The CGLA Design Bible: A Complete Guide to Creating Exceptional Gardens
CEO & Garden Designer
Ruth Marshall
Every exceptional garden begins with a clear intention, a vision that connects people, place and architecture. At CGLA, our work is driven by the belief that great design endures: it shapes how we live, reflects how we feel and matures beautifully over time.
We often speak to people who say, “I don’t really come into the garden much” – particularly referring to the furthest reaches of a plot. We consider it part of our mission to change that. A great garden encourages you to explore, to take a wander or a “gin and tonic circuit”, and to find places to pause, entertain and extend your living space.
This guide distils decades of design practice into a single narrative: from the first spark of an idea to the long-term life of the garden. Whether you’re planning your own landscape or simply curious about how great gardens are made, it will take you through each stage of the process.
Here you’ll find the principles that define our work, from vision and materials to planting, craft and longevity.
Part 1: Creating the Vision
Vision – Every Great Garden Begins with Intention
We begin by listening to what our clients want to achieve, their aspirations and, sometimes, their guilty dreams. Whilst many clients start with practical lists, every garden truly begins with vision: a sense of how a space should feel and how it will be lived in. The best designs emerge when that vision is clear from the start.
The link between house and garden is fundamental. For many older homes, outdoor spaces were an afterthought, the preserve of plant enthusiasts rather than an elegant extension of the home. Today, clients expect their gardens to offer more: space to relax, play and entertain, as well as providing beautiful views from inside. What was once aspirational has become essential.
Balancing form, function, space and setting is where the magic happens. Anyone can fill a space with features; true design lies in creating a garden that feels right – an environment that elevates the everyday.
We talk more about the starting point here.
Understanding the Site- Enhancing the Story
Every site tells its own story. Even in a modest plot, there is a distinctive feel, a mood shaped by boundaries, light, levels and borrowed views. Whether it’s a compact city garden or a country estate, the principles are the same: a garden should belong to its setting; it should feel inevitable.
Understanding the land means reading its clues; dark and light spots, damp hollows, dry banks, wasted corners and cherished vantage points. Some elements deserve to be preserved, others reimagined. From the path of the sun to the fall of rainwater, every detail informs how people will experience the space.
Our role is to reveal and refine this story – retaining the existing magic while transforming the rest to bring harmony, flow and delight.
We talk more about how to define your own style here.
Concept – Translating Vision into Form
With a clear vision and a deep understanding of the environment, ideas begin to take shape. This is where imagination meets discipline.
From hand sketches to high-end visualisations, we develop concepts that capture atmosphere as well as layout. Geometry, proportion and site character come together to form a coherent plan. Each stage is collaborative, sharing ideas with clients, architects and interior designers to ensure the landscape resonates with the wider architecture.
Our visualisations are tools for decision-making: they help clients see and feel the intent of the design before a single stone is laid. The “pretty pictures” are only one part of the process, behind them lies detailed analysis, technical knowledge and practical foresight to make the vision achievable.
We talk a little more about the art of visualisation here.
Materials and Craftsmanship – Building with Integrity
Materials bring weight and permanence to a garden; they give it authenticity. Stone, timber, metal and water each have a character and a purpose. Choosing them well is both creative and technical, ensuring they are visually harmonious, durable and appropriate for use.
We maintain an extensive knowledge of traditional and contemporary materials, suppliers and techniques. Clients are guided through tactile samples and discussions about tone, texture and longevity. Craftsmanship underpins every decision, because the smallest details, from paving joints to bespoke joinery, are what elevate a garden from good to exceptional.
We talk more about Garden Features and Materials here.
Planting Design – Structure, Seasonality and Soul
Planting gives a garden its soul, the living layer that softens structure and brings rhythm through the seasons. Our schemes are designed to evolve, not just endure. They celebrate change: the movement of light, the passage of time, the shifting palette of colour and texture.
For us, planting is about emotion as much as ecology. It’s the feeling you have when you walk through it, calm, uplifted, connected. You don’t need to be green-fingered to enjoy a beautiful planting scheme, but it should be a source of pleasure, never a burden.
Structural planting provides the framework; trees, hedging and large specimens give form and rhythm, while layers of shrubs, perennials and groundcover build atmosphere. A good scheme balances order and softness, geometry and spontaneity, allowing for both structure and seasonal exuberance.
We talk more about planting design here.
Part 2: From Design to Reality
Implementation- Turning Vision into Reality
The transition from concept to construction is where experience counts. While visuals capture the imagination, the true skill lies in transforming them into built form- managing detail, coordination and craftsmanship along the way.
Behind every finished garden are layers of drawings, specifications and dialogue with contractors, engineers and specialists. It’s this process, not just visuals alone, that ensures the end result lives up to the design intent.
At CGLA, we oversee each stage with care, ensuring that what was envisioned on paper is realised with integrity on site. For those interested in the technical side of this process, our separate insight on detailing and delivery explores it in more depth.
The Role of Detailing in Design Implementation
Part 3: Longevity- Designing for Decades
Great gardens grow more beautiful with time. We design with this evolution in mind: selecting materials that weather gracefully and planting that matures into harmony.
Every garden needs care, but well-designed spaces make maintenance intuitive. Regular upkeep; sweeping, pruning, cleaning, seasonal adjustments, preserves both form and function. For larger landscapes, a structured maintenance plan and periodic reviews help ensure the design develops as intended.
Long-term stewardship is an art in itself, shaping trees, refining planting, responding to change. Our aim is always to create gardens that remain relevant and resilient for generations.
Sustainable Luxury Gardens
Commissioning a Landscape Designer – What to Expect
Commissioning a garden is exciting and personal but it can feel daunting at first. For those wanting to explore the process at their own pace, our Insights pages cover the most common questions: design stages, costs and timelines.
When you’re ready to begin, we welcome an informal conversation. Get in touch to arrange a chat or site visit, without obligation. We can discuss your aspirations, sketch early ideas, and outline practicalities and budgets.
At CGLA, we guide clients from concept to completion with clarity and transparency. Every stage is collaborative, built on trust and shared vision. While many clients continue with our in-house landscaping team, we’re equally happy to collaborate with other trusted contractors. After 25 years in practice, flexibility and professionalism remain at the heart of how we work.
We have details on how to brief a garden designer to best effect here.
The Value of Professional Design – Why It Matters
Exceptional design does more than enhance a property, it transforms how you live. It draws you outside, frames new views and enriches daily life. The garden is often an under-used asset; thoughtful design turns it into a space that adds both joy and value.
Professional design goes beyond “pretty plans”. It distils your aesthetic preferences, architectural context and lifestyle needs into something cohesive and enduring. It also brings efficiency, avoiding costly false starts, clarifying costs, and allowing for confident decisions through high-quality visualisation and detail.
Landscape installations are investments. Professional design ensures that money is spent wisely, with precision where it matters, practicality where it counts, and imagination throughout.
See also our insights here:
Resources and Further Reading
For those wishing to explore further, we’ve shared a selection of related insights and projects that illustrate these principles in practice:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CGLA are an award winning team of Garden Designers, Landscape Architects, Landscapers and Garden Maintenance Operatives working in Buckinghamshire, London and the South East, as well as on prestigious design projects across the UK and abroad. We are currently working in Oman, Jersey and France, and welcome enquires for design, landscaping or garden maintenance. Contact us here
