to clients old and new. I find as a working designer I am constantly reappraising my approach. I am always learning new things about plants and being inspired all over again by anything from a garden at Chelsea to an urban courtyard in Hong Kong to a long overdue visit to Stourhead. I feel that this blogsite allows me the flexibility to update and to share. But it is also for you to know me. So to check out my CV click on About Me. For samples of my work click on My Portfolio under Links. For seasonal advice and interest click on Garden Confidential. You'll find pretty much everything you want to know, but if there's anything else about me or particularly about your garden just send me an email, and I will respond on return. Look forward to hearing from you.
For all new garden design contracts, I always make a time to visit YOU in your garden. This is a free visit and allows you and me to see that we are all on the same wavelength. I will give you a verbal quotation for the design and confirm with a written one on my return. Generally I charge £500.00 for an average-sized garden. Larger estates that necessitate more drawings are charged proportionately. On acceptance I will come back to prepare a survey/ site analysis which includes measuring the area. It also gives us both the opportunity to discuss any further thoughts that we might have had. My next step is to design and put together the presentation plan, which is in colour and to scale. See samples in My Portfolio - Design and Planting Plans. When completed I will bring it over and go through the design with you. Once the design has been approved, I am happy to use my contractors to give you a quotation for the construction or equally for you to choose your own. For all further visits to the site during construction I charge an hourly rate of £50.00 per hour The final step is the Planting Plan. My design will have indicated tree, shrub and herbaceous planting areas but will not have specified plants. Some clients like to do their own which is fine. Alternatively I can do it for you, see My Portfolio - Design and Planting Plans. For examples of my planting schemes see My Portfolio - Planting Partnerships (photos of plantings I have done). The advantage to you is that I will source and supply the plants as well as lay them out in situ. I hope this covers all your questions but if not please do contact me at amwand@btinternet.com
Tulips are in the nurseries! Check out Garden Confidential Spring Issue 2008 - the whole issue was devoted to tulips and I think you'll find jolly helpful when choosing your own