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023 8178 2660
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Landscape
& Garden Design

About

Great gardens should be both beautiful and functional and we have the creative flair and expertise, coupled with extensive horticultural knowledge to ensure your space will work for you. We provide a comprehensive garden design service and can manage your project from the initial design stages right through to completion. We are also experienced at working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and we have a network of industry experts, such as lighting designers, water specialists and engineers, that we can call on as the project requires.

Our studio is based in the New Forest in Hampshire. We design gardens for private clients from across the South Coast, the Home Counties and London, covering a wide area that includes Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Sussex and Kent. We also work with architects and property developers designing residential, public and commercial projects.

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elkssmith

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Award-winning practice led by Helen Elks-Smith, creating beautiful gardens. Speaker, writer, SGLD Fellow & Judge. ‘Your Garden Made Perfect’ designer.

Midweek Masterclass | Week Three

Continuing my mini masterclass series, where I`m looking at the transformation of a pool garden in Hampshire — re-imagining the landscape around the house and the pool house.

🌿 The problem - the built elements were originally out of balance with the planting. The plants had little connection to the surrounding trees, and the clash of styles created tension — something we usually want to avoid. This pool garden needed to work with its wider landscape, not fight it.   
🌿 The solution  - The design solution was subtle but powerful. The same plants were used again in containers — this time for their form. Their structure echoes the tree canopy beyond, visually drawing the surrounding landscape into the garden and softening the relationship between hard and soft elements.

This is where balance really matters. When hard and soft landscape are in tune, each space feels calm and connected. Views gently invite you onward, rather than pulling you too forcefully. Get that balance wrong, and those connections become demanding, creating restlessness instead of ease.

#GardenMasterclass #LandscapeDesign #GardenDesign #DesignProcess #PlantingDesign #HardAndSoftLandscape #PoolGarden #DesignDetails

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 17868444690552289
Midweek Masterclass | Week Three Continuing my mini masterclass series, where I'm looking at the transformation of a pool garden in Hampshire — re-imagining the landscape around the house and the pool house. 🌿 The problem - the built elements were originally out of balance with the planting. The plants had little connection to the surrounding trees, and the clash of styles created tension — something we usually want to avoid. This pool garden needed to work with its wider landscape, not fight it.    🌿 The solution  - The design solution was subtle but powerful. The same plants were used again in containers — this time for their form. Their structure echoes the tree canopy beyond, visually drawing the surrounding landscape into the garden and softening the relationship between hard and soft elements. This is where balance really matters. When hard and soft landscape are in tune, each space feels calm and connected. Views gently invite you onward, rather than pulling you too forcefully. Get that balance wrong, and those connections become demanding, creating restlessness instead of ease. #GardenMasterclass #LandscapeDesign #GardenDesign #DesignProcess #PlantingDesign #HardAndSoftLandscape #PoolGarden #DesignDetails

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Excited to catch up with friends and colleagues at the @the_SGLD Awards Ceremony this Friday!

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being part of this year’s judging panel with a brilliant group of fellow judges.

Good luck to all the shortlisted designers — some outstanding work this year!

#sgld #sgldawards #gardendesignawards

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18337025329242739
Excited to catch up with friends and colleagues at the @the_SGLD Awards Ceremony this Friday! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being part of this year’s judging panel with a brilliant group of fellow judges. Good luck to all the shortlisted designers — some outstanding work this year! #sgld #sgldawards #gardendesignawards

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A small pond reflecting the sky and surrounding foliage can create a wonderful illusion of space in a garden, drawing the eye outward and lending a sense of calm and depth.

Smaller water features, like this one, provide a clear focal point and bring a contemplative tranquillity to more intimate areas, encouraging visitors to pause, sit, and enjoy the subtle sound, movement and life that water naturally attracts.

One of the great pleasures of garden design is the opportunity to invite wildlife in, and there is no better way to do this than with a pond or pool. Over time, it supports a richer, more diverse ecosystem, teeming with toads, frogs, dragonflies and countless other insects and animals.

Here, the stillness of the reflecting pool adds quiet drama, capturing reflections of the sky and surrounding trees, while the sculptural aloes frame the water with strong, architectural form — grounding the space and adding year-round presence to an ever-changing view.

#gardenpond #waterfeatures #waterinthegarden #gardendesign #isleofwightgarden

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 17847221622642851
A small pond reflecting the sky and surrounding foliage can create a wonderful illusion of space in a garden, drawing the eye outward and lending a sense of calm and depth. Smaller water features, like this one, provide a clear focal point and bring a contemplative tranquillity to more intimate areas, encouraging visitors to pause, sit, and enjoy the subtle sound, movement and life that water naturally attracts. One of the great pleasures of garden design is the opportunity to invite wildlife in, and there is no better way to do this than with a pond or pool. Over time, it supports a richer, more diverse ecosystem, teeming with toads, frogs, dragonflies and countless other insects and animals. Here, the stillness of the reflecting pool adds quiet drama, capturing reflections of the sky and surrounding trees, while the sculptural aloes frame the water with strong, architectural form — grounding the space and adding year-round presence to an ever-changing view. #gardenpond #waterfeatures #waterinthegarden #gardendesign #isleofwightgarden

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Midweek Masterclass | Week Two

Continuing my mini masterclass series, where I`m looking at the transformation of a pool garden in Hampshire — re-imagining the landscape around the house and the pool house.

🌿 The challenge here was that there was too much visual noise and too many competing elements. What should have felt like a welcoming pool space instead read more like a yard — cluttered, complex and lacking clarity, despite some lovely planting at the edges.

🌿 The solution was to design a calm, carefully zoned pool garden where each area is given a clear purpose and balanced with the right volume of planting.

