"Nick and Doug designed our dream garden – colourful, whimsical and forever changing with the seasons. It brings us a great deal of joy, both to look at and to sit in. They listened carefully to what we wanted from a garden and worked very flexibly to ensure that the landscaping was able to slot in with our house build. Their landscaping team were very efficient and friendly and their work was of excellent quality.

Nick and Doug were flexible about delaying the planting until the rest of our build project was ready and it was certainly worth the wait. They hand-picked all of our plants, from the mature trees and shrubbery that make it look so established, to the smaller, colourful herbs and flowers that draw the eye. The result was a garden we will use all year round and admire constantly. We would recommend the Distinctive Gardener to anyone looking to change their outdoor space."

"Dealing with Nick and Doug was (and remains) a delight. We weren’t sure how it would all work or what was possible, but having looked at the space, they encouraged us to describe the kinds of things that make us feel good, how we wanted to use the space, colours that we liked (and don’t like) and so on.

We wanted a sociable space, a focal point and something that looks wonderful during the daytime and at night – lighting was important. There were also a couple of things we wanted to screen. However, we had no idea if this was achievable. They reassured us that it was and, before long, we met again to discuss plans they had drawn up, how the garden would flow, how ugly items (a barbecue) could be tucked away and, although we hadn’t specified this, they felt (rightly) that low maintenance would be important to us. We were blown away by their plans and struggled to believe our garden could look like that.

Having agreed plants (very little input from us – they had listened and clearly understood our preferences), we then agreed a start date for the build. The whole process of design to site clearance, to landscaping, lighting and planting was just so easy and stress free (and on budget).

We love our new garden and much to our surprise, it looks even better than it did on the plans. It brings the outside into our house and feels like a natural (and, we think, beautiful) extension of the living space. We have thanked them several times and we are happy to do so again - we really can’t recommend them highly enough and are so happy that they were recommended to us."

"We presented Nick and Doug with quite a challenge — turning a boring, unused garden into a modern family escape that would still be in keeping with our historic London home.

They certainly delivered: the garden incorporates traditional English garden elements well suited to the brick facade yet has the outdoor kitchen, pond-like pool and colourful plants on our wish list. We love the thoughtful layout and the attention to detail (echoing the flooring inside our home, for instance, and the evening lighting).

However, the standout has to be the layers and layers of gorgeous planting that have us looking forward to each new season. They were undeterred by some challenges particular to the site and were creative problem solvers throughout — a delight to work with. [They’ve done a really lovely transformation of the front garden as well.] Thanks to the Distinctive Gardener, we now spend countless happy hours in our beautiful, multi-functional garden."

“Before I write this, have you seen the ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures? I’d like to say that they speak for themselves. And they do in terms of images but they come nowhere close to helping you understand how this garden has transformed our lives and what a total joy the journey getting here has been.

At our first meeting, Nick arrived in a mustard yellow corduroy jacket and flat cap and I knew we’d get along instantly. We talked through what my husband, kids (all four of them ranging from 13-30 years of age), two cats and beloved dog, Truffle, wanted and both Nick and Doug grasped the brief within minutes. As a designer myself, I knew we spoke the same language and without fail, every single detail we discussed and many we didn’t, took shape. From auto cad designs, to samples to flawless project management, it took five weeks to achieve magic.

Whilst I know quite a lot about interiors, I know less than nothing about plants so I put my complete trust in Nick and Doug to choose the planting and, as many of my friends have said, the result could well have been seen at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. And they are far from wrong. I peer out from my kitchen window each morning and pinch myself with delight. Whether it’s a day spent by the BBQ, in the soft area with a G&T or roasting S’mores on the fire pit, we just can’t get enough of our beautiful garden that blends in with our environment, both inside and out.

Nick and Doug are creative, talented; they are passionate and above everything, they are wonderful, humble, delightful and caring men. They are joyous to be around and I hope they continue to visit our garden, and us, for many years to come. As another testimonial said, “I miss them already…”

Thank you always, Nick and Doug. Can’t wait for our special garden ‘christening’.

"Nick and Doug make a fantastic team and are an absolute delight to deal with. They both had great vision and ideas, pushing us to broaden our horizon but always taking into account our own style.

Many friends have commented that it looks like a garden from The Chelsea Flower Show. It is a haven of tranquility to sit on the terrace in the early morning sun with the paper and coffee and then, at the other end of the day, to gather friends under the pergola to enjoy a fire pit and music.

We wouldn’t change a thing and are thrilled with it. We could not recommend The Distinctive Gardener more highly. "

"Working with Nick and Doug was like a breath of fresh air. We had a ‘so, so’ garden which we only ever looked at from the kitchen, and in no time at all, they turned it into a fabulous living space which we have used all the time over the summer. Not only is it a joy to look out at from the kitchen, but it’s a wonderful place to sit in and entertain, whilst the person cooking doesn’t feel excluded.

They were very collaborative on the designs and our needs, and met any suggestions with enthusiasm. Also, I couldn’t believe how quickly everything was done - it all seemed effortless (although I’m certain it wasn’t!) and everyone was very tidy, dedicated and personable.

To add to this, they are genuinely lovely people with a great sense of humour who clearly love what they do. I wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again. "

"Working with Nick and Doug has been an absolute pleasure. They have truly created a beautiful garden that our whole family can enjoy throughout the year.

I love that they really took the time to understand us as a family. They listened to all of our visions, including our children’s, as to how we would like to use the space. It was evident that they genuinely cared about creating a garden that would reflect our personalities and meet our needs.

