https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/portfolio-new daily 0.75 2025-05-06 https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/portfolio-new/project-one-frp87 monthly 0.5 2021-03-19 https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/portfolio-new/project-three-6m65k monthly 0.5 2021-03-19 https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/portfolio-new/project-two-s7s42 monthly 0.5 2019-08-22 https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/portfolio-new/project-four-f299f monthly 0.5 2019-08-22 https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/contact daily 0.75 2021-11-05 https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/aboutold daily 0.75 2021-10-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1612553908529-H30926TVCY9JKOSRWOGC/JCH_3360+low.jpg About old I have been designing gardens since 2011 and set up my business in 2016, having achieved a first class honours degree in garden design and a RHS horticultural certificate. So far, I have undertaken a wide range of projects, large and small, across a range of budgets from school gardening projects to a garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. Now, the majority of my work is for private clients looking for multi-dimensional gardens that work with how they want to enjoy their home and garden. Until the launch of this website in 2021, all my work came through personal recommendations. From small town gardens, large country garden schemes to new planting projects, I love my work because every garden project offers opportunities to unlock useful and meaningful contributions to both our happiness and wellbeing and a wider context. Our gardens can and should contribute to the wider need to address climate challenges and biodiversity loss - and still be both practical and gorgeous. I particularly enjoy responding to a site’s perceived ‘problems’ and showing clients the untapped potential their garden has to offer! I see the future of Helen Parsons Garden Design as working with clients and other professionals alike to maximise the use and enjoyment of low maintenance outdoor spaces, allowing clients to get full value from their property. https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/home-1 daily 1.0 2025-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/d11f731d-06b4-49f9-a68c-6ca049bdc408/JCH_3877+2.jpg HOME Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/903d743c-3173-42d7-8032-c9720804a8ee/JCH_2964s.jpg HOME Short - You may be here because you want to change your garden to be more in tune with how you live - adding more enjoyment to your time spent at home. Creating life-enhancing gardens is the core of what I do. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/d00ef2a7-fcbd-4e82-bc18-364a0e5f1066/Southwood+drive+bed+1.jpg HOME Short - Or you may be planning an extension or new home and want your house and garden to work together seamlessly. It is never too early to start planning the outside space around your new house project. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1612553110836-HPU4555BSQ1W4RRJDP7Q/Alliums-at-sunset-low.jpg HOME Short - Whatever it is, building connection with your outside space can be life changing. I work to make the process as enjoyable and inspiring for you as possible. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/c6838865-e126-4212-8001-ee911e82e938/West+Barn+Stipas.jpg HOME Short - I hope this website gives you a sense of who I am and how I approach my work. Please feel free to get in touch about your project, and return here for more information and inspiration. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1640946662069-XCOIIIO195PCWA0VHTGN/Knautia+arvensis+low.jpg HOME Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1640947429933-ZW9FOVPHOVR33UFF7O55/Back%2BGarden%2B1%2B1.jpg HOME Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1634665607543-0CVONUMCCGNEBN7DMIE3/Julia+Hoaen+Photography+2888.jpg HOME Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/aa451d86-7433-4a53-86f1-c43553c029e2/SW-naturalistic-reds.jpg HOME Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/86db5a25-7477-4545-ae9a-75e9c7cd3681/Julia+Hoaen+Photography+2776.jpg HOME Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1641922286889-8BL0T2LBF42OX7VMNX69/Julia+Hoaen+Photography+2795.jpg HOME Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1641924791226-T93VSY2FLLL26395THTP/Chieveley+Patio.jpg HOME Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1641925280380-ULR8K25A0N2LDZ8PK31Q/Chieveley-New-Build.jpg HOME Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1641929386482-P3H55N1SRNM10BVYBWSC/Pergola%2Bproject.jpg HOME Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1641929619230-XIJVTX16EPY1DLYAKI2O/frosted+pittosporum.jpg HOME Short https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1641930577999-90X87DG4NN31MNGZ1BVD/Winch+View+from+Orchard.jpg HOME Short https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/contact-1 daily 0.75 2022-01-11 https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/privacy-policy-jan22 daily 0.75 2025-05-06 https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/about daily 0.75 