Welcome
Our company, Envisage Gardens and Landscapes, spans two family generations, but has its horticultural roots set firmly in the past. Stephen’s great-grandfather planted orchards and soft-fruit on the family farm; that love of plants and wildlife, and understanding of the natural environment and outdoor spaces, has run continually through every layer in his family down to Charlie, our Landscape Architect and fifth generation horticulturist.
For over 35 years, we have been trusted to design and install beautiful and inspiring garden spaces. Our projects range from highend city gardens to large country estates, and are always designed to be in keeping with the house and landscape setting.
All of our projects are unique; no two gardens are the same as each client’s requirements are important and varied. With her excellent eye for detail, Charlie works with both design and construction teams, overseeing every design detail. She will be with you on your landscape journey from initial consultation, up until the final plant is installed, and onwards
Our three decades of experience inspired us to create a rare and resultsdriven business model; a turn-key landscape design and construction solution where the projects are designed by experts and created by craftsmen.
Our Philosophy
Good landscape design can only happen when the designer has a clear and full understanding of the client brief, and an extensive grasp of the sense of place. This is achieved when our designers work closely with you, asking many questions about your lifestyle, how you want to use the space, how you want your garden to look, and how you want it to make you feel.
Our clients invest emotionally in their new garden when they can see the designer’s vision for their space. This is why the 3D modelling is so important. It allows you to ‘walk’ around your new garden, before the
Our Mission
Quite simply: to inspire and delight, to deliver as requested, to develop and maintain over the years.
To create Legacy Landscapes; built to stand the test of time.
groundworks begin. There should be no surprises.
Our construction team brings the garden to life very quickly. In a matter of months, the 3D model becomes a reality on the ground. The terraces are set, lawns are laid and plants installed; pools are still with glistening water, and there is peace.
Within a couple of growing seasons, the perennials and shrubs mature and then finally the trees. But there is no such thing as a finished garden. Good gardens need to be nurtured and given time to mature.
Our Values
To at all times be professional, ethical, approachable, and provide a friendly service.
To work with you, the client, to deliver the best outcome for both you and your garden or landscape.
To, above all else, always deliver to the highest standard.
Meet the Team
Our History
We are a family-run company with five generations of horticultural experience.
1960’s & 70’s: Steve is learning the tricks of the trade at a Cornish salad farm owned and operated by his parents, and visiting the orchards his grandfather planted across Stratford-upon-Avon.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, Hilary discovers her love of horticulture by growing flowering plants and vegetables at her family home.
1980: Hilary and Stephen enrol on the same Horticulture degree course at the University of Bath. They work together on the Garden Design module and an idea was born. They spend a sandwich year and summer placements working as scientific officers for the Government and horticultural institutions.
1984: Hilary and Stephen have both graduated with Honours in Horticulture. They move back to Hilary’s family home and set up a retail plant nursery in the yard behind her fathers pharmacy.
2002 : Hilary with some of her nursery staff
They are two of the foundation members of the Institute of Horticulture.
1986: Hilary takes on their first design contract; the gardens of Eddie Braben’s private home.
Late 1980’s to the 2000’s: The business relocates to a larger premises and grows steadily to take on more staff and larger contracts. Hilary and Steve are managing 5 construction teams and completing approximately 50 projects a year whilst also running a substantial plant nursery. Many exciting opportunities come their way such
as working with the Council and Hospital on public open space projects, and designing & building a garden for This Morning TV.
2010’s: The nursery moves to a bigger site again and Envisage take on building nursery exhibits at RHS Flower Shows. As of 2021 we hold 23 Medals and a Trophy, including an RHS Chelsea Gold.
2014: Charlie graduates with a 1st class Honours in Landscape Architecture.
2018: Charlie leaves her lecturing role and joins Envisage on a full-time basis. Hilary publishes a book and continues giving industry talks.
2019: Charlie wins the Peoples Choice Award for her garden at the RHS Young Designer of the Year.
2020’s: Articles published in various magazines, and given TV and radio slots. Envisage continue to take on large and exciting projects, and take the decision to operate a solely turn-key service.
Stephen Collins BSc.(Hons) MCIHort.
Director, Construction Manager
Stephen is the head of our construction team. He has been designing, specifying and building bespoke landscapes for over 35 years.
He leads the construction team that constructs our medal-winning RHS Flower Show exhibitions for our sister
company Grafton Nursery.
Stephen carries out some of the design detailing for our bespoke landscape features, using a range of software programs, to ensure clients are receiving the consistent high-quality finishes.
