Chris Hull is the founder of Greenbook Landscape Design and a multi-award-winning garden designer known for creating thoughtful, practical gardens that feel as good as they look.
With a background in Ecology and Conservation, Chris brings a deep understanding of the natural environment into every project. His work focuses not just on aesthetics, but on how gardens function, evolve and sit within their wider landscape.
A Practical Approach to Garden Design
Chris’ approach to garden design is grounded in how people actually use their spaces.
Rather than following trends or imposing a fixed style, each project is shaped around the client, the setting and the way the garden needs to work day to day. This balance of creative thinking and practical experience is what underpins all of his work.
Television & Media
Chris is widely recognised for his work on television, where he brings garden design to a broader audience in an approachable and engaging way.
He is a presenter on BBC’s Garden Rescue, working alongside Charlie Dimmock, Lee Burkhill and Flo Hedlam to transform outdoor spaces across the UK.
He has also appeared as a garden expert on ITV’s Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh.
Chris is also involved with the RHS & BBC The One Show’sPocket Garden Makeover Prize, where entrants get a shot at having their small garden or balcony transformed by him.
Awards & Recognition
Chris’ work has been recognised at the highest level within the industry.
Most notably, he was awarded a Gold Medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 for the Microbiome Garden, co-designed with Sid Hill. The project explored the relationship between planting, soil health and the wider ecosystem, reflecting his interest in environmentally conscious design.
Experience & Perspective
Chris thrives on the variety that comes with garden design, working across a range of projects from private residential gardens to larger, more complex landscapes.
His combined experience in horticulture, landscaping and design allows him to approach projects holistically. Chris understands not just how a garden should look, but how it should be built and how it will mature over time.
Inspiration
Chris draws inspiration from gardens that have stood the test of time.
One of his favourite places to visit is the historic gardens at Hotel Endsleigh, designed by Humphrey Repton, a space that demonstrates how strong design principles can endure and continue to shape the way a landscape is experienced.
Working With Chris
Through Greenbook Landscape Design, Chris works closely with clients, architects and project teams to develop gardens that are both considered and practical.
Whether leading a full design or contributing to a wider project, his focus remains the same - creating spaces that feel natural, work effortlessly and stand the test of time.
Enquiries
If you’re planning a garden project and would like to work with Greenbook Landscape Design, we’d love to hear from you.
People always make the same mistake with garden lighting…
So many gardens have too many lights that are often too bright as well. Subtlety is key!
This garden that we designed in Bristol uses @inlite_global lights from @landscapeplus_uk - which have a lot of options to get a lovely soft lighting scheme like this. I always try and design lighting so you’re not staring at a direct light source.
You can do this by facing things away from the house, using anti glare filters, or disguising the light source in planting. That way you get a soft glow instead!
Installed by @benjaminrichardpope 🙌
Sway lights floating through the planting
Lovely view back across the garden with Sway lights, LED strip on the bench and a wash across the gravel from Ace Low lights.
Simple Wedge wall lights to mark the steps
Sway lights and the Ace low giving a nice wash across the ground
People always make the same mistake with garden lighting…
So many gardens have too many lights that are often too bright as well. Subtlety is key!
This garden that we designed in Bristol uses @inlite_global lights from @landscapeplus_uk - which have a lot of options to get a lovely soft lighting scheme like this. I always try and design lighting so you’re not staring at a direct light source.
You can do this by facing things away from the house, using anti glare filters, or disguising the light source in planting. That way you get a soft glow instead!
Installed by @benjaminrichardpope 🙌
Sway lights floating through the planting
Lovely view back across the garden with Sway lights, LED strip on the bench and a wash across the gravel from Ace Low lights.
Simple Wedge wall lights to mark the steps
Sway lights and the Ace low giving a nice wash across the ground
The garden is split into three distinct ‘rooms’ split across two levels. Coffee spot at the top, dining in the middle, and lounging at the bottom!
Designed and planted by my company Greenbook Landscape Design and built by @benjaminrichardpope 💪
Some awesome details in this garden that have been built beautifully.
Will share some more pics including the lighting on another post soon 🤟
The best photos by my good friend @aspectlandscapemedia 📸. Go and hit him up if you need anything shooting!
A simple Corten water table breaks up the garden and nestled amongst some very textural planting!
Say what you like about Phormiums (@garden_ninja_lee I’m looking at you 👀), but Platts Black is one of my favourites and adds such good contrast here.
Sneaky @inlite_global lights tucked into the scheme too. 🙌 @landscapeplus_uk
One of my favourite details is how the decking step seamlessly becomes the bench seat for the dining table.
A lot of work went into putting a planter in this raised decking but it is totally worth it to bring planting close to the house!
Well done @benjaminrichardpope as I know it’s not as easy as it looks 😂
Who doesn’t love a top down view? Shows the proportions perfectly 👌.
A mini oasis amongst many empty looking terraced gardens!
