While garden design is where every project begins, bringing that design to life on site is just as important.
Our garden projects work focuses on the delivery and realisation of gardens across Devon and the South West. We work closely with trusted contractors, specialist trades and project teams to ensure the design is carried through properly.
Greenbook Landscape Design tends to work on projects where careful planning, coordination and attention to detail make a real difference to the outcome.
A well-designed garden only works if it’s built well.
We stay closely involved throughout the delivery of a project to make sure that what’s been designed is actually what gets built - not something that’s been simplified or lost along the way.
Depending on the project, this can include:
Working alongside landscape contractors and specialist trades
Reviewing plans and resolving technical details on site
Advising on materials, finishes and construction methods
Monitoring progress to ensure the design intent is maintained
It's about making sure everything comes together in the way it was intended.
Where We Work
Our garden project work is focused across Devon and the wider South West.
This includes: - Exeter and surrounding areas - Dartmoor and rural estates - Coastal properties across Devon and Cornwall
Each of these areas brings its own challenges - from exposed coastal conditions to complex levels and natural landscapes - and the way a garden is built needs to respond to that.
For this reason, we tend to keep our hands-on project involvement within the South West, where we can be properly present throughout the process.
We collaborate with experienced landscape contractors and specialist teams, selecting the right people for each project.
This approach allows us to:
Maintain design quality throughout the build
Bring in the right expertise for different elements of the project
Stay flexible depending on the scale and complexity of the work
We’ll either work with your chosen contractor or recommend teams we trust, depending on what’s most suitable.
From Structure to Planting
Our involvement in garden projects typically covers everything from the structural elements through to the final planting.
This includes what’s often referred to as both hard and soft landscaping:
Paving, walling, terraces and built features
Levels, drainage and groundworks
Planting schemes and soil preparation
Turfing, meadow creation and soft planting
Planting is a particularly important part of the process - it’s what brings the garden to life and softens the structure of the space. We work with trusted suppliers to source high-quality plants and ensure they’re installed properly for long-term success.
Larger & More Complex Projects
Alongside residential gardens, we also have experience working on larger-scale landscape projects.
This can include:
Estate gardens
New build homes and developments
Working alongside architects and project teams
These projects often involve coordinating multiple disciplines to bring everything together into one cohesive scheme.
A Practical, On-Site Approach
Every decision made during the build has an impact on the final result.
Being involved on site allows us to respond to those decisions as they happen, adjusting details where needed, solving problems early, and making sure the garden develops in the right way.
It’s a hands-on, practical approach that ensures the finished space feels considered and complete.
We work closely with trusted landscape contractors and specialist teams rather than operating as a standalone build company. This allows us to stay focused on the design and ensure it’s delivered properly, while bringing in the right expertise for each project.
Yes! We typically remain involved throughout the project, working alongside contractors to ensure the design is delivered as intended and resolving any questions that come up along the way.
Yes, planting is a key part of what we do. We design and implement planting schemes, including turfing and meadow creation, ensuring everything is installed correctly and set up to thrive.
Start Your Project
If you’re planning a garden project in Devon or the South West and want to ensure it’s delivered properly, we’d love to hear about it.
Get in touch to discuss your project and how we can help bring it to life.
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.
Possibly a controversial take, but I think having topiary in a naturalistic planting, makes it even better! Plants from this scheme listed below 🌸.
Whatever the shape may be, the contrast (or juxtaposition if you want to use designer lingo) between the clipped structure and the wild planting, is what really makes the planting stand out.
As humans we crave that contrast. A full field of long meadow grass looks nice, but if it has a mown winding path through it, you’re naturally drawn to that change between neat and wild.
The other benefit for the topiary is that it provides a strong evergreen structure throughout the seasons, always locking the scheme together.
You could do the same with other evergreen plants, and I do that too, but for me nothing beats a crisply clipped Yew!
P.s I haven’t aged…a few years… that’s my legend of a step dad who was out working with me 😂. He loves clipping topiary!
Plants in shot: Taxus (Yew) topiary dome Salvia ‘Caradonna’ Sesleria autumnalis Deschampsia cespitosa
Amongst and around this are also Geum ‘Mai Tai’ Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Alba’ Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ Echinacea ‘Pretty Parasols’ Astrantia ’Large White’
Possibly a controversial take, but I think having topiary in a naturalistic planting, makes it even better! Plants from this scheme listed below 🌸.
Whatever the shape may be, the contrast (or juxtaposition if you want to use designer lingo) between the clipped structure and the wild planting, is what really makes the planting stand out.
As humans we crave that contrast. A full field of long meadow grass looks nice, but if it has a mown winding path through it, you’re naturally drawn to that change between neat and wild.
The other benefit for the topiary is that it provides a strong evergreen structure throughout the seasons, always locking the scheme together.
You could do the same with other evergreen plants, and I do that too, but for me nothing beats a crisply clipped Yew!
