A big change has happened in the Greenbook world – we’ve moved! Both the business and our
lives have made the exciting journey down to Exeter, Devon, a place that’s close to our hearts. It’s
also where Chris first picked up his gardening tools and discovered his passion for all things
gardens.
With its rolling moors, stunning beaches, and arguably the best countryside views in the UK, Devon
feels like the perfect location for Greenbook to thrive. This county has always held a special place
in our hearts, and we’re thrilled to bring our garden design expertise back to the homeland. We
can’t wait to dive into some truly amazing projects here! So, if you’ve got a garden in need of
creative inspiration, please get in touch – we’d love to hear from you.
Why Move To Exeter Now?
Moving to Devon has always been on the cards for us, but we finally took the leap in 2024. It’s a
decision that feels right both personally and professionally. Exeter and the surrounding areas
provide endless inspiration for creating beautiful, nature-connected spaces – and we’re ready to
bring your garden dreams to life in this incredible region.
What Does This Mean for Our Garden Design Work?
While our home base has shifted, our commitment to garden design excellence remains the same.
We’re still here to help transform your outdoor spaces, wherever you are. However, there’s one
small change: we may not always be able to build the spaces we design for you if you’re located
outside the South West.
Not to worry, though – we have some trusted professionals further up the country who can turn our
designs into reality. So, no matter where you are, don’t hesitate to reach out!
The majority of our work moving forward will be South West-based, with a particular focus on
Devon. Whether it’s an urban retreat in Exeter or a sprawling countryside estate, we’re excited to
create spaces that perfectly suit their settings.
Exciting New Garden Design Consultation Service
To make our expertise more accessible, we’re also offering a dedicated Garden Design
Consultation Service. This service allows us to work closely with you to develop ideas, create
plans, and guide your garden transformation. Whether you need full-scale designs or just advice to
take your outdoor space to the next level, we’re here to help.
Let’s Grow Together
This move marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Greenbook Landscape Design, and we’re
so grateful to everyone who has supported us on our journey so far. Whether you’re based in Devon
or further afield, we’d love to collaborate with you on your next garden project. If you are in need
of a garden designer, let’s create something incredible together!
SWIPE to see a new project that I’m very proud of!
This garden was a challenge to design as it had to be designed around some large existing features, mainly the pool, pond, and obviously the strong architectural home. It is all pulled together with some new hard landscaping features, curved pathways and heaps of planting 🪴
This garden was only planted in the middle of this hot summer, so next year it is going to really burst into life!
The main features of the design are a curved cantilevered @millboard_live_life_outside deck, overhanging the revitalised pond. @johnstonelandscapes did an amazing job of this.
Masses of new planting, both front and back, help to ground the house into its surroundings.
The existing trees are now underplanted with a matrix of woodland edge plants!
There’s an edible meadow alongside the deck. Taking inspiration from the RHS Chelsea garden I co-designed with @sidhillecogardens
A favourite piece is a bespoke curved iroko bench that I built with my main man Joe, this wraps around a stunning fire pit and some precision radial setts that @johnstonelandscapes installed.
The driveway has been re-worked with large Fagus topiary and contemporary block planting of grasses. Then a shady overhang with picture frame windows into the house is underplanted with a shade loving matrix and tree ferns. I can’t wait to see this develop in time.
@johnstonelandscapes & I have worked together for a few years now, making the build such an enjoyable and collaborative process, and of course they tackled any on site challenges with ease. Thanks @johnstone_landscapes_jake 👌
SWIPE to see a new project that I’m very proud of!
This garden was a challenge to design as it had to be designed around some large existing features, mainly the pool, pond, and obviously the strong architectural home. It is all pulled together with some new hard landscaping features, curved pathways and heaps of planting 🪴
This garden was only planted in the middle of this hot summer, so next year it is going to really burst into life!
The main features of the design are a curved cantilevered @millboard_live_life_outside deck, overhanging the revitalised pond. @johnstonelandscapes did an amazing job of this.
Masses of new planting, both front and back, help to ground the house into its surroundings.
The existing trees are now underplanted with a matrix of woodland edge plants!
There’s an edible meadow alongside the deck. Taking inspiration from the RHS Chelsea garden I co-designed with @sidhillecogardens
A favourite piece is a bespoke curved iroko bench that I built with my main man Joe, this wraps around a stunning fire pit and some precision radial setts that @johnstonelandscapes installed.
