FAQs

Absolutely — many of our clients choose to phase their garden transformation over time to manage budgets. We can design the complete vision upfront, then prioritise which elements to build first. Common approaches include: completing hard landscaping in year one and planting in year two, or transforming the main garden first and tackling front gardens later. Our design package gives you a comprehensive plan that can be implemented in stages.

Victorian terrace gardens are our speciality — we've transformed dozens across East London, North London, and throughout the capital. These long, narrow plots need careful planning to avoid the 'corridor' effect. Our designs create distinct zones, use clever planting to add width, and balance hard landscaping with greenery. We also specialise in Victorian front garden restoration, bringing period charm back to tired entrances with appropriate materials and planting.

Absolutely — cottage garden style suits many Somerset properties perfectly. Our approach balances the romantic abundance of traditional cottage planting with practical structure that keeps things manageable. We select plants that thrive in Somerset's conditions, create framework with evergreen hedging and paths, and design schemes that offer interest through all seasons. A cottage garden can look effortlessly natural while being thoughtfully designed for long-term success.

Yes, we cover South London extensively, including Dulwich, Peckham, Brixton, Clapham, Balham, Crystal Palace, and surrounding areas. South London offers wonderful variety — from Victorian terraces to larger suburban plots — and we tailor our garden designs accordingly. Many South London gardens have excellent potential but need professional design to unlock it. We create outdoor living spaces that work for modern family life while respecting the character of period properties.

Yes — poor drainage is one of the most common garden problems we address, particularly in London's clay soils and Somerset's low-lying areas. Solutions range from permeable paving and French drains to regrading and soakaway installation. Our site survey identifies drainage issues and our build process implements appropriate fixes. Good drainage is fundamental — we address it before any decorative work begins.

Absolutely. Not every garden needs a complete redesign. We're experienced at working with established trees, existing structures, and features you want to keep — mature planting is valuable and we'd rather work with it than rip it out. Our garden design service begins with a thorough site survey where we document all existing elements. Often the best approach is to enhance what's already working while addressing the areas that aren't, creating a cohesive outdoor living space that respects your garden's history.

Absolutely. Not every garden needs a complete redesign. We're experienced at working with established trees, existing stone walls, period features, and planting you want to keep. Often the best approach is to enhance what's already working while addressing the areas that aren't. Our garden design service includes a thorough site survey where we document everything worth preserving. Somerset's gardens often have wonderful mature specimens and traditional features that deserve to be celebrated in a thoughtful new design.

Yes — we're based in Hackney and East London is our home territory. We've completed full garden transformations across Hackney, Walthamstow, Stoke Newington, Bow, Bethnal Green, Stratford, and throughout the East London boroughs. Being local means we understand the specific challenges of East London gardens — the Victorian terrace proportions, the soil conditions, the access restrictions. Our RHS-qualified designer Sarah Ferguson brings deep knowledge of what works in compact urban spaces.

Yes, we work throughout Taunton, Wellington, Minehead, and West Somerset including the Quantock and Blackdown Hills. These areas offer wonderful scope for country garden design with their varied landscapes and larger plots. From farmhouse gardens to village properties, we create designs that work with the local character. Our full garden transformation service connects you with trusted West Somerset contractors who understand rural building requirements.

Absolutely. Our West London garden design service covers Chiswick, Richmond, Kew, Ealing, Fulham, Chelsea, and throughout the western boroughs. West London's classic properties deserve equally refined outdoor spaces, and we specialise in high-end designs that combine elegance with practicality. Whether you're looking for a formal garden with structured hedges, a contemporary entertaining space, or a stylish courtyard, our RHS-qualified team creates gardens that match West London's premium property standards.

We work across Somerset from our base near Glastonbury, including Wells, Frome, Taunton, Bath, Bristol, Bridgwater, Street, and surrounding villages throughout the Mendips and Somerset Levels. We also serve Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Wiltshire for larger projects. If you're unsure whether we cover your location, just ask — we'll give you a straight answer. Our full garden design service is available throughout the South West.

Yes, Bath and Bristol are core areas we serve from our Somerset base near Glastonbury. Bath's Georgian properties and Bristol's diverse architecture each present unique opportunities for garden design. We understand the planning considerations in conservation areas, work with Bath's distinctive limestone, and create gardens that complement these cities' architectural heritage. From compact city courtyards to larger suburban gardens, we design spaces that suit urban South West living.

