Garden designer in Leeds
I'm Sally Tierney. I studied landscape management at the University of Leeds, and I have been designing private gardens across Yorkshire since 1997.
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Garden design in Leeds, from the soil up
Leeds gardens come in every shape, from long terraced plots and new-build gardens that are little more than a lawn and a fence, to large suburban gardens with mature trees and hedges that nobody has quite known what to do with for years.
The soil varies just as much. Depending on where you are, you might have heavy clay that holds water all winter, or a light, sandy soil over sandstone that dries out after a week of sunshine, and a garden designer who guesses which one you have will get the planting wrong. So I do not guess. I look (and, if it would help, test the pH) before I recommend a single plant.
My degree, a BSc (Hons) in Landscape Management and Technology, is from the University of Leeds, so this city is where I learned the theory. The gardens I've designed since 1997 are where I learned what the theory leaves out.
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What working with a Leeds garden designer looks like
Every project starts with a two-hour garden consultation in your garden. We walk round it together, you tell me what is not working and what you would like, and I give you honest, practical advice on the spot. You receive a written summary afterwards, which is yours to keep whether or not you go any further.
The consultation is £300 + VAT, and it covers gardens across Yorkshire, so Leeds costs the same as York. After that you choose how much help you want, from a Bronze layout design to Gold, where I source the plants and oversee the planting as well. If you want the figures first, my page on what a garden designer costs sets them out.
A few of the gardens I've designed in Yorkshire
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Garden design across Leeds and nearby
- Roundhay
- Alwoodley
- Moortown
- Bramhope
- Adel
- Horsforth
- Rawdon
- Guiseley
- Otley
- Ilkley
- Shadwell
- Thorner
- Bardsey
- Collingham
- Wetherby
- Boston Spa
- Chapel Allerton
- Meanwood
If you are not sure whether I cover your area, please just ask.
Reviews from Google
5 from 31 Google reviews
Independent reviews from people whose gardens I have designed.
Competent, conscientious and creative! An RHS employee advised us to use a member of the Society of Garden Designers…because anyone can call themselves a garden designer! Sally has a robust combination of qualifications, experience…and medals, which underpin delivery of a professional yet personal garden design service. Sally has written a book called The Garden Equation, which really resonated with me. Three foundation steps are needed to balance the equation! 1. Experience of the garden - what you want to have, or do, in your garden. 2. Physical conditions - work with nature! 3. Maintenance - tailor the plan to your timeframe! Working through these steps helped us work through our priorities and communicate our preferences. Sally’s objectivity provided us with invaluable insight and a new perspective. Sally’s knowledge and skills have enabled us to transform our space. The gardens were a space we worked in and walked through. Now our two front gardens feel connected, even though they are separated by a road. We feel that our home extends into two beautiful garden rooms, where design underpins purpose and effort is rewarded with enjoyment.
Sally's work was recommended to me initially by a 2 new neighbours, but then we also saw a totally different garden she has designed and really loved the blend of plant knowledge with varied hard landscaping and creativity. Each garden with which she was involved was unique. Our patch was a real challenge for any gardener, having poor drainage, heavy clay, two mature trees just over our fence, and nothing but rough grass. Sally was encouraging, enthusiastic and also realistic. She showed flexibility in her approach, amended the planting as necessary and always communicating clearly and in a timely way. She listens carefully to her clients' needs, hopes and fantasies, and is pragmatic in her approach. She makes clear the various options available, right at the start, so you can commit financially to the level of her input you want with confidence. She's incredibly hardworking when actually creating the garden physically, preparing beds, laying turf sourcing, planting, and she's also very generous with her time and effort. We are thrilled with the transformation achieved in a relatively short time, and cannot recommend her highly enough.
Excellent garden transformation - highly recommend! We're absolutely delighted with the work Sally has done for us. After extending our house, we lost part of our garden and wanted to make the most of the remaining space, but lacked both the time and knowledge to do it ourselves. Sally was recommended to us and she's been wonderful from start to finish. She presented us with thoughtful ideas and options, then took care of arranging all the work, making the whole process stress-free. The result is fantastic - the garden looks beautiful even now in winter, and we're excitedly looking forward to seeing it come alive in spring and summer. We couldn't be happier and would highly recommend Sally to anyone looking for a skilled and reliable garden designer.
Questions about garden design in Leeds
Do you work as a garden designer in Leeds?
Yes. Leeds is within the area I cover from my studio in York, from Roundhay and Alwoodley to Bramhope and out towards Wharfedale, and the consultation fee is the same for gardens anywhere in Yorkshire.
What's the soil like in Leeds gardens?
It depends very much on where you are. Leeds gardens range from heavy clay to light, sandy soil over sandstone, sometimes within a few streets of each other. Knowing which you have shapes every planting decision, and it is one of the first things I check. There is more on my soil health page.
How much does a garden designer cost in Leeds?
A garden consultation is £300 + VAT. Design packages start from £2,000 + VAT, and a full design with a planting plan usually falls between £3,000 and £6,000 + VAT, depending on the size of the garden. My page on what a garden designer costs explains what drives the price.
Which areas around Leeds do you cover?
I cover Leeds and the northern suburbs in particular, including Roundhay, Alwoodley, Bramhope, Adel and the Wharfedale villages. If you are nearby and not sure, just ask.
Book a garden consultation in Leeds
If you would like to talk about what is possible in your Leeds garden, the place to start is a two-hour visit to the garden itself. It costs £300 + VAT, and you are under no obligation to go any further.
Book a garden consultation