The driveway has been re-worked with large Fagus topiary and contemporary block planting of grasses. Then a shady overhang with picture frame windows into the house is underplanted with a shade loving matrix and tree ferns. I can’t wait to see this develop in time.
@johnstonelandscapes & I have worked together for a few years now, making the build such an enjoyable and collaborative process, and of course they tackled any on site challenges with ease. Thanks @johnstone_landscapes_jake 👌
My favourite late summer colour plants in this scheme are: Echinacea ‘Pretty Parasols’ Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Alba’ Scabiosa columbaria Obviously the Salvia too 😂
This is one of my recently planted gardens on the edge of Dartmoor.
The clients wanted colour and that’s what they’ve got! Perennial colour through the seasons with some evergreen shrubs and topiary to keep the scheme strong through winter.
The stonework and hard landscaping provides such good structure to show off the planting. Can’t wait to see it develop next year.
Some people hate yellow flowers for some reason… What do you think? (I love them 👌)
Plants from @foliumandflosplants Photos by @jacobgibbinsphoto
My favourite late summer colour plants in this scheme are: Echinacea ‘Pretty Parasols’ Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Alba’ Scabiosa columbaria Obviously the Salvia too 😂
This is one of my recently planted gardens on the edge of Dartmoor.
The clients wanted colour and that’s what they’ve got! Perennial colour through the seasons with some evergreen shrubs and topiary to keep the scheme strong through winter.
The stonework and hard landscaping provides such good structure to show off the planting. Can’t wait to see it develop next year.
Some people hate yellow flowers for some reason… What do you think? (I love them 👌)
Plants from @foliumandflosplants Photos by @jacobgibbinsphoto
I’m very proud of this garden. I only planted it a few months ago and it is now flourishing! This garden was all about the planting and I think it compliments the surroundings perfectly.
This is just a small section of the garden. Shall I share some more?!
I’m very proud of this garden. I only planted it a few months ago and it is now flourishing! This garden was all about the planting and I think it compliments the surroundings perfectly.
This is just a small section of the garden. Shall I share some more?!
It took a lot of head scratching to get it right but I’m so proud of how this bench turned out. Joe and I spent a couple days making this, using Iroko boards that tapered out to the radius of the seating area.
All fixings are hidden and screwed from the steel behind. Lovely curved steel frame made by @taurusfabrications
The fire pit is the perfect centre piece for it.
@johnstonelandscapes @johnstone_landscapes_jake have now finished even more landscape works around it so I can’t wait to share more clips with you soon.
Would you like one of these in your garden? Or do you prefer something more traditional? Let me know!
It took a lot of head scratching to get it right but I’m so proud of how this bench turned out. Joe and I spent a couple days making this, using Iroko boards that tapered out to the radius of the seating area.
All fixings are hidden and screwed from the steel behind. Lovely curved steel frame made by @taurusfabrications
The fire pit is the perfect centre piece for it.
@johnstonelandscapes @johnstone_landscapes_jake have now finished even more landscape works around it so I can’t wait to share more clips with you soon.
Would you like one of these in your garden? Or do you prefer something more traditional? Let me know!
My Dad lives with paranoid schizophrenia, which can be quite severe at times. In a time when mental health and wellness is mainstream, serious mental illness is still often misunderstood and rife with stigma.
Being a schizophrenic doesn’t define my Dad as a person, but it has impacted his entire life, leaving him unable to work and often getting himself in unfortunate situations, or sectioned for long periods of time. Whilst this is his situation, many people with schizophrenia do manage to work and hold down a more ‘normal’ lifestyle.
Some common symptoms of schizophrenia are: Paranoia, delusions, visual or audio hallucinations, muddled thoughts, lack of motivation, difficulty with social interactions. Just to name a few.
It also isn’t as simple as someone having the same symptoms every day of the year. It’s common to have up and down periods, where the symptoms and behaviours may become more extreme. Sometimes leading to a state of psychosis where someone needs to be sectioned under the mental health act.
Hopefully this has given some personal insight into schizophrenia. If you need any information or support, please go and check out @rethinkmentalillness ❤️
My Dad lives with paranoid schizophrenia, which can be quite severe at times. In a time when mental health and wellness is mainstream, serious mental illness is still often misunderstood and rife with stigma.