Yes — outdoor entertaining is a growing part of our work. We design outdoor kitchens, dining terraces, fire pit areas, and comfortable seating zones that extend your living space into the garden. Key considerations include: shelter from weather, lighting for evening use, durable surfaces, and screening for privacy. Whether you want a sleek contemporary space or a relaxed country garden setting, our design process ensures every element works together.

We design for above-ground spaces too. Roof terraces and balconies come with specific challenges — weight restrictions, wind exposure, irrigation access — but they're often the only outdoor space available in central London. We can advise on structural considerations and design schemes that work within the constraints. Our full design service includes container planting schemes, vertical gardens, and space-saving solutions that transform even the smallest balcony into a stylish outdoor retreat.

Yes, we work extensively across North London including Highgate, Hampstead, Crouch End, Muswell Hill, Islington, Finsbury Park, and surrounding areas. North London gardens range from compact Victorian terraces to larger Edwardian plots, and we understand how to maximise these varied spaces. Our full garden design service creates biodiverse, stylish gardens that complement North London's diverse architectural character — from contemporary family spaces to formal period-appropriate designs.

Yes — we offer ongoing maintenance to keep your garden looking its best after installation. Options include regular weekly or monthly visits, seasonal maintenance programmes, and one-off garden MOTs. Many clients find that professional maintenance in the first year helps plants establish well. We can also provide guidance if you prefer to maintain the garden yourself, including seasonal care calendars and planting notes.

Sustainability is central to our approach, but that doesn't mean every garden has to be a wildflower meadow. We design contemporary spaces, formal gardens, family entertaining areas, cottage gardens, and everything in between. What unites our work is thoughtful plant selection, responsible material choices, and designs that support rather than fight against natural processes. Our biodiverse planting schemes work with Somerset's unique conditions — whether that's heavy clay on the Levels or free-draining limestone in the Mendips.

Wildlife is always part of our approach, but we design contemporary spaces, formal gardens, family entertaining areas, and everything in between. What unites our work is thoughtful plant selection that supports pollinators and other wildlife alongside whatever aesthetic you're after. A garden can look sleek and modern while still being ecologically valuable. Our RHS-qualified designer creates biodiverse planting schemes that provide year-round interest while nurturing local ecosystems — from city courtyards to country estates.

Yes, 3D visualisations are included in all our full garden design packages. These photorealistic renders show exactly how your garden will look from multiple angles, helping you understand spatial relationships, planting combinations, and material choices before any work begins. It's particularly valuable for small urban gardens where every decision impacts the overall feel of the space. You can refine the design until you're completely happy before we move to construction.

Yes — Wells, Frome, Shepton Mallet, and the Mendip villages are within easy reach of our Glastonbury base. The Mendips present particular opportunities for garden design: the limestone soil drains freely and suits Mediterranean-style planting, while the elevation creates distinct microclimates. We know which plants thrive in these conditions and can recommend local stone suppliers for authentic landscaping that complements the area's character.

A wildlife-friendly garden needs four things: food sources (nectar-rich flowers, berries, seed heads left over winter), water (even a small dish helps), shelter (dense shrubs, log piles, undisturbed corners), and connectivity (gaps in fences for hedgehogs, climbing plants for insects). Our garden design approach builds these elements into stylish spaces that support local ecosystems while looking contemporary. Wildlife-friendly doesn't mean wild-looking — a garden can be elegant and ecologically valuable at the same time.

Look for a designer with horticultural qualifications (RHS or equivalent), a portfolio of completed projects in your area, and transparent pricing. Local knowledge matters — a designer who understands your area's soil, climate, and planning requirements will create a garden that establishes well. At Wild Butterfly Gardening, our RHS-qualified designer works from bases in London and Somerset, bringing local expertise to every project. We offer a free initial call to discuss your needs before any commitment.

An overgrown garden often has hidden potential — mature trees, established shrubs, and character that newer gardens lack. Our approach starts with a thorough assessment: what's worth keeping, what needs removing, and what the space could become. Often the bones of a good garden are already there. A consultation gives you expert guidance on prioritising work, while a full garden transformation handles everything from clearance to final planting. Don't assume everything needs to go — established plants are valuable.

