ann balmforth GARDEN DESIGNS

Dorchester, Dorset

I can create for you a beautiful garden from small front/back gardens or courtyards to large rural landscapes, using both traditional and contemporary approaches. I will work with you on your requirements during an initial consultation session in your own home, and when we have agreed your requirements, I will produce the outline design for your garden. The detailed design stages and monitoring of the implementation of the design will follow on from this. Alternatively, if you already have a garden that you love but want help with the planting, I can create planting plans for your borders. I am a local Dorset garden designer, based near Dorchester, Dorset, and have a Diploma in Professional Garden Design from the Garden Design School, Bristol Botanic Garden with distinctions in my plant and hard landscaping portfolios. I have many years experience analysing requirements and managing projects in business.

Services Provided

Decking Design, Garden Design, Garden Plans, Patio Design

Areas Served

Dorchester

Awards

Diploma in Professional Garden Design, The Garden Design School, Bristol Botanic Gardens

12 Projects for ann balmforth GARDEN DESIGNS

Accessible Limestone Garden

7 photos

Dorchester, Dorset, UK

Stylish Front Garden

5 photos

Japanese Courtyard Garden

8 photos

Japanese Dragon Garden

13 photos

Naturalistic Wildlife Garden

3 photos

Flowing Country Wildlife Garden

7 photos

English Summer Flowing Garden

9 photos

Dorset Garden with a View

Circular Garden Design in Slate and Purple

13 photos

Japanese-inspired Garden

5 photos

Write a Review

19 Reviews for ann balmforth GARDEN DESIGNS

Caro and Bill Whitaker

Relationship

Client

Project Date

December 2018

Project Price

£10,000 – £49,999

We chose Ann as our garden designer as we were seeking someone with the necessary skills to create a new garden within a former quarry. This required a novel approach using gabions to support the face of the quarry and substantial earthworks in order to create a country garden. Ann certainly achieved this for us and a lot more besides. She provided comprehensive outline and detail drawings together with plant schedules and specifications. Lacking any real knowledge ourselves she led us through her planting ideas and made it a very pleasant experience. She was professional at all times and met all agreed targets both in cost and time. We would have no hesitation in recommending her for your garden project.

4 days ago

Tim Prebble

Relationship

Client

Project Date

March 2020

Project Price

£10,000 – £49,999

We were very pleased with the way Ann worked with us, from the original design discussion through to the completion. The garden was an unusual shape with a very long boundary and the house not best placed on the plot either, which made the design a challenge. Ann came up with a hard landscape design which both satisfied our requirements along with the Planning Authorities needs and a planting scheme which complements the house and street scene. Whilst the project cost was much higher than our initial budget this was more due to the nature of the boundary rather than a lack of awareness and Ann did indicate from the start that our budget was probably 25% short. Ann was able to provide all the necessary drawings and attended to the planning application for us as well. We have no hesitation in recommending her services.

6 January, 2020

Helen and Simon Pizzey

Relationship

Client

Project Date

December 2018

Project Price

£10,000 – £49,999

Ann has turned what was effectively a blank canvas of a grass-and-path plot, hedge-divided front-from-back, into a carefully landscaped-and-crafted wraparound, cottage-style garden which has been a delight to see come alive as its first season has progressed. From start to finish, Ann’s eye for detail, spec, design and landscaping has been superb. She has also been a pleasure to work with for her pleasant, fuss-free, down-to-earth approach plus sound skills, knowledge and workmanship. Mindful of our strict budgeting, she has given sound advice at all stages and we have been delighted by her choice of contractors. We are hugely grateful for this massive boost to our home and garden. Thank you, Ann!

17 October, 2019

Christopher Thompson

Relationship

Client

Project Date

February 2019

Project Price

£1,000 – £9,999

Wanted to remove lawn and replace with low maintenance interesting front garden. Ann supplied the design and sourced the plants. I like the result which should look better when the 3 extra trees begin to leaf. Ann provides the design and if required the plants, but you would have to project manage yourself. I thought I hated gardening but having got rid of the 'mowing the lawn' I have become more interested in the plants and look forward to looking after them. So yes would recommend Ann to design your garden. Cost was under £5k

28 February, 2019Last modified:28 February, 2019

Jackie Kentfield

Relationship

Client

Project Date

June 2018

Project Price

n/a

Ann was a pleasure to work with. She started by truly listening to what we thought we wanted and using her skills and experience developed the plan and ideas to be a garden that we are delighted to have and draws positive comments from all that see it.

21 January, 2019

Paul and Sandy Winter

Relationship

Client

Project Date

April 2018

Project Price

£10,000 – £49,999

We first contacted Ann last year about redesigning the garden at our home in Weymouth, which was at that time very neglected and in need of radical work. From our first meeting she was so enthusiastic about the project, and in a kind and friendly way guided us through the stages of the planning - from the outline plan, to the final detailed layout, including the plants and colours we liked. She worked closely with the landscapers (Gregorys), monitoring the construction from start to planting. Her design has produced a lovely, colourful garden that is exactly what we wanted. We will enjoy using it and watching it mature over many years to come. Ann’s work has also been much appreciated and admired by our neighbours! We highly recommend Ann.

14 June, 2018

Comment from ann balmforth GARDEN DESIGNS:

It has been a delight to work with you and to oversee the construction of your garden.

Greg Walker

Relationship

Colleague

Project Date

January 2016

Project Price

> than £100,000

We have worked alongside Ann on a number of projects over the last 3 years, with styles ranging from Japanese to that of an English Country garden. From the outset, the information and plans we receive are accurately set out, with detailed drawings from which to work from. Communication between Ann, ourselves and the Client is always excellent. This ensures we can complete any project to the highest standard, within timescales. We always look forward to a project from Ann, they are of extremely high quality, interesting and well laid out, finished with colourful, diverse planting plans.

6 June, 2018

Comment from ann balmforth GARDEN DESIGNS:

Thank you Greg; it is always a pleasure working with you and your teams. You all communicate extremely well and in a timely fashion. I look forward to working with you in the future.

Allan Morgan

Relationship

Client

Project Date

February 2018

Project Price

£1,000 – £9,999

Started planning the project with Ann last summer for a Japanese inspired garden. Design was exactly as per brief and she worked closely with the landscape contactors to ensure that the final product matched the design. The garden when completed certainly met if not exceeded our expectation. Friends and family have been impressed with what has been achieved. Overall cost of landscaping was expensive but we felt it was worth it. Very happy to have worked with Ann on this projected. High praise

19 April, 2018

Sue Paul

Relationship

Client

Project Date

September 2016

Project Price

£10,000 – £49,999

Our garden was a funny shape and on quite a steep incline - no one was interested in taking on such a challenge until I was introduced to Ann. She was very enthusiastic, really listened to what we wanted in the garden and had some really good ideas to add. The end result was an absolutely stunning garden which is continuing to grow even more beautiful.

27 March, 2018

Comment from ann balmforth GARDEN DESIGNS:

Thank you very much Sue for your review. I passed your garden the other day and it is looking beautiful.

Jayne Barron

Relationship

Client

Project Date

September 2018

Project Price

£50,000 – £100,000

We needed a 'big vision' for our new garden and that is exactly what Ann delivered. She listened carefully to our ideas and interpreted them into a flowing garden with wide sweeps of planting, generous paved areas and a curvaceous pond which reflects the sunsets just magnificently. As the construction process evolved so did some aspects of the original plan so we now have a garden which is not only Ann's design but a bit of ours too! I enjoyed a lovely morning discussing the planting schemes and we are looking forward to our first spring/summer, seeing some leaves on the trees and the continuing evolution of our garden; a garden which without Ann's vision coupled with her attention to detail simply wouldn't exist. Thank you.

26 March, 2018

Comment from ann balmforth GARDEN DESIGNS:

Thank you Jayne for such a lovely review. It has been a pleasure working with you on the design.

Roger Parr

Relationship

Client

Project Date

March 2018

Project Price

£50,000 – £100,000

Ann developed a Japanese garden plan for my front and back garden incorporating various rocks, stones, stone lanterns, paved areas, stairs and walkways. Planting included various trees, shrubs, and ground cover - in excess of 1,000 plants. The Plan was very professional and clear to understand, and was redeveloped over several months as new ideas were added into the plan on a very timely basis. Ann also recommended, landscapers, building materials, planting, and took part in overseeing acquisitions, and building work, and overall project oversight. My garden has exceeded all expectations and I owe it all to Ann - hiring her was easily the best decision I made during the entire project.

21 March, 2018

Comment from ann balmforth GARDEN DESIGNS:

Thank you Roger. It has been an exciting project to work on and you have been a delight to work with. I am looking forward to seeing the trees and shrubs come out in leaf as soon as spring arrives, and seeing your Kyokusen swinging seat in place (for the story behind the design see https://www.sittingspiritually.co.uk/blog/2018/03/13/the-story-behind-the-kyokusen).

Kirsty Lydeard

Relationship

Client

Project Date

November 2017

Project Price

£10,000 – £49,999

What a wondeful garden - and best of all, it’s ours!! We have a garden that everyone is remarking on and all the credit goes to Ann for her fantastic design and attention to detail. From start to finish Ann has been meticulous in listening to us: exploring what we liked in terms of shape, mood and colour; helping us to think about how we intended to use the garden and how much we wanted to be involved in its maintenance! She provided wonderful plans to inspire us and for the installation team to work from. Ordered the plants and checked them for us on delivery then got busy laying them out whilst directing the team and supervising those with little knowledge (me!) Already the plants are starting to grow and the garden is changing .... we can’t wait for Spring to really get started so we can see what else comes peeking up through the bark. One of our firemds has asked if we will be selling tickets for garden viewings in the summer! The answer is no, but we will happily be inviting lots of them around to share a glass of wine, put their feet up, relax and enjoy it with us.

19 March, 2018

Comment from ann balmforth GARDEN DESIGNS:

It was such a pleasure working with you to achieve such a lovely, curvilinear garden. It certainly has several places to enjoy a glass of wine once spring arrives.

Load All 19 Reviews

7 Comments

Commented: Garden design ideas neededI would also sink the trampoline into the ground (just below ground level) so that it is hidden but still a safe play area.

3 October, 2015 in Design Dilemma

Commented: My raised terrace or balcony dilemma. Connecting house to the gardenAs a garden designer, I agree with the suggestion to replace the steps with more functional and attractive steps, as there are ventilation ducts and decking while not blocking these does tend to be sl...

21 September, 2015 in Design Dilemma

Commented: Shady front garden woes!You haven't said whether your soil is alkaline/acidic/neutral, and clay/chalk/sand/loam, but you could also try Pachysandra terminalis, Hellebores (red, pink, white) and aquilegia. (http://www.crocus....

30 August, 2015 in Design Dilemma

Commented: Front Garden Planting Advice Please!It looks a very good start. Now think about adding more interest to the gravel, perhaps by interspersing the 'lollipop trees' with neat but interesting shrubs. These could be scented such as Sarcocc...

22 June, 2015 in Design Dilemma

Commented: Japanese gardenAh that explains it. Last year I trialed sheet (Hypnum) and cushion (Leucobrynum) mosses in my garden but unsuccessfully as I have alkaline chalk and really they prefer acidic clay :-( Also my puppy...

28 April, 2015

Landscape Architects & Garden Designers near Charminster

United Kingdom

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