2022-02-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1612553908529-H30926TVCY9JKOSRWOGC/JCH_3360+low.jpg About - I believe that everyone benefits from time spent in a beautiful, sustainable and biodiverse garden. I have been designing gardens since 2011 and set up my business in 2016, having achieved a first class honours degree in garden design and a RHS horticultural certificate. So far, I have undertaken a wide range of projects, large and small, across a range of budgets from school gardening projects to a garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. Now, the majority of my work is for private clients looking for multi-dimensional gardens that work with how they want to enjoy their home and garden. Until the launch of this website in 2021, all my work came through personal recommendations. I particularly enjoy responding to a site’s perceived ‘problems’ and showing clients the untapped potential their garden has to offer! From small town gardens, large country garden schemes to new planting projects, I love my work because every garden project offers opportunities to unlock useful and meaningful contributions to our happiness and wellbeing. Our gardens can contribute to the wider need to address climate challenges and biodiversity loss - and still be both practical and gorgeous. I see the future of Helen Parsons Garden Design as working with clients and other professionals alike to maximise the use and enjoyment of low maintenance outdoor spaces, allowing clients to get full value from their property. https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/farmhouse-west-berks daily 0.75 2022-01-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/4f90c72f-db8e-404a-9a57-fe0bb99b84b3/JCH_3061s.jpg Farmhouse West Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/2b1e4eb3-2c70-47d8-ab05-325af6823d91/JCH_3042s.jpg Farmhouse West Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/962f105e-5eb1-4f09-ac49-7673f8af9aaf/JCH_2842s.jpg Farmhouse West Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/93e5720a-eb60-46f5-a35f-2b8122145297/JCH_2893s.jpg Farmhouse West Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/be351869-b874-4332-b8ed-1da9154e6b8a/JCH_2933s.jpg Farmhouse West Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/aa3729cd-6a38-4d70-93e9-17ff553858b0/JCH_2944s.jpg Farmhouse West Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/903d743c-3173-42d7-8032-c9720804a8ee/JCH_2964s.jpg Farmhouse West Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/6faff6df-f9f9-4b8e-8bbc-73af13ff71d8/JCH_2873s.jpg Farmhouse West Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/c4accf23-a88a-44db-92ba-a885e8bd5b0f/JCH_3089s.jpg Farmhouse West Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/b8674ce5-65b6-4192-9bdf-14e237ff9640/JCH_3003sc.jpg Farmhouse West Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/3e1ea747-fa81-4dc8-ba71-3f1f31c1df4a/JCH_2838s.jpg Farmhouse West Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/db73c54c-0268-4601-a7a4-4302e8b23f47/JCH_3025s.jpg Farmhouse West Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/a8eb6248-42b4-44ff-b85a-5ec5058baa5e/JCH_3005s.jpg Farmhouse West Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/0a27f4cd-1b1c-4828-8601-af56e8545a57/JCH_3021s.jpg Farmhouse West Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/d2c743a0-df46-46a1-ae2c-8e769d9c3709/JCH_3023s.jpg Farmhouse West Berks https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/portfolio daily 0.75 2025-05-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1641929494494-A3FYLZJDDHSIPKAH6E0X/1.jpg PORTFOLIO Farmhouse, West Berkshire https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1641929566302-72WJHWYRGIRLH834T6OP/2.jpg PORTFOLIO Winchester on Zea https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1641929735604-9UHDGFFGN8WOHLR8CD21/4.jpg PORTFOLIO Berkshire Family Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1641933437051-S9LROY0FET87OMO75OW3/Lato%2BBold-3.jpg PORTFOLIO Sustainable Newbury Garden https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/landscape-plans daily 0.75 2021-11-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1634411163577-T1MO3E457G81FK7K1S9L/InkedMain+app4.jpg Landscape Plans - Planning Permission Some schemes need planning permission in their own right, for example for structures in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas or relating to listed buildings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1634406763172-I2AUPIIVNVC1DZGZJZC5/SK1+Sketch.jpg Landscape Plans - How do the Concept and Landscape Plans differ? Planners are generally looking for specific information on some key matters. What is relevant can vary by planning authority and project. There is often more focus on boundary treatments and what can be seen from the road or public footpaths and how the house will blend into its neighbourhood or wider environment. Your concept plan will generally be more detailed and cover different points that are not areas for concern or interest for planning. Some details in the concept plan may change as the house is built, so keeping the two distinct at the outset means it is less likely that a supplementary plan will have to be submitted for approval. