Many people assume that to improve their garden, they’ll need a full garden design, detailed drawings, computer visuals, and a complete overhaul of their space.
But in many cases, you don’t actually need to start from scratch.

If you’re happy with your patios, paths, and lawns, the hard landscaping,  but your borders or beds lack structure or colour, a Planting Plan could be exactly what you need.

As one of Ireland’s most trusted gardening voices and a leading planting design expert, I create both full garden designs and bespoke planting plans. Each serves a different purpose, and choosing the right one depends on where your garden is in its journey.

 

What’s the Difference Between Garden Design and a Planting Plan?

Garden Design, the full package

A garden design is the complete layout of your garden, usually created for new gardens or major makeovers.
It includes everything from the hard landscaping elements (paths, patios, walls, lawns, decks) to the soft landscaping (plants, trees, borders, beds).

I can produce these in several formats depending on what you need:

• Hand-drawn plans: simple but expressive sketches that capture layout and intent.
• SketchUp 3D designs:  to visualise levels and materials.
• Fully immersive 3D visualisations:  ideal if you want to see the finished garden before any work begins.

A garden design is perfect if you’re building a garden from the ground up, changing the shape or structure of spaces, or investing in a full outdoor transformation.

 

Planting Plans, for when the structure is fine

If your garden layout already works,  the paths, paving and lawns are in place but the planting feels tired or patchy, a Planting Plan is the simpler, more affordable solution.

Sometimes called a soft landscaping plan, it focuses entirely on the living layer of your garden: the plants.

A Planting Plan can include:

• Redesign or reshaping of existing beds and borders
• A full plant list with recommended sizes and quantities
• Colour-coded layout plan: each plant represented by a labelled symbol
• Concept Plant Images, to give you a visual idea of plants to be used.
• Optional plant supply quote: so you can have the plants delivered directly to your garden

It’s incredibly easy to follow,  every plant is shown clearly, and the plan includes names and quantities so you can literally plant by numbers.

 

The Process: Simple, Personal, Flexible

Whether you’d like to be involved every step of the way or prefer a hands-off approach, the process is easy and personal.

1. Book your Planting Plan on The Irish Gardener website.
2. Send me a few photos of your garden and a simple sketch of the area to scale, even a rough outline helps.

The better the sketch, the more precise the final plan will be, because it’s drawn directly over what you send.

3. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to talk with me by phone or online if you’d like to discuss your ideas.
   If you prefer a completely hands-off experience, that’s fine too,  I’ll simply get to work and send you your finished plan.
4. Once your bespoke planting plan is complete, I can arrange a quote to supply the plants, delivered directly to your door.

Your garden then becomes as simple as following the plan and enjoying the results.

 

Why Choose a Planting Plan?

For most gardens, the hard landscaping is fine, it’s the planting that’s letting things down.
A Planting Plan gives you the expertise of a professional garden designer at a fraction of the cost of a full redesign.

Key benefits:

• Affordable: far less than a full design project.
• Tailored: specific to your site conditions and taste.
• Practical: easy to follow, perfect for DIY gardeners or contractors.
• Professional: created by Peter Dowdall, one of Ireland’s top plantsmen and planting design experts.
• Optional plant sourcing: delivered straight to your garden so you can plant immediately.

 

Common Misunderstandings

Many people don’t realise that Planting Plans exist as a standalone service. They often think you must hire a designer for a complete rebuild, or that professional planting design is expensive and complicated.

In reality, a Planting Plan is the smart middle ground, it bridges the gap between doing it yourself and commissioning a full-scale garden design.
You get the benefit of expert planting knowledge and a clear, professional plan without committing to construction costs.

 

 

Which Option Is Right for You?

Your situation	Best choice
You’re creating a new garden from scratch	Full Garden Design
You want to change patios, lawns, or levels	Full Garden Design
You’re happy with the layout but want better planting	Planting Plan
You want to refresh one or two beds	Planting Plan
You want to improve colour, texture, and structure	Planting Plan

 

If you’re unsure, start with a Planting Plan. You can always expand it into a full design later.

Bringing Your Garden to Life

Whether it’s a single border or your whole garden, a Planting Plan will bring clarity, confidence, and lasting beauty.
It’s a chance to work directly with one of Ireland’s most trusted gardening voices — someone who knows plants, soil, and the Irish climate inside out.

Learn more or book your Planting Plan today:
https://theirishgardener.com/pages/planting-plans