P.s I haven’t aged…a few years… that’s my legend of a step dad who was out working with me 😂. He loves clipping topiary!
Plants in shot: Taxus (Yew) topiary dome Salvia ‘Caradonna’ Sesleria autumnalis Deschampsia cespitosa
Amongst and around this are also Geum ‘Mai Tai’ Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Alba’ Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ Echinacea ‘Pretty Parasols’ Astrantia ’Large White’
A load of plants and year to grow can make a massive difference to a garden…
I loved designing and planting up this garden and each time I visit I’m excited to see how the plants are behaving themselves, however not everything goes to plan! There’s always tweaks and changes to be made, but it’s looking pretty good.
The challenge is the weeding, especially in the first year after disturbing the seed bed. It will calm down though now they’re filling out.
Also have everyone’s Geum’s gone crazy this year?!
A load of plants and year to grow can make a massive difference to a garden…
I loved designing and planting up this garden and each time I visit I’m excited to see how the plants are behaving themselves, however not everything goes to plan! There’s always tweaks and changes to be made, but it’s looking pretty good.
The challenge is the weeding, especially in the first year after disturbing the seed bed. It will calm down though now they’re filling out.
Also have everyone’s Geum’s gone crazy this year?!
The smaller the space the more important the details. Every millimetre counts in a garden like this.
Thanks to @the_rhs & @bbctheoneshow I had the pleasure of doing another Pocket Garden Makeover. This year it was for Lewis and Ricky and their 2nd floor balcony that was also their personal sanctuary to escape the worries of the world.
You could tell this is going to be a garden that will be well loved and really make a difference to their lives.
Hopefully it showcases what’s possible in even the smallest of spaces and inspires other people to utilise their outdoor space.
Big shout out to everyone involved from production to build crew 🙌
The smaller the space the more important the details. Every millimetre counts in a garden like this.
Thanks to @the_rhs & @bbctheoneshow I had the pleasure of doing another Pocket Garden Makeover. This year it was for Lewis and Ricky and their 2nd floor balcony that was also their personal sanctuary to escape the worries of the world.
You could tell this is going to be a garden that will be well loved and really make a difference to their lives.
Hopefully it showcases what’s possible in even the smallest of spaces and inspires other people to utilise their outdoor space.
Big shout out to everyone involved from production to build crew 🙌
My camera roll was mostly pics of animals (no surprise there 😂) and a few selfies, so thanks to @duckgardenplantsandposies and @rhizophyllia for the pics of us all on stage!
I had a great time speaking across both days @tobygardenfest and the whole vibe was so relaxed. Thanks @tobybucklandgardens and @sow_much_more for being the best hosts. Plus Lauren & her amazing team who ran the show!
Even instagram royalty @gardenwithjonny was there! We had a very cosy Q&A at the end of a soaking wet final day 😂
@powderhamcastle is the best setting! What other festival has a deer park, the most amazing views and a wetland habitat full of awesome wildlife.
My camera roll was mostly pics of animals (no surprise there 😂) and a few selfies, so thanks to @duckgardenplantsandposies and @rhizophyllia for the pics of us all on stage!
I had a great time speaking across both days @tobygardenfest and the whole vibe was so relaxed. Thanks @tobybucklandgardens and @sow_much_more for being the best hosts. Plus Lauren & her amazing team who ran the show!
Even instagram royalty @gardenwithjonny was there! We had a very cosy Q&A at the end of a soaking wet final day 😂
@powderhamcastle is the best setting! What other festival has a deer park, the most amazing views and a wetland habitat full of awesome wildlife.
This is a project I’m working on at the moment down in Dorset and it’s so exciting. I’m really pleased with these how these perspective sketches turned out as well.
The garden features include a dry stone wall with spouts that feed a floating rill and multiple troughs. The whole garden will have traditional, romantic planting, with a naturalistic twist. A chunky Oak pergola and pleached trees makes the perfect spot to chill out and look across the wider garden.
Plus there’s some lovely hard landscaping details going in! Can’t wait to see it develop.
I do hand draw believe it or not, but it’s on the iPad with Apple Pencil so you still have the flexibility of changing things if you make a mistake!
All of my working plans and 3D models are done on @vectorworks of course.
This is a project I’m working on at the moment down in Dorset and it’s so exciting. I’m really pleased with these how these perspective sketches turned out as well.
The garden features include a dry stone wall with spouts that feed a floating rill and multiple troughs. The whole garden will have traditional, romantic planting, with a naturalistic twist. A chunky Oak pergola and pleached trees makes the perfect spot to chill out and look across the wider garden.
Plus there’s some lovely hard landscaping details going in! Can’t wait to see it develop.
I do hand draw believe it or not, but it’s on the iPad with Apple Pencil so you still have the flexibility of changing things if you make a mistake!
All of my working plans and 3D models are done on @vectorworks of course.