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1634406648759-IRFXRV1GRUHU99KC0UA9/East+Elevation+Drawing+HJP+web.jpg Landscape Plans - Timing The Landscape Plan often needs to be approved before the building work for the house can start. Focussing on the garden with the pressure of a build start date to meet can be difficult for most, especially at a time when they are also working on details on the building with architects. Starting the garden concepts for your outside spaces before you finalise architects drawings for the planning application allows you to work through how the house, drive and garden can all work together to deliver your overall vision of your new home. With an overall concept for your garden in place, production of the Landscape Plan can be worked into the pre-build stage more seamlessly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1634406604360-JY172GGWMB4IS2DDDEX5/LP1+cut+out.gif Landscape Plans - What is a Landscape Plan? It is common for planning permission to have a landscaping condition attached - requiring the submission of a plan that outlines areas of hard landscaping, possibly key materials and showing the position and details of trees and shrubs. This is often accompanied by another condition that if any of the plants listed die within a certain period, they will be replaced. https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/sustainable-garden-newbury daily 0.75 2022-01-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/4cf4089e-aabb-41a2-b17c-363e01a885f0/Sustainable+concept+drawing.jpg Sustainable Garden Newbury https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/0fde396a-5eed-4b5d-8d54-2c1922a1fcf1/Lawn+installed.jpg Sustainable Garden Newbury https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/edcbe729-acd6-47ce-9491-9cfdbe50e2ae/Sustainable-sketch1.jpg Sustainable Garden Newbury https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/24943a14-3574-47e1-9d36-462450dffcdf/Envirolok+no+planting.jpg Sustainable Garden Newbury envirolok installed no planting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/acb16f72-53cb-499d-a77d-c6a5642ff020/Sustainable-sketch2.jpg Sustainable Garden Newbury https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/3d33dc5c-bb26-4950-bb31-fadc960daf3a/envirolok+foundation+row.jpg Sustainable Garden Newbury https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/gravel-garden-winchester daily 0.75 2022-01-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/8ef68ea8-1e58-4cba-8b35-204582a1e3a3/Helen+Parsons+Mulling.jpg Winchester Gravel Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1636046544279-0HIE4694RZSYIAAKMJSA/Ruffell%2BSketches.jpg Winchester Gravel Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/a13f498a-d789-4dd9-89f7-6733cacb7145/Concept+Plan.jpg Winchester Gravel Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/0f2633b5-08e1-453f-b121-cf7862aba06d/Snowy+scene.jpg Winchester Gravel Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/46345b8d-a355-43bb-8ea9-08ac810c6dee/C4+With+Hartwood+Corner+Seat2.jpg Winchester Gravel Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/b851c141-8680-499a-b2fd-7411423994fe/IMG_0871.jpg Winchester Gravel Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/a128dfae-6912-4aca-a151-accb27fd5dd1/Seat+view+crop+3.jpg Winchester Gravel Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/b85b0ceb-0e98-4d5a-9a9e-bd8890bd29c9/Koru2.jpg Winchester Gravel Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/ffb48fd3-0c70-4bef-8279-86a1b4349462/March+8th+montage.png Winchester Gravel Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/ef6d74d6-e70e-45c5-b65a-ac5d40874d86/C4+With+Hartwood+Corner+Seat1.jpg Winchester Gravel Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/870dc10d-f5c7-41cc-a723-e194e0a5de6a/Winchester+crop2.jpg Winchester Gravel Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/0eb1509a-fb49-48d2-b0b6-6c50da41d55d/Lupin2.jpg Winchester Gravel Garden https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/things-to-consider daily 0.75 2021-11-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1614977664715-DDPO20FCW7N0LRICGMCN/Chilterns+Concept.jpg Things to Consider - Your Project How will I keep control of budget? You need to share your budget at the outset of the project and make it clear to the team. If you don’t want your team to make assumptions on things that will cost you money, they have to be in the loop. Being realistic, honest and up front in discussions - saying a budget that is lower than you would be prepared to spend may compromise the design or materials that are suggested to you. Doing the opposite can mean paying for a design that isn’t achievable and paying for changes to be made rather than keeping the design realistic at the outset. You are not expected to have a precise budget, but you will be asked to be prepared to discuss it. You may well be offered options at the outset or during the design process that would mean raising your budget or compromising on different aspect of the design. It is always a good idea to have a contingency: surveys are not x-rays and sometimes work will be needed to address something unexpected. Be prepared to put in time throughout the process and flex your decision making skills! Leaving decisions to the build stage can result in delay, inefficiencies and therefore extra cost. Landscapers are generally patient, can-do folk: but the with timely decision making you will smooth the project, the more all parties can enjoy the process of bringing your new garden into being and the odd unexpected curveball can be better dealt with. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/4f90c72f-db8e-404a-9a57-fe0bb99b84b3/JCH_3061s.jpg Things to Consider - My Ethos Sustainability and people. Sense of place. Collaborative - with clients and other professionals. Common concerns Will you impose a ‘style’ or scheme on me? If you are looking for a designer with a signature style that is applied to every project, then I am not the right designer for you. I listen to clients carefully throughout the design process and my starting point is the creation of spaces for use, flow and atmosphere. The course of each design is different in almost every case, as I work hard to ensure that I am communicating the ideas and options for the garden clearly and honing them carefully as you provide feedback. Some people can read 2D plans, but others find it difficult to get any sense of a scheme until they see sketches. Some people need to be standing in the space to picture and discuss it, others need to touch the plant or crush the leaf to release an aroma which will be fundamental. One of the rewards of my role is seeing the ‘lightbulb moment ‘ in a client’s face, which is a strong motivation to achieve it. It is important to me that clients are engaged and enjoy the design process -the gardens that satisfy me the most are where there has been a real collaboration and exchange of ideas. Will you listen to what I want, like and need? Yes. At every stage. I will probably propose addressing some points in a way you may not have expected - that’s hopefully why you are looking for a designer after all. What is my role as a client - who sees the project through to completion? You will need to allow time to brief me, have meetings and to consider the designs I put forward. I will guide you through decisions, but making the decision cannot be delegated to anyone else without risking achieving a garden that is right for you. As your designer, I will not build the garden nor maintain it. Again, I can offer guidance and advice on this, especially as gardens change over time. How will I look after the garden once it is finished? Will it be hard to maintain? Considering the amount of maintenance for the garden at the outset is very important. No ‘garden’ is ‘no maintenance’: gardening is a process by which we interfere with the natural ecological processes (which is probably more geekiness than you want to read here). The first year after new planting is generally the most demanding for weeding and watering. Thereafter whether it diminishes is mostly dependent on the planting preferences you have expressed. There are a number of strategies to employ in reducing the time and effort involved in looking after a garden, which I can help you with. https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/family-garden-berks daily 0.75 2021-12-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/324cd3fa-2548-42f5-9f78-90ed476660e9/Birds+eye+view1.jpg Family Garden Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/0c7437bb-e105-4a5e-8fb8-c193d656887c/Concept.jpg Family Garden Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/bbf5bc35-a1b4-4222-882a-def477512aac/Birds+eye+view2.jpg Family Garden Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/33d1ae87-1da3-4c68-abe4-7d70f1987585/Ramp2.jpg Family Garden Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/364d7127-59ae-4cfc-a01b-2486f1d6d7e4/Kitchen+door+view+2.jpg Family Garden Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/27fb537d-16ed-44cb-9a01-4de2574a3be1/Back+Garden+1+1.jpg Family Garden Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/04cfa0c3-d4d0-485c-b54f-b18811c73695/Back+Garden+2+1.jpg Family Garden Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/9062e5af-e88c-496b-ba11-5d59aa84d932/Back+Garden+3+1.jpg Family Garden Berks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/da480549-8f16-4606-8d34-b0cd2e3af4b7/Back+Garden+4+1.jpg Family Garden Berks https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/contact1 daily 0.75 2022-01-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/1636135050493-QMJK7U1UCUUKTYD3NWUG/JCH_3522+crop+low.jpg Contact Form1 - Get in touch… Thank you for your interest in Helen Parsons Garden Design. To discuss your project, please complete and submit this form and feel free to add any extra information you think might be helpful. I will initially respond by email. Your details will be used in accordance with my privacy policy. https://www.helenparsonsgardens.co.uk/home-new daily 0.75 2025-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/59eb203c-9f67-476e-bb9d-6909da04a710/Logo+image.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6016a797d5e6a55235d6d291/aa451d86-7433-4a53-86f1-c43553c029e2/SW-naturalistic-reds.jpg