A complete planting plan, from first conversation to plants delivered to your door.
Your garden, properly planted
Know what to plant, where to plant it, and how many plants you need with a complete planting plan created for your own garden.
With Planting by Numbers, I choose the plants, work out the quantities, and source everything for you, so your garden moves from guesswork to a clear, practical plan.
Planting by Numbers is the planting plan itself, part of my planting-led garden design service. If your garden is in Cork I can visit and design it on site. Everywhere else in Ireland it is worked remotely.
Explore the service · 01 / 03
See how a planting
plan comes to life.
From a drawing you can follow to a garden ready to plant, explore the pieces behind Planting by Numbers.
01 / The plan
Every plant has a place.
The plan turns an idea into a layout you can follow. Trees, boundaries and layered beds are placed together, with plants named on the drawing.
- See the garden as a whole
- See where the planting goes
- Use the accompanying list for quantities and sizes
These published images illustrate parts of the service, not one complete client project. Tell Me about your garden →
Why This Works
Most people who want a better garden get stuck at the same point.
- They know it needs doing. They don't know where to start.
- They're worried about spending money on the wrong plants. They can't find everything they need in one place.
- They start, stop, and the garden stays the same for another year.
This service removes every one of those obstacles.
You get a clear planting plan that shows what to plant, where to plant it and how the garden should come together.
You get the judgement of someone who has been designing and planting Irish gardens for over thirty years."
The result is a clear plan, the right plants, and a practical route from idea to planting.
Whether your garden is laid out or not
I can help either way. Where the layout needs working out, I design it alongside the planting, and the plan still arrives as Planting by Numbers. The only real choice is how we work together.
About Peter Dowdall
Peter Dowdall is Ireland's leading planting design expert. Over 30 years working with Irish gardens, Irish soil and Irish growing conditions.
Regular contributor to RTÉ and national garden media. Every recommendation grounded in real plant knowledge and real Irish conditions.
"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."
Availability
Limited Availability
I take on a limited number of planting projects at a time. If you are hoping to plant this season, it is worth getting in touch early.
Plans start at around €1,750.
Common questions
What size garden is this suitable for?
Anything from a single border to the largest garden. A border resolved properly is legitimate work on its own. Tell me what you are working with and I will advise on the right approach.
Do I need any design experience?
None at all. You need to be able to take photographs, sketch a rough outline with measurements and tell me what you want from the space. I do the rest.
What if I just want a consultation first?
That is where every project starts anyway. An online consultation is €295, and an on-site consultation in Cork and the surrounding area is €480 plus VAT. Either fee is deducted from the design work that follows, so it is a first step rather than an extra cost.
Do I have to buy the plants from you?
No. The plan tells you exactly what to buy and where each plant goes, so you can source them yourself or hand it to a gardener. If you would like me to source them, I buy from Irish trade growers and they arrive at your door labelled to match the plan.
What if my garden needs the layout changed as well?
Then the work is a concept design rather than a planting plan alone, setting out the position of patios, paths, steps, beds and boundaries before the planting is resolved. The plan is still the end point. Tell me about the garden and I will say which it needs.
When will I receive my plan?
Usually within three to four weeks of the consultation, depending on the season and the size and complexity of the garden.
Is this available throughout Ireland?
Yes. The plan is normally worked entirely online, from your photographs and measurements, and plant delivery is available nationwide. If your garden is in Cork or the surrounding area I can visit it instead and gather the information myself.
What does it cost?
Plans start at around €1,750. Where a project sits above that depends on the size of the garden and the level of detail required. I set out the scope and the fee after the consultation, before any design work begins. See planting plan cost in Ireland for what moves the figure.
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 happier with how it has turned out
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