What’s the difference between garden design and landscaping?

Although people often use the terms interchangeably, garden design and landscaping are two very different parts of the same project.

Garden design is the creative thinking and planning that happens before any construction begins. It’s about understanding how you want to use your garden and creating a layout that works beautifully, both practically and visually.

As a garden designer, I’ll consider everything from the flow of the space and the relationship with your home to planting, materials, levels, lighting and long-term maintenance. I’ll then translate those ideas into detailed drawings that guide the build.

Landscaping is the construction phase. This is where skilled contractors build patios, walls, paths, steps, pergolas and planting beds before completing the planting and finishing details.

A useful way to think about it is that the designer creates the (very detailed) vision and the landscaper and other skilled trades and craftspeople brings that vision to life. Both are essential, but investing in good design first gives everyone a clear plan to work towards, helping to avoid expensive changes later on.