The planting was only done in June this year, so give it time and it will all come on even more. Amazed it’s done this well with this summer!
Also I know some people wait a couple years before photographing gardens, but who’s got the patience?! It looks great so it’s getting put out there 😂...
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Can’t wait for @yeoorganicgarden festival 🪴. I will be there on Thursday the 17th September alongside an impressive lineup of speakers!
I’m giving a talk on gardening on the wild side and I’ll also be on a panel discussion with some gardening greats!
Come along to @tauntonfs this weekend. I’ll be there doing a talk on transforming small gardens on a budget, a gardeners question panel, and my design doctor drop in, where I will diagnose your garden problems and give you design led treatments to solve them!
I’m also judging the designer gardens again this year, which I can’t wait to see.
This weekend - Friday 7th & Saturday 8th August.
Come and say hello if you see me! Check out the @tauntonfs page and website for more details.
Come along to @tauntonfs this weekend. I’ll be there doing a talk on transforming small gardens on a budget, a gardeners question panel, and my design doctor drop in, where I will diagnose your garden problems and give you design led treatments to solve them!
I’m also judging the designer gardens again this year, which I can’t wait to see.
This weekend - Friday 7th & Saturday 8th August.
Come and say hello if you see me! Check out the @tauntonfs page and website for more details.
Had an overdue maintenance visit for one of my projects and the Taxus topiary balls had become too shaggy! It’s one of the most satisfying jobs to do as they look so crisp when surrounded with flowering perennials.
More regular clipping is key as the plant focuses the new growth into making the tight shape rather than straight out!
Some of the perennials have been struggling with the heat but on the whole it’s looking good considering!
Had an overdue maintenance visit for one of my projects and the Taxus topiary balls had become too shaggy! It’s one of the most satisfying jobs to do as they look so crisp when surrounded with flowering perennials.
More regular clipping is key as the plant focuses the new growth into making the tight shape rather than straight out!
Some of the perennials have been struggling with the heat but on the whole it’s looking good considering!
@toolstation_uk are now stocking @stihlgb tools. If you’re like me and often need things last minute, you don’t have to panic and drive all over the place trying to find something in stock. Toolstation will have a huge range of stock available for next working day collection.
Thanks to the Launceston branch of Toolstation for putting up with my shenanigans 😂
@toolstation_uk are now stocking @stihlgb tools. If you’re like me and often need things last minute, you don’t have to panic and drive all over the place trying to find something in stock. Toolstation will have a huge range of stock available for next working day collection.
Thanks to the Launceston branch of Toolstation for putting up with my shenanigans 😂
@flo_the_gardener and I had a right laugh filming this one. Plenty of swooning around the garden pretending we were in a period drama! I probably should have been wearing a top hat and tails?
The key to bringing this theme to life was the mix of structural evergreens paired with some traditional favourites like Hydrangeas, Roses, Wisteria and Lavender.
The team did an amazing job on the build as always @suzie_topping_pm 🙌. It’s the little details like the brick edging and the angled overhangs on the pergola that give it that traditional feel.
@flo_the_gardener and I had a right laugh filming this one. Plenty of swooning around the garden pretending we were in a period drama! I probably should have been wearing a top hat and tails?
The key to bringing this theme to life was the mix of structural evergreens paired with some traditional favourites like Hydrangeas, Roses, Wisteria and Lavender.
The team did an amazing job on the build as always @suzie_topping_pm 🙌. It’s the little details like the brick edging and the angled overhangs on the pergola that give it that traditional feel.
This garden rescue was a personal favourite as I absolutely love tropical planting! What was even more amazing is that Barbara already had collected LOADS of amazing unusual plants. I just had the joy of arranging them in a new design.
This style of garden requires you to play with the wide range of texture and really consider how these plants work together. Luckily I had @garden_ninja_lee to help me and despite his hatred for Phormiums 😂, we both trust each other to run with it when it comes to setting out. It really helps to take the load off when you have a big build like that!
Some of my personal favourites for big leaves in this are the Catalpa, the Paulowinia and Tetrapanax.
ALSO who else loves that water feature?!
Thanks as always to the team managed by @benjaminrichardpope 👌
Watch @gardenrescueofficial S11 Ep7 Coventry on @bbciplayer now.
This garden rescue was a personal favourite as I absolutely love tropical planting! What was even more amazing is that Barbara already had collected LOADS of amazing unusual plants. I just had the joy of arranging them in a new design.
This style of garden requires you to play with the wide range of texture and really consider how these plants work together. Luckily I had @garden_ninja_lee to help me and despite his hatred for Phormiums 😂, we both trust each other to run with it when it comes to setting out. It really helps to take the load off when you have a big build like that!
Some of my personal favourites for big leaves in this are the Catalpa, the Paulowinia and Tetrapanax.
ALSO who else loves that water feature?!
Thanks as always to the team managed by @benjaminrichardpope 👌
Watch @gardenrescueofficial S11 Ep7 Coventry on @bbciplayer now.