He is a skilled craftsman and undertakes a range of hard landscaping, including complex features such as retaining walls and swimming pools, as well as carrying
out bespoke carpentry at our workshop. Wildlife-friendly gardens are particularly important to Stephen as he is an enthusiastic bee keeper.
Stephen grew up on a salad farm in Cornwall. He now maintains a large orchard of his own with a variety of heritage species, and enjoys growing vegetable and salad crops in his spare time.
Hilary Collins BSc.(Hons) Hort. MCIHort.
Garden Designer, Horticulturist, Author
Hilary is our Garden Designer and Horticultural Consultant. She is a skilled horticulturist, and her love of science and art has created the wealth of beautiful gardens in our portfolio. No two of her designs are the same. Some are based on a theme, such as a
Charlie Hartigan BA (Hons), PGDip LA MLI
Landscape Architect
Charlie holds both an undergraduate and a post graduate degree in Landscape Architecture, and also a Landscape History qualification from the University of Oxford. She has a passion for landscape design and enjoys adding subtle, fine detail to really give her projects the ‘wow’ factor.
She is particularly skilled with landscape design software, meaning that her designs are accurate from the beginning and are underpinned with what she terms ‘healthy geometry’!
Whilst at University she was awarded both the Women In Property ‘South West’ prize and then later the Women in Property ‘National Student of the Year’ award, as well as the University’s
‘Bodfan Gruffydd’ Postgraduate prize.
Charlie received the RHS Peoples Choice Award for the Best Large Garden in the 2019 ‘Young Designer of the Year’ competition.
In 2019 she was also announced as one of Pro-Landscaper’s prestigious “30 under 30” as one of their ‘ones to watch’.
cool woodland garden, whilst others might be inspired by a piece of artwork or music.
Kitchen Gardens are of particular interest to Hilary. She has extensive knowledge and experience of creating beautiful vegetable and cutting gardens. Hilary is also the CEO of Grafton Nursery, our RHS Chelsea Goldwinning nursery.
As a student, she worked for various horticultural research institutions. She has since spent 10 years researching the horticulture of Eucalyptus trees and has established herself as the UK’s expert on the subject, having been featured on TV and in various magazine articles. Hilary has written gardening articles for several magazines for many years, and has also published her own book.
What Makes Us Different?
Our design team works as a group, not in isolation. Several minds bring many ideas for discussion to your project; exciting ideas of what can be achieved, which materials could be used and how it can best be built.
Senior construction team members are asked for input during the design stage. They can advise on how the garden design can be installed and managed, ensure good site access for materials, design in from the beginning efficient
and safe site management, and discuss best practices for a high quality finish.
We are not afraid to talk about money. It would be a difficult and painful process to embark on a design journey with no idea of how much it might to cost to install the finished work. That way lies only disappointment.
At Envisage, we have our own experienced estimating team who can advise on costs at several stages
throughout the garden design process. We can offer guidance at the design brief stage on what costs drive garden budgets. An estimate can be calculated half-way through the primary design stage and a firm cost-estimate provided at the completion of the master plan
All our senior people in the company are fully qualified or time-served practitioners. Everyone on our design and construction teams are following
continued professional development, from the apprentices up to the most senior members. We believe that you never stop learning.
We are very proud of what we do; of our awards, our craftsmen, our projects, and our reputation.
We are creative and knowledgeable, and work for our clients with passion and honesty.
Our Service
What We Do
Envisage offer a professional, high quality, ‘turn-key’ landscape design and build service.
From your initial discussion with us, we will guide you through the garden design process, advise on materials, costs, navigate the maze of Latin plant names, and deliver the completed landscaping project to your budget.
Our Designers have extensive horticultural experience, supported by sound training in landscape design principles and over 30 years practical working knowledge in the landscaping and construction of gardens.
Your garden will be built by our experienced in-house teams to ensure a high quality finish. Our landscapers are skilled in ground-works, brick and stone
work, paving and carpentry, supported by specialists if required, and then trained horticulturists will plant up your garden.
Envisage can assist you with planning permission applications if needed. We have good links with other industries, so if your project requires a qualified tree surgeon or a structural engineer, we can engage them as appropriate.
The joint aim of our Designers and Landscapers is to help you achieve your landscaping project as smoothly and effectively as possible.
This falls into several distinct sections; Consultation, Survey, Design, Construction, Planting, and Maintenance and Development. See the following chapter for an explanation of this process.