On a practical note, despite working to a tight schedule, project management was first class with milestones happening on target no matter the weather. Budget estimates were accurate and costs were clearly explained up front. The degree of professionalism shown here is no small achievement.

The variety of spaces they have crafted in our wrap-around garden is simply outstanding. They have managed to combine traditional British with a bit of Asian so elegantly. They have also created a wildlife area for my nature-loving son. What truly is amazing is that there isn't a single space in our garden that resembles another.

Nick and Doug, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for creating this beautiful garden. It has become an integral part of our family life, a place where we will make so many memories. Your creativity, passion, and genuine care have made this journey a truly remarkable one. We feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to work with both of you."

"From our first meeting with Nick and Doug we knew we were in safe hands! Doug and Nick worked closely with us to ensure all of our requirements, (and many more!), were incorporated into their design. The team they work with are all excellent and a pleasure to have around. One of the main things we wanted to achieve was that the garden felt like an extension of interior - and they certainly achieved that! It was, and continues to be, an absolute pleasure working with Nick and Doug - we can’t recommend them highly enough!"

"We are so thrilled with the garden that Nick and Douglas have created for us. It’s been totally transformed, from a rather unkempt and unloved space in which we rarely spent time, to an inviting and inspiring additional ‘living room’.

We were probably gloriously vague with our brief - the chief requirements being storage large enough to house several bikes plus a booze collection, and some insect friendly plants...

We left it to Nick and Douglas to weave their magic, which they duly did, conjuring up a design both practical and inventive, cleverly addressing the external constraints and considering the flow and look of the house.

The result is a garden which is a delight to be out in but which we know is also going to be a joy to look out on throughout the year. Nick and Douglas have managed to create different themed areas and moods within a relatively small space.

The plants are just fabulous, a real riot of colour and interest, and already proving popular with bees and butterflies, which is such a delight. And the inspired lighting design means we can enjoy our garden long into the night.

Passionate, enthusiastic, caring, can-do and conscientious, Nick and Douglas have been a pleasure to deal with, from start to finish. Not only are we delighted with the result, their expert project management means it’s also been a thoroughly happy process. Indeed, we are missing them already..."

"We gave Nick and Douglas the brief of an eating/meeting room as we run a business from the garden office and enjoy family dinners outdoors.
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My goodness, what they created in our small garden is a wonderful space where every single detail is beautiful to look at and use. Being in it makes us happy and content. We absolutely love it.
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Nick and Douglas are a very special team, talented, intuitive, with an effortless understanding of gardens and an absolute pleasure to work with."

"Nick and Doug have done an incredible job changing our backyard from an uninspiring and impractical gravel pit full of weeds and spiders to a beautiful outside living room.

The designs they came up with were a blend of our brief and their creative ideas. They introduced us to a completely new way of looking at the layout that would never have occurred to us, making the garden much more spacious and multi-use.

The build went perfectly smoothly and all the project management and permitting was handled for us. We're continuously delighted by new blooms in every corner as the seasons change, and they even incorporated a spot for growing fresh veg. We've so enjoyed having our meals and working from our new garden over the last few months!"

"Nick and Doug - we are thrilled with our beautiful new garden. Thank you so much for helping us realise our very own dream garden . Inspirational, creative design and planting - all our friends and family are hugely impressed. It's been a joy to work with you both"

"Quite simply we love our new garden! We cannot thank Nick and Doug enough for what they have achieved. They were an absolute joy to work with- they are extremely modest and unassuming and very amusing- and we almost didn’t want the work to finish as it would mean they wouldn’t be with us quite as much! Nothing ever fazes them- their "can-do" approach is inspirational. Creative, sensitive, imaginative, perceptive and great listeners, they also have great style! Passionate and enthusiastic about their work and determined to make sure that the garden would be completed to the highest of standards, and within budget, we had complete faith in them and it was absolutely deserved. When we started, we wanted just the back garden to be transformed. Now that’s been achieved with such style we’d love them to sort out the front garden and then the whole house too please!"

"So pleased with our new front garden – thank you Nick and Doug! The perfect blend of the contemporary and traditional with some stunning yet low maintenance plants to boot. We love it – thank you!"

"We did not want the front of our home to just be a place for the car, we wanted to have a lovely garden too!

Nick and Doug have given us a gorgeous front garden full of flower and interest.

The cheerful planting has been admired by so many and has given us so much pleasure during lockdown"

"Nick and Douglas are very good at listening to what you do and don't like and designing something you will love. Their team worked so quickly and amazed me how they were able to create a garden that is exactly what I hoped for. I'm excited to see it change through the seasons and mature. All the people involved were really lovely to deal with and I would recommend Nick and Douglas to anyone who is looking to update or improve their garden."

"I want to say a big thanks to Nick and Douglas who transformed my front garden while I was away over Christmas. What an amazing transformation over three weeks. They not only understood my brief of creating an interesting, low maintenance and beautiful space, but their true passion shows in their meticulous and varied planting. It looks stunning already and I cannot wait until Spring brings the flowers into bloom. I can highly recommend Nick and Douglas to anyone considering a new garden as Nick had already worked his magic on my back garden on 2017. "

"From the outset Nick made designing our new garden a straight-forward and enjoyable process. He was incredibly knowledgeable and engaging through the design process, and patient even as we went through multiple revisions as the constraints on us changed. In the space of a few days the garden had been transformed - the range and combination of plants has given the garden a really lush, tropical look - it's like having an extra room in the house."