Like a lot of professionals, I wear more than one hat. I have ones that variously read Garden Designer, Garden Consultant, Gardening Teacher, Gardening Speaker and Gardening Writer on the brim.
You may well ask if it matters which hat I’m wearing when you ask me for gardening advice. There are certainly some cross-over skills and knowledge, and the interplay between these allows you to benefit from all the appropriate ones.
But the hat reference is critical.
I also have hats with other descriptions on the brim. Planting Designer, Gardener, The Boss and a somewhat dusty Landscape Gardener one. This latter doesn’t get used these days, as other landscapers to call upon. In fact, the Gardener hat only comes out infrequently as this branch of Plews now only does specific garden maintenance, such as fruit tree pruning.
Gardening hats are useful on hot sunny days and cold wintry ones, but where is this meander getting us? Let’s put aside the Gardening Teacher hat for now, Plews Gardening Lessons are discussed elsewhere, as is Gardening Speaker. And I think you can work out that Gardening Writer is currently the one on my head!
I’m often asked “What makes a Garden Consultant different to a Garden Designer?””
The short answer is that the consultant is called in to deal with a specific problem whilst the designer is asked to consider the garden as whole. Yes, I’m aware that planting designs and designs for specific areas such as kitchen gardens are possible, but for clarity we’ll refer to all of these as garden design. The approach of these professional must be different as you, the Client, have different requirements that need to be met.
Okay, I can see some of you at the back looking slightly bemused at the different gardening names that have been mentioned. The green industry that is horticulture and related aspects covers a wide range of professions. Some of them are interchangeable, some are not.
Here follows a list – not necessarily a definitive one – in alphabetical order: –
- Aboriculturalist
- Garden Consultant
- Garden Designer
- Gardener
- Gardening Teacher
- Horticulturist
- Landscape Architect
- Landscape Designer
- Landscape Gardener
- Landscaper
- Maintenance Gardener
- Plantsman / Plantswoman
- Tree Surgeon
And here’s brief outline of some of the above, because with many of us wearing three hats at a time, I appreciate it can be confusing knowing where within the green profession we ‘fit’.
Gardener
This is a large category, with sub-divisions. However, as a general definition, gardeners look after and maintain gardens, specifically the plants. They should have at least a reasonable plant knowledge; many will be excellent horticulturalists. A good gardener will understand about soil types, recognise and know how to deal with a range of garden pests and diseases.
Landscaper
Landscapers are the hard landscaping experts. Hard landscaping includes patios, drives, decking, fences, pergolas and so on. They should know the relevant legal requirements, for example SUDS compliancy for driveways and front gardens. However, they may know nothing about plants, or indeed how the different elements of a garden work together. This is the category where you’ll find specialists such as dry stone wallers, stone masons and so on.
Landscape Gardener
Some would say they are the same as landscapers, but this isn’t always so. The addition of the word ‘gardener’ is the giveaway. These will be the guys who lay lawns as well as patios, who ask if you’d like a down pipe and connected water butt attached to the new shed. As with landscapers, they may or may not have design training.
Landscape Architect
As with architects for interior spaces and buildings, landscape architects spend many years training. They design larger and public spaces rather than domestic gardens. Their expertise also covers landscape planning, environmental impact analysis among other disciplines and many specialise in one area.
Garden Designer
A garden designer knows about spatial design – the term describing how plants, patios, and so on will work both as separate elements and together to create a whole. They are a creative person with the ability to see the practical requirements and incorporate all these into a finished garden design that meets the Clients’ requirements, needs and budget.
Garden Consultant
This person is likely to have gained their knowledge and expertise through working in one or more areas of the gardening, horticultural and landscaping professions for a minimum number of years. They may have various qualifications as well as experience and be a member of a recognised body.
Their brief from you will be to look at your gardening problem, whether that is plants, patio or a planning issue. Then to give you their written opinion or report stating the situation and giving recommendations to resolve the problem.
One of the above professionals giving you advice in their area of expertise is more than acceptable. But did you know that anyone can give you garden advice, or claim to be a consultant, even if they’re not experienced or qualified?
A professional Garden Consultant should ideally be a member of a recognised organisation, such as the Professional Garden Consultants Association, PGCA. Then you have the reassurance that they have met certain standards.
But how is a Garden Consultant different to a Garden Designer?
Their approach to your garden, how they perceive it, is different. When you ask the Consultant to resolve a problem you have with your garden, they are asking different questions, looking from a particular angle, as their brief is to resolve a particular issue which you have.
This is not just ‘putting on another hat’ (yes, the hats are back). It is about being trained to use their existing skills to look with a new eye. Of being aware of the law as it affects drives, trees, conservation areas, contracts between you and a landscaper and more.
A Garden Designer will consider your garden as a whole, even if they’re only designing a part of it. They know that changing one element will have consequences on the rest of the garden. For example, planting trees as a windbreak may cast shade on a previously sunny area, which may then need replanting with more appropriate plants.
A Garden Consultant will look at your whole garden if that is within the brief, or if they feel it will help them to more fully understand the specific problem you have. But their focus is on your gardening issue rather than on your garden.
How do you know who you should call when?
An example to explain when a garden consultancy visit and report would be more appropriate than a garden design.
Question / Issue
You may have
- wobbly raised decking outside your patio doors
- rather sickly-looking shrubs
- a lawn that is sodden even during summer
Should you call in a Garden Consultant or a Garden Designer?
Answer
If the decking was recently completed and you want the landscaper to make good, then a Garden Consultant would be the appropriate professional. They could also review the shrubs’ health and establish why the lawn is sodden. Tell the Garden Consultant what your problem is so that they know they have the correct knowledge and experience. Members of the PGCA (like myself) will either consult with other members or pass work on if that would be in the clients’ best interests.
However, if its old decking, then a Garden Designer should be able to deal with all of those issues. If they’re not sure about one element, perhaps the sodden lawn, and would like a second opinion, then calling in a Garden Consultant would seem logical.
Garden Consultant, Garden Designer, Landscape Gardener, Gardening Teacher, Gardener…
There are times when having a garden professional with a wide range of experience is the best choice for your gardening problem. This is one of the reasons why, having been invited to join the PGCA, I did just that. It has enabled me to become a better consultant which is to your advantage.
Another bonus has been the occasional collaboration with another PGCA member. Not only does the client benefit but we both learn something new too!
and finally
For further gardening advice and inspiration, ideas for edible gardens and more, check out Plews Potting Shed blogs, including the selection below You could come and find us on Instagram – @plewsgd Pinterest and Facebook too.
And on that note, you can have a peek at my new garden in the Instagram account @spitfiresandslowworms
If you’d like some personal help, we offer a mix of practical sessions and theory in our bespoke Gardening Lessons and Courses. There’s a blog link below plus a pdf download with more info
Related Gardening articles you may enjoy from our Award Winning Blog
Should You use a Garden Designer?
Moving Gardens when you Move Home – Things to Know, Tips and Ideas
Is Yours a Shady or a Sunny Garden?
What is an Ornamental Edible Garden?
Tips on Choosing Seating for Your Garden