Examples of works undertaken include:
Private Residential Gardens
Town Gardens
Country Estates
Historic Landscape Regeneration
Farm Diversification
Wildlife Gardens and ‘Wilderness’
Arboretum and Woodlands
Water Gardens
Hotel or Venue Landscapes
Event Landscape Dressing
Planning applications
Landscape Master Planning
Natural Burial Grounds
Playgrounds or School Gardens
Sensory Landscapes
Authors and Guest Writers
TV and Radio Consultancy
Speaking Slots and Guest Lectures
Show Gardens
The Design & Build Process
We follow the recognised industry standard method for designing and costing a landscape project. Once you initiate the process, we make the rest happen for you. The same process is followed, be it for a town courtyard or a 10 acre country garden, but it is flexible and can be tailored to your requirements.
1. The Initial Enquiry
We are always delighted to receive new enquiries. The first contact is usually an informal chat over the phone to discuss the project requirements.
If you would like to explore garden design ideas further, we will make an appointment to visit you and your garden. You may find it helpful to browse our website, brochure, or social media first.
2. The Initial Consultation
One of our Designers will come to your site and discuss the project with you.
At this complementary meeting you can talk about your ambitions for the garden, view our extensive portfolio of plans and project photographs, and ask about typical costs.
This is also an opportunity for us to get to know you, your tastes, and understand what you would like to achieve.
3. Site Survey and Analysis
If we are the right company for your project, we will recommend you enlist the services of our trusted survey partner.
The Site Survey is a detailed record of the current landscape condition and includes a photographic study, a digital topographical survey (measuring the layout and levels of the existing garden), and notes of existing vegetation.
You will receive a printed copy of the topical survey data i.e. a drawing of your site in its current condition to keep with your records.
The site analysis enables your Designer to understand how your landscape behaves; taking note of wind patterns, your soil type, sun and shade, slopes, views, etc.
The Sketch Design will most likely be hand-drawn
4. The Design Brief
We will meet you at your site where we all exchange ideas for the new garden. This meeting can take a few hours, depending on how much input you would like with your new garden. We like to ensure you are getting the garden you desire.
It may be helpful to find some inspirational images to bring to this meeting, or you may wish for your Designer to take charge!
We will formalise the notes from this meeting into a Design Brief and ask you to approve them, as this will form the backbone to the Fee Schedule and the Sketch Design.
5. Sketch Design
Equipped with your design brief and the site survey, your designer will then draw up your beautiful new garden on paper, resolving any design issues along the way. They will then arrange another meeting with you.
To the Sketch Design meeting will bring a plan of your site with a sketch design proposal and, if appropriate, mood boards or perspective sketches to give you an understanding of how your garden will look.
As each Envisage design is hand-crafted, the drawings will most likely be handsketched for the time being. The design is very flexible at this stage.
6. 3D Design
The 3D model is produced during the design phase, and can be altered as the design progresses from sketch to contractual drawings stage.
You can view the model in the comfort of your own home to aid interpretation of the plans. This can enable you to make decisions or communicate feedback to your design team.
3D models are included in our design proposals as standard. See the end of this portfolio for more examples.
Stuart Rise Paving,
The design comes to life with a 3D model
7. Contractual Drawings and Specification
Your Designer will amend the plan, if required, and draw up a Master Plan of the finished design and meet with you again. The Master Plan ensures that the Client, the Designer and the Construction Team are all apprised of the features and elements to be built in the garden.
Once you have approved the final design, the design team will check the survey details, refine and label the plan, draw up the specification document and the construction order form. You will be presented with all of these documents for your approval.
At this stage, we like to provide a costs estimate for the landscaping installation. This includes providing materials samples, so it may take a few weeks to prepare.
By the end of this stage, you should have a clear idea of how your new garden will look and how much it will cost.
8. The Construction Phase
After you have approved the final plan and ordered the construction, you will receive a fully annotated copy of your new plan, a detailed construction schedule, a copy of the order form and your first invoice for mobilization of the construction works.
We will arrange a provisional start date for your project (weather permitting).
Once construction begins your Designer will visit the project at every significant stage. Garden meetings with your Designer ensure that the project is completed to your satisfaction.
Large grounds can be installed as a whole, or phased over several stages to suit your time frame and finances. Clients with very large estates sometimes choose to develop their garden over a few years.
It is the plants that really bring a garden to life. The Planting Plan can be developed before or during the construction phase. Please see the next step.
The Planting Plan details the location of every plant
9. The Planting Plan
This is one of the most important stages of garden design.
Your plant choices will have been discussed during the design concept stages, and can be finalised at this point. However, we usually find it helpful to develop the Planting Plan once construction is underway.
The Planting Plan shows each