Before you redesign, replant or invest in your garden, get the direction right from the start
Garden Design & Planting Plans Built Around the Right Plants
30 years designing Irish gardens. Every recommendation grounded in Irish soil, Irish weather, Irish conditions.
Planting First. Everything Else Follows
Planting Is Considered From Day One
In many projects, planting is added at the end.
In my work, planting shapes the structure, atmosphere and long-term success of the garden.
This prevents gardens that look good initially but struggle or feel disjointed over time.
If you’d like to understand the structural thinking behind my approach, see Planting Design & Garden Structure in Ireland.
How I Can Help
Most gardens fall into one of these situations:
1. You need a planting plan
If the layout is already broadly in place, Planting by Numbers is usually the best option. I create a practical planting plan showing what to plant, where to plant it and how to bring the garden together.
- Once the plan is complete, plants can be accurately sourced, priced separately and delivered to your door, labelled to match your planting plan.
2. You need direction
If you are not sure what your garden needs, start with a consultation. We can talk through the space, the problems and the best next step.
Online Garden Consultation
Practical, focused advice on best next steps, delivered online, wherever you’re based. Available Nationally and Interntionally
On Site Garden Consultation
Advice delivered in your garden itself, this visit offers practical guidance and advice on what to do next.
Available in Cork and surrounding areas.
Professional Planting Plans Designed for Irish Gardens
A planting plan is one of the most transformative investments you can make.
A well-designed planting plan transforms how a garden feels, not just how it looks.
Each plan is designed around:
• Soil conditions
• Microclimate
• Maintenance capacity
• Seasonal structure
• Wildlife support
Includes:
• Full plant list
• Scaled layout diagrams
• Plant sourcing options
The Thinking Behind the Work
If your layout is already largely in place, what you may need most is not a full redesign but a clear planting strategy. Read what a planting plan is to understand the difference. If the garden is part of a newly built home, you may also want to read garden planting design for new homes in Ireland.
Practical, Not Theoretical
Every design is grounded in real Irish soil conditions, wind exposure, drainage and seasonal performance.
Established Gardens Respected
If you already have mature planting, we assess what should stay, what should go, and how to build intelligently from what’s already there.
Eco-Friendly & Sustainable by Default
Irish gardens should be alive with birds, insects, scent, and texture. I prioritise:
- pollinator-friendly planting,
- long-term ecological health,
- climate-appropriate choices,
- reduced water use,
- gardens that require less chemical intervention.
Planting Design Rooted in Irish Growing Conditions
Every garden has its own character, soil, exposure and potential.
With more than 30 years’ horticultural experience across Ireland, I design gardens that are:
• Grounded in real plant knowledge
• Built to thrive in Irish weather
• Structured for long-term maturity
This isn’t template design. It’s informed, site-specific garden planning.
If you’d like to understand what influences planting plan pricing, see Planting Plan Cost in Ireland.
Ongoing Support Beyond Drawings
From plant sourcing to contractor guidance, I remain involved to ensure the garden develops as intended.
Garden Design Process
Step 1 Initial Consultation
We assess your garden’s structure, planting, soil, light and priorities.
Not every project needs a full redesign.
Some just need clarity and direction first.
If you’re unsure which option suits you, a consultation is always the right starting point.
Step 2: Garden Planning & Planting Design
I create a tailored planting plan built specifically around your garden - your soil, your aspect and your conditions.
Every plant chosen for a reason. No templates, no guesswork.
Step 3 Implementation Support
Advice on plant sourcing, contractor coordination and budget alignment.
Step 4: Follow-Up & Ongoing Advice
Ensuring the garden develops properly over time
Have questions? Contact us here
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you work outside Cork?
Yes. I’m Cork-based and work across Ireland. Online consultations are available nationwide and in the UK; site visits by arrangement.
What’s included in an online garden consultation?
A focused video consultation to review your photos, measurements and goals, followed by practical recommendations and next steps tailored to your site.
Can you create a planting plan only?
Yes. I offer stand-alone planting plans with plant lists and spacing, designed for Irish conditions. Plant sourcing is available for orders from €2,500
Do you organise contractors?
Yes. I can connect you with trusted contractors or collaborate with your own team to deliver the design.
How long does a full garden design take?
Timelines vary with scope and season, but most small to medium projects move from consultation to final plan within a few weeks.
How much will it cost?
Fees depend on garden size and complexity. Online consultation pricing is shown on the booking page; design fees are quoted after the initial consultation.
Still unsure?
Most garden projects begin with a conversation.
If you're not certain which route suits your garden, tell me about it and I’ll recommend the right next step.
Planting design is where
every garden decision begins
Most garden problems I am asked about: gardens that never quite feel right, plants that fail to thrive, borders that look busy but not balanced, trace back to the planting decisions made at the start. The wrong plant for the soil. The wrong scale for the space. Planting added as an afterthought rather than used to create the structure the garden needed from the beginning.
The pages below cover the planting decisions that matter most in Irish gardens. Whether you are starting with a blank space, working with an existing garden, dealing with a difficult condition, or trying to understand what a planting plan actually involves, you will find the relevant advice here.
"The right plant in the right place is not a happy accident. It is a decision that requires knowing the soil, the exposure, the aspect and the sequence. That is what planting design is."
Planting design advice for Irish gardens
Organised by the decisions most Irish gardeners face. Every page is specific to Irish conditions, Irish soil and Irish growing realities.
Shade, clay, wet soil and wind
Irish gardens present specific challenges that generic planting advice does not address. These pages work through the conditions that most commonly cause planting decisions to fail.
Small gardens, borders and new builds
Structure is what makes a garden feel considered rather than accidental. These pages cover the structural planting decisions that determine how a garden looks and functions long term.
Creating enclosure and screening in Irish gardens
Privacy is one of the most common reasons Irish gardeners invest in planting. Getting the plant choice right for the exposure, soil and space available is where most mistakes happen.
What a planting plan is and whether you need one
Many gardeners are unsure what a planting plan actually involves, what it costs and whether it is the right starting point for their garden. These pages answer those questions directly.
Every planting decision starts below ground
The right plant in the wrong soil will always struggle, regardless of how carefully it was chosen or how well it was planted. Soil structure, biological activity and nutrient retention are what determine whether a planting plan succeeds or simply survives. NutriChar improves the structure of Irish soils, supports the biological activity that makes nutrients available to roots, and helps soil hold and release what plants need. It is not just a feed. It is a foundation. Designed specifically for Irish conditions and built around the same soil-first thinking that underpins every piece of advice on this site.
Before you plant anything in your Irish garden, ask Peter first
Describe your garden, the conditions, what you are trying to achieve and what you have tried already. I will give you a direct answer based on Irish conditions and over 30 years of planting experience. No generic advice. The right direction for where you actually are.
What They Say...
From wildlife-friendly gardens to low-maintenance spaces, I’ve helped countless homeowners create gardens that truly work for them.
“Peter’s expertise turned my blank lawn into a stunning pollinator-friendly garden. His advice and design were invaluable!
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“I'd been putting off the garden for three years. Within a week of getting the plan I knew exactly what to plant and where
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“Peter's garden design completely transformed my outdoor space. His expert advice and attention to detail resulted in a stunning, functional garden that suits my lifestyle perfectly. The Plan and plant sourcing service made the process so easy!
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“Peter came, visited the garden and advised. We didnt need a garden design. Peter made the suggestions, he sourced the correct plants and showed us exactly where to plant and how to layout the beds. I could not be happer with how it has turned out
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