Keeping planting low maintains sunlight around the pool, allows clear sightlines for supervision, and ensures the space feels open, relaxed and connected.

🌿 The result: a pool area where people genuinely want to spend time, relax and enjoy themselves.

#MidweekMasterclass #PoolGardenDesign #GardenDesign #LandscapeDesign #DesignThinking #OutdoorLiving

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18338039515213284
Midweek Masterclass | Week Two Continuing my mini masterclass series, where I'm looking at the transformation of a pool garden in Hampshire — re-imagining the landscape around the house and the pool house. 🌿 The challenge here was that there was too much visual noise and too many competing elements. What should have felt like a welcoming pool space instead read more like a yard — cluttered, complex and lacking clarity, despite some lovely planting at the edges. 🌿 The solution was to design a calm, carefully zoned pool garden where each area is given a clear purpose and balanced with the right volume of planting. Keeping planting low maintains sunlight around the pool, allows clear sightlines for supervision, and ensures the space feels open, relaxed and connected. 🌿 The result: a pool area where people genuinely want to spend time, relax and enjoy themselves. #MidweekMasterclass #PoolGardenDesign #GardenDesign #LandscapeDesign #DesignThinking #OutdoorLiving

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Evergreens quietly doing what they do best in our large New Forest garden.

Softly clipped forms, layered planting and a simple gravel path bring structure, rhythm and calm to this garden edge, guiding you gently through the space while allowing the planting to lead. Even as seasons shift, these shapes hold everything together — grounding the garden and framing views back to the house.

A reminder that good structure doesn’t shout. It supports, balances and lets the rest of the garden breathe.

Photography by @stephenstuddphotography

#evergreens #seasonalgarden #autumngarden #gardendesignnewforest

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 17843113452678100
Evergreens quietly doing what they do best in our large New Forest garden. Softly clipped forms, layered planting and a simple gravel path bring structure, rhythm and calm to this garden edge, guiding you gently through the space while allowing the planting to lead. Even as seasons shift, these shapes hold everything together — grounding the garden and framing views back to the house. A reminder that good structure doesn’t shout. It supports, balances and lets the rest of the garden breathe. Photography by @stephenstuddphotography #evergreens #seasonalgarden #autumngarden #gardendesignnewforest

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*Midweek Masterclass | Starts Today*

I’m often asked where design ideas come from. At its core, garden design is about problem-solving and meaningful change — changes that justify the investment, respect the environment, and are worth the disruption they bring.

Every design begins with the client brief and the site itself. Good design has clarity and reasoning behind every decision, from structure and layout to planting form and scale.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing a Midweek Masterclass series of posts exploring one scheme in detail — starting with site analysis and before images, then revealing how understanding the site shaped the final design.

The design visuals will focus on volume, height and plant form, rather than detailed planting lists — because form is key to how a garden feels. #gardendesigntips #gardendesigneruk #gardendesignideas #gardendesigninspiration #yourgardenmadeperfect

🌿 Join me weekly as the design process unfolds.

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18166330180357810
*Midweek Masterclass | Starts Today* I’m often asked where design ideas come from. At its core, garden design is about problem-solving and meaningful change — changes that justify the investment, respect the environment, and are worth the disruption they bring. Every design begins with the client brief and the site itself. Good design has clarity and reasoning behind every decision, from structure and layout to planting form and scale. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing a Midweek Masterclass series of posts exploring one scheme in detail — starting with site analysis and before images, then revealing how understanding the site shaped the final design. The design visuals will focus on volume, height and plant form, rather than detailed planting lists — because form is key to how a garden feels. #gardendesigntips #gardendesigneruk #gardendesignideas #gardendesigninspiration #yourgardenmadeperfect 🌿 Join me weekly as the design process unfolds.

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Thrilled to be designing this coastal garden for my sister this year.

She loves plants and is a very talented plantswoman so it has to pack a lot in. Every bit of space will be filled with plants including a glasshouse which will be used for growing tomatoes but will also be filled with succulents, pelargoniums and other more decorative delights.

The design is made up of a number of ‘courtyards’ – the central one relates to the house and provides immersive spaces for morning sun through to the last rays in the evening. The outer one has two functions: firstly to create a cool shaded space, habitat for birds and much needed privacy; and secondly as a productive area – nothing beats home grown veg.

To ensure the glasshouse not only looks great but also functions properly it needs to be positioned to catch as much light as possible and to allow it to warm up early in the morning. In small gardens this can be tricky but for plantaholics like my sister having one is a dream and will allow her to grow a whole variety of different plant types.

Construction will begin in the first half of the year, once the house build is complete. Keep following to watch it come to life!

#coastalgarden #coastalgardendesign #productivegarden #smallcoastalgarden

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Open post by elkssmith with ID 18373076476087660
Thrilled to be designing this coastal garden for my sister this year. She loves plants and is a very talented plantswoman so it has to pack a lot in. Every bit of space will be filled with plants including a glasshouse which will be used for growing tomatoes but will also be filled with succulents, pelargoniums and other more decorative delights. The design is made up of a number of ‘courtyards’ – the central one relates to the house and provides immersive spaces for morning sun through to the last rays in the evening. The outer one has two functions: firstly to create a cool shaded space, habitat for birds and much needed privacy; and secondly as a productive area – nothing beats home grown veg. To ensure the glasshouse not only looks great but also functions properly it needs to be positioned to catch as much light as possible and to allow it to warm up early in the morning. In small gardens this can be tricky but for plantaholics like my sister having one is a dream and will allow her to grow a whole variety of different plant types. Construction will begin in the first half of the year, once the house build is complete. Keep following to watch it come to life! #coastalgarden #coastalgardendesign #productivegarden #smallcoastalgarden

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