Family gardens need to work for everyone — play space for children, entertaining areas for adults, and planting that's robust enough to handle family life. Our designs create flexible spaces that can evolve as children grow: lawn areas that become borders later, built-in seating with storage, and durable surfaces that handle heavy use. We prioritise non-toxic plants where children play, and create wildlife habitats that double as educational features.

For full garden transformations, we recommend booking 3-6 months ahead of when you want construction to start. Spring builds should be booked by January; autumn projects by June. Consultations can often be arranged within 2-3 weeks. Our busiest periods are February-April and September-October. If you have a specific deadline — a summer party, house sale, or event — let us know early so we can plan accordingly.

Timescales vary depending on scope. A garden consultation can happen within a few weeks of enquiry. Design projects typically take 6-12 weeks from briefing to final plans, including 3D visualisations and detailed planting schemes. Build phases depend on scale, access, and contractor availability — a small courtyard might take 2-3 weeks to construct, while a larger full garden transformation could run to 8-12 weeks. Spring and autumn are our busiest seasons, so if you're hoping for completion before summer entertaining, we recommend booking your consultation in January or February.

Timescales vary depending on scope. A garden consultation can happen within a few weeks of enquiry. Design projects typically take 6-12 weeks from briefing to final plans, including 3D visualisations and detailed planting schemes. Build phases depend on scale and contractor availability — a courtyard garden might take 2-3 weeks to construct, while a larger country garden transformation could run to 8-12 weeks. We'll give you realistic timelines during the design process.

Our garden consultation service starts at £400 for a half-day session with our RHS-qualified designer. Border renovation projects begin at £1,100, while full garden design packages start from £3,000. For complete design and build projects in London, budgets typically start around £20,000 for smaller courtyard gardens, with larger plots requiring proportionally more. London costs tend to run higher than elsewhere due to access challenges, skip permits, and contractor rates — we're always upfront about this during initial conversations. Approximately 88% of your investment goes toward labour, materials and plants, with around 12% allocated to design.

Our garden consultation service starts at £400 for a half-day session with our RHS-qualified designer. Border renovation projects begin at £1,100, while full garden design packages start from £3,000. For complete design and build projects in Somerset, budgets typically start around £17,500 for smaller gardens, with larger or more complex country garden projects requiring proportionally more investment. We're always happy to discuss your budget openly and suggest approaches that deliver the best value — and projects can be phased over time to help manage costs.

Often, yes — small gardens benefit most from professional design because there's no room for error. Every plant, every paving slab, every centimetre matters. Our full garden design service includes 3D visualisations so you can see exactly how your space will look before any work begins. Some of our most satisfying projects have been tiny courtyards and terraces in Hackney and across East London where clever design made a transformative difference. We specialise in creating outdoor entertaining spaces that maximise every square metre.

Shade is an opportunity, not a limitation. Our shade garden designs use the rich palette of plants that thrive without direct sun: ferns, hostas, hellebores, woodland bulbs, and shade-tolerant shrubs. We create lush, green spaces with interesting textures and seasonal highlights. Light-coloured paving and mirrors can brighten dark corners. Many of our favourite London courtyard designs work with significant shade — these spaces often stay cool and comfortable in summer.

Current trends emphasise sustainability, biodiversity, and outdoor living spaces that extend the home. We're seeing demand for: naturalistic planting with grasses and perennials, outdoor kitchens and dining areas, permeable surfaces that manage rainwater, edible gardens integrated with ornamental planting, and year-round structure from evergreens and architectural plants. Our design approach balances these contemporary ideas with timeless principles — creating gardens that feel current but won't date quickly.

During your consultation, our RHS-qualified designer Sarah Ferguson visits your property for a thorough assessment. We discuss how you want to use the space, what frustrates you about your current garden, your aesthetic preferences, and budget. We assess soil conditions, light patterns, existing features worth keeping, and any challenges like drainage or access. You'll receive honest, practical advice and recommendations — whether that's a full garden transformation or targeted improvements to specific areas.

Our full garden transformation service covers everything from initial concept to completion. This includes: a comprehensive site survey, 3D design visualisations, detailed planting plans, material sourcing, project management with trusted contractors, hard landscaping installation, planting, and irrigation or lighting if required. We handle the entire process so you don't have to coordinate multiple trades. Full garden transformation packages start from £17,500, with approximately 88% going toward labour, materials and plants.