Being a schizophrenic doesn’t define my Dad as a person, but it has impacted his entire life, leaving him unable to work and often getting himself in unfortunate situations, or sectioned for long periods of time. Whilst this is his situation, many people with schizophrenia do manage to work and hold down a more ‘normal’ lifestyle.
Some common symptoms of schizophrenia are: Paranoia, delusions, visual or audio hallucinations, muddled thoughts, lack of motivation, difficulty with social interactions. Just to name a few.
It also isn’t as simple as someone having the same symptoms every day of the year. It’s common to have up and down periods, where the symptoms and behaviours may become more extreme. Sometimes leading to a state of psychosis where someone needs to be sectioned under the mental health act.
Hopefully this has given some personal insight into schizophrenia. If you need any information or support, please go and check out @rethinkmentalillness ❤️
The brief for Charlie & I was to make a wild Welsh inspired garden for a young family to enjoy. All with the challenge of a huge existing concrete pad to work around.
Luckily slate chippings cover a multitude of sins and tied in beautifully with the show stopping water feature. Made using slate walling stone by the very talented @landy3614 - it definitely stole the show!
There’s something very satisfying about poking plants into the nooks of a dry stone wall and around the base of the water feature.
The covered pergola gives them somewhere to sit outside even in the typical wet Welsh weather👌
@benjaminrichardpope and the rest of the team did an amazing job on this one! @leighapugh @jimbobs2020 @burdfieldlandscaping 🙌
The brief for Charlie & I was to make a wild Welsh inspired garden for a young family to enjoy. All with the challenge of a huge existing concrete pad to work around.
Luckily slate chippings cover a multitude of sins and tied in beautifully with the show stopping water feature. Made using slate walling stone by the very talented @landy3614 - it definitely stole the show!
There’s something very satisfying about poking plants into the nooks of a dry stone wall and around the base of the water feature.
The covered pergola gives them somewhere to sit outside even in the typical wet Welsh weather👌
@benjaminrichardpope and the rest of the team did an amazing job on this one! @leighapugh @jimbobs2020 @burdfieldlandscaping 🙌
This is my thought process behind setting out this beautiful bed, but the same can be applied to any planting scheme that you’re setting out!
People work in different ways, but generally this is how I approach most of mine.
I forgot to mention the x3 Tree Ferns which will make an amazing feature in the corner of this bed. I can’t wait to see this planting knit together over time.
Big thanks to @johnstonelandscapes & @johnstone_landscapes_jake who are building the garden and have done an amazing job on everything so far. Not far from completion now 🤞
If you have any questions about setting out or plant combos, just drop them in the comments below 🪴
This is my thought process behind setting out this beautiful bed, but the same can be applied to any planting scheme that you’re setting out!
People work in different ways, but generally this is how I approach most of mine.
I forgot to mention the x3 Tree Ferns which will make an amazing feature in the corner of this bed. I can’t wait to see this planting knit together over time.
Big thanks to @johnstonelandscapes & @johnstone_landscapes_jake who are building the garden and have done an amazing job on everything so far. Not far from completion now 🤞
If you have any questions about setting out or plant combos, just drop them in the comments below 🪴
Rearranging some potted plants can make BIG changes to your space…
I’d been growing these Colocasia for a while now and I was finally ready for them to go outside. They can take a while to get going, but when they do they grow SO fast!
I’ve always loved exotic style planting so they fit this section of the deck really well, amongst some of my other favourites. Especially against the water feature.
Colocasia are not hardy at all, so will need to be brought in after Summer! Well worth it though. My bulbs were from @farmergracy (not an ad.) - and they were great quality. 3 bulbs = 3 happy plants.
Rearranging some potted plants can make BIG changes to your space…
I’d been growing these Colocasia for a while now and I was finally ready for them to go outside. They can take a while to get going, but when they do they grow SO fast!
I’ve always loved exotic style planting so they fit this section of the deck really well, amongst some of my other favourites. Especially against the water feature.
Colocasia are not hardy at all, so will need to be brought in after Summer! Well worth it though. My bulbs were from @farmergracy (not an ad.) - and they were great quality. 3 bulbs = 3 happy plants.
