Garden Designer and Plantswoman based in Hobart Tasmania
Welcome
Garden Design
I offer a full design service, starting from scratch or working with what you have. A full design can include: Organising a survey of the property if required. Conducting an extensive briefing with you to find out everything I need to know to design a garden that will meet your needs and expectations. Development of a sketch plan and colour concept plan. Hard Landscape plan so that you can construct the garden yourself or put out to tender. Planting Plan, Schedule, Soil Preparation, Planting Information and Maintenance guide. I can also assist with the project, liaising with the landscape contractor, sourcing the plants, planting and establishment, as well as on going maintenance.
Planting Design
You may already have the hard landscaping in place but need help with selecting and establishing the plants. I will identify your existing plants and help you decide what to keep and what needs to go. I will then select plants that will suit your site and tastes and rework the garden until it becomes a thing of beauty! This will usually include soil improvement, weed management and mulching so that your plants will get off to a flying start and reduce maintenance.
I can meet with you at your property to discuss your specific needs, identify opportunities and give advice of a fairly general nature. We can also discuss the design process, options and alternatives so that you can decide if you would like to commission a design or continue with specific advice that you can implement yourself over time.
My rate for an onsite consultation is $120 per hour, including travel time. A standard consultation includes approx. 1.5 -2hrs onsite, as well as a follow up report with detailed notes, landscaping or plant recommendations, soil preparation advice and weed management.
Specialised Gardening
Whilst I don’t have any time to do gardening for others anymore, I am happy to suggest and direct suitable young gardeners to you.
I can also advise you on how you can improve existing plantings with soil improvements, mulching, pruning and shaping, moving, dividing and adding new plants.
About
I’m Susan, I live in Moonah with my husband, Cameron, two teenage daughters, two Schipperkes and a few chickens.
We have a large block, with a lovely perennial garden which I open to the public occasionally. Most of the photos on this site are of my own garden.
I also like to propagate many of my favourite perennials and grasses that I have collected over many years for use in my own and in clients gardens.
I have a Diploma in Landscape Design, Certificate III in Horticulture and B.A. Fine Art.
If you do not require a full design, I can help you with suggestions, information and design and planting ideas for you to take your garden to the next level. The consult usually involves an onsite meeting of around 2 hours and is followed by a detailed written report outlining the suggestions and information discussed, and may include small detail drawings, planting suggestions and images, soil preparation advice and planting instructions.
Consultations are charged at an hourly rate of $120.
INITIAL DESIGN CONSULTATION
The initial design consultation fee is $250, plus travel if out of town.
This consultation takes around 1.5 – 2 hours, on site.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the extent and scope of your project, get to know each other, discuss the design process and view my portfolio. I will also offer lots of helpful suggestions and things you can do with your garden while you are waiting for a design.
I will also provide you with a detailed written quotation.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN SERVICES
Design fees can range from $1900 for a single area to approx. $3800 for a standard sized block with front/back/side gardens. Each site is quoted individually and is determined by the complexity, size, number of features required (e.g. retaining walls, pergolas etc)
The design fee is calculated after the initial design consultation and is a set fee.
A survey is usually required unless a comprehensive survey is already available.
My surveyor will provide a separate quote for the survey as required.
A full design service includes:
Site visits at each stage of the design (approx. 5 visits)
Hand drawn sketch plan shows initial design ideas and how the garden will come together and the placement of features.
Hand coloured concept plan
Hand coloured concept plan includes a visual depiction of the proposed garden, description of planting, materials, infrastructure and will give you a good sense of how the garden will be, once completed. It will be rendered in colour and will include plan views and elevations, if required, as well as images of materials, concepts and plants.
Hard landscaping plan, which will show dimensions, materials, levels and design concepts in order to obtain quotes and to be constructed. It will include irrigation and lighting design as required. Some structural elements may need to be designed by appropriately qualified persons and may require council approval.
Contact list of suppliers, landscape contractors etc.
Planting Plan – All plants selected and shown on the plan.
Planting Schedule (list of all plants, numbers, where to source, maintenance), with image gallery of the plants, general maintenance guide and soil preparation advice, specific to your site.
Susan McKinnon 