The best low-maintenance gardens combine durable hard landscaping with carefully chosen plants that thrive without constant attention. Key elements include: drought-tolerant planting, permeable surfaces that manage themselves, structural evergreens for year-round form, and ground-cover plants that suppress weeds. Our biodiverse garden designs prioritise plants suited to your specific conditions — when plants are in the right place, they need less intervention. We design beautiful outdoor spaces that look after themselves.

The best time to start a garden design project in Somerset is autumn or early winter. This allows time for design development over winter, with construction typically beginning in late winter or early spring. Planting is best done in autumn (September–November) or spring (March–May) when soil conditions are optimal and plants establish most successfully. If you're planning a full garden transformation for summer 2026, we recommend booking your consultation in January or February to secure your place in our spring build schedule.

Front garden transformations typically range from £8,000-£25,000 depending on size, materials, and features. A Victorian front garden restoration with period-appropriate tiles, planting, and new pathway might be £10,000-£15,000. Our pricing page includes a project simulator to help you understand costs. Front gardens often deliver the best return on investment — they transform your home's first impression and can increase property value.

A garden consultation (£400) is a half-day session where our RHS-qualified designer visits your garden, discusses your needs, and provides expert advice on layout, planting, and problem areas — ideal if you want professional guidance but plan to do the work yourself. A full garden design package (from £3,000) includes site survey, 3D visualisations, detailed planting plans, material specifications, and ongoing support through the build phase. Choose full design when you want comprehensive plans for contractors to follow.

We source high-quality, durable materials from trusted suppliers — natural stone, quality porcelain, hardwood timber, and premium aggregates. For Somerset projects, we often use local stone that complements the area's character. In London, we balance aesthetics with practical considerations like weight restrictions and access. Our landscaping service includes material sourcing, and we're happy to advise on sustainable options like reclaimed materials and permeable surfaces.

Key questions include: What qualifications do you have? Can I see examples of similar projects? How does your pricing work? Who will manage the build? What's your availability? How do you handle changes during the project? At Wild Butterfly Gardening, we're always happy to discuss our packages and process openly. Our RHS-qualified designer handles projects personally, and we work with trusted landscaping contractors we know deliver quality work.

A garden designer creates the vision — layouts, planting plans, material choices, and 3D visualisations. A landscaper builds it — the physical construction, paving, planting installation. Some companies do both; we offer a complete design and build service where our designer creates plans and manages trusted contractors through construction. This integrated approach means the finished garden matches the design intent. Our design packages can also be delivered as plans for you to build with your own contractor.

If you want your garden transformation completed in time for summer 2026 entertaining, book your consultation in January or February. This gives time for the design phase (6-12 weeks), contractor scheduling, and a spring build when ground conditions are optimal. Our busiest booking period is February-April, and we typically work 2-3 months ahead for full design and build projects. The earlier you start the design conversation, the more flexibility you'll have with timing and contractor availability.

We have two bases: our London studio in Hackney, East London, and our Somerset base near Glastonbury. From London we work across all boroughs including North London, West London, and throughout the South East including Kent, Surrey and Sussex. From Somerset we cover Bristol, Bath, Wells, Frome, Taunton, and the surrounding South West counties. East London is our home territory — we know its Victorian terraces, its courtyards, its soil conditions, and its garden challenges intimately.

Sarah Ferguson is our founder and lead designer — an RHS-qualified garden designer who transitioned from the fashion industry to horticulture. Her background in fashion informs a unique approach to garden design, applying principles of balance, proportion, and seasonal interest. Sarah personally handles the design process for every project, from initial consultation through to handover. She works from our studios in East London and Somerset.

Somerset's geology creates dramatically different growing conditions within short distances. We know which plants will struggle in waterlogged clay on the Levels and which will thrive in thin soil over Mendip limestone. Local knowledge prevents expensive mistakes, ensures your planting scheme establishes well, and means we can recommend trusted local suppliers and contractors. From our Glastonbury base, we've built relationships with Somerset's best landscapers, nurseries, and craftspeople — connections that benefit every garden transformation we undertake.