.
Definitely a five star service!" - LC, March 2017
"I used Simon to design the front and back garden of my Victorian London terrace house. I can't rate him highly enough, from the initial meeting where he listened to what I was after through to the designs, ideas and tendering process, he was professional throughout and a joy to work with. Having used a different company before on another project, I would always go back to Simon now. The final result looks amazing and my wife and I are very very happy with it." - JC, Nov 2016
Fancy a chat? We'd love to talk to you about your project so please get in touch
Over the years we have also developed strong relationships with all sorts of garden design suppliers - from architects to landscape contractors, water feature specialists to plant nurseries. Here's what some of them have to say about us:
"We have built two of Simon's gardens this year. His plans are unique and very clear - both of which are key in achieving a brilliant result. The homeowners love how he gets so much value out of their property" - Edward Mairis, Xardin Landscaping, June 2022
"Simon is just great! We have worked with him on a large landscaping project in Lewisham this spring. He was the designer of this 200m2 very complex multi - level garden which we built under his supervision. Always kept the workflow and the execution of the project smooth, providing quick and effective solutions for the numerous challenges inherent in such a complex project. Extremely professional designer with a great scope of understanding for both the design and the technical aspects of a landscape. He provided clear and easy to understand plans and technical drawings which made the job very easy to execute. I would definitely recommend him if you are looking for a really outstanding landscape design" - Martin Yankov, Landscape Interventions, May 2018
"Over the years we have been working with Simon on a few different project, supplying our boards to work into the designs of his projects. He's was always finding ways to make the clients dream come true. The end results are stunning and perfectly complement the quality of our boards, perfectly matching with other external materials" - Stefan Holmes, Millboard, July 2018
"Simon Orchard is a fantastic designer to work with as well as being friendly and approachable. We won the tender to build one of Simon’s gardens in Clapham, London. The design was clean and simple but packed a real punch – especially with the living wall which was a clever solution to greening up a small space. Simon was very professional to work with – providing us with clear drawings to work from and came on site regularly to check progress and answer any queries we had (not that there were many). We were really impressed with the result – as was the client. Top marks! Would highly recommend" - The Botanical Gardener, Aug 2017
"We've supplied Simon with garden products for a number of years. We're always impressed by the level of care and attention from design to completion. Customer focussed, with good trade knowledge. He skilfully integrates a range of available products, suitable for any brief" - The Pot Company, July 2018
"We recently worked on constructing and planting Simon's meandering cottage garden. Simon's detailed and accurate illustrations helped us to ease our way through this complex garden. Simon is a thoughtful and meticulous designer who manages to balance the Client's brief alongside the details necessary for the contractor resulting in an all round positive experience" - Hortus Landscaping, Feb 2018
"We enjoyed working with Simon on a garden project recently and particularly admired his design utilising both traditional and modern materials in harmony with each other. His drawings were clear and we maintained a good client/designer and contractor liaison throughout the duration of the project." - Dan Flynn, Gardenlink Landscaping, July 2017
"As landscape contractors, we’ve been lucky enough to build a couple of Simon Orchard’s gardens recently, and are due to start building two more imminently. Simon is an absolute pleasure to work with on a number of levels: Firstly he’s clearly a clever and confident designer and always seems to add that little something extra that clients aren’t expecting; his detail and construction drawings are spot on so we’re not left scratching our heads wondering how to build the garden – music to a landscaper’s ears!; and he’s always on hand and on site if necessary to resolve any issues and make sure everything is completed to his exacting standards. We’re looking forward to working with him on the next two projects. Can’t recommend him highly enough"
- Tobyn Burnett, TBG Landscaping, March 2017
"As a landscaping company Exterior Design Gardens, we worked on a project for a front & back garden with Simon Orchard the designer. It was refreshing to work with good clear, innovative design & communications between Simon, the client & our selves to produce a very creative garden with excellent planting & different perspectives that brought about a great design that the customer loved. As a consequence, we will be working with Simon again to produce, beautiful gardens from a man who understands people's needs & translates them successfully"
- Nigel Hawkins, Exterior Designs Landscaping, Jan 2017