Every project starts with a simple idea - creating a garden that actually works for how you want to live.
That might be a complete blank canvas around a new build, or an existing space that just isn’t doing what it should. Either way, good garden design is about more than how it looks. It’s about how it feels to move through it, use it, and spend time in it.
Based in Devon, Greenbook Landscape Design designs gardens across the UK, working with homeowners, architects and developers to create thoughtful, well-resolved outdoor spaces.
Some clients want a full design package. Others come to us for a specific stage of the process. We can shape the service around what you need.
We typically work on projects where a thoughtful, well-developed design can make a meaningful difference to the space.
A Garden Designed Around You
No two gardens - or clients - are the same.
Some people want a space for entertaining, some want somewhere quiet to retreat to, and others need something that works for a busy family life. Most want a bit of everything.
The starting point is always understanding how you want to use the space. From there, the design builds outwards - creating structure, flow and atmosphere that fits your lifestyle.
While we’re based in Devon, the design side of what we do isn’t limited by location.
We regularly work with clients across the UK, developing detailed garden designs remotely and collaborating with architects, contractors and project teams to bring them to life.
For projects in the South West, we’re often more hands-on throughout the build. Further afield, we focus on delivering a clear, well-resolved design that can be implemented by your chosen contractor.
How the Design Process Works
Every project is slightly different, but the overall process follows a clear structure, taking you from initial ideas through to a design that can be built properly.
We start by visiting the site (or meeting remotely if needed), getting a feel for the space and understanding what you’re trying to achieve. It’s a chance to talk things through properly - what’s working, what isn’t, and what you’d like the garden to become. From there, we’ll put together a design brief and a clear fee proposal.
Before any design work begins, we need an accurate base to work from. Depending on the project, we’ll arrange a professional survey to map out levels, boundaries and existing features. This ensures everything that follows is grounded in reality and can be built exactly as intended.
This is where the design starts to come together. The masterplan focuses on the layout and flow of the garden - how the space is organised, how areas connect, and how it will feel to move through it.
At this stage, you’ll see:
A 2D layout of the garden
Visuals and mood boards
Early ideas for materials and planting
The aim is to get the structure right before moving into the detail.
Planting is what brings the garden to life. We develop a planting scheme that works with the space, the conditions, and the overall feel of the design. Whether it’s something structured and architectural or softer and more natural, it’s always considered as part of the whole.
Once the design is complete, we can prepare a full tender package so contractors can price the project accurately. For clients in the South West, we’re often involved throughout the build - working with contractors, answering questions and making sure the design is delivered as intended.
For projects further afield, we provide everything needed for your chosen contractor to carry the project forward with confidence.
One of the most important parts of good garden design is making sure it actually works when it’s built.
Every design is developed with a clear understanding of construction, levels, materials and how things go together on site. That means fewer surprises later on — and a much smoother build process.
Yes! While we’re based in Devon, we work with clients across the UK on garden design projects. For projects further afield, we focus on delivering a clear, detailed design that can be implemented by your chosen contractor.
It depends on the scale of the project, but typically the design process takes several weeks to a few months. Larger projects, particularly those tied to house builds, can take longer as things develop over time.
Both are possible. Some clients want a complete design from start to finish, while others come to us for a specific stage — whether that’s layout, planting, or refining an existing idea.
For projects in Devon and the South West, we’re often involved throughout the build, working alongside contractors. For projects further afield, we provide all the information needed for your contractor and can offer support where needed.
A good garden isn’t just about how it looks, it’s about how it works. The layout, flow, levels and planting all need to come together so the space feels natural to use and suits how you live day to day.
Ready to Get Started?
If you're planning a new garden, or looking to transform an existing one, we'd love to hear about it.
Get in touch to arrange an initial consultation and start shaping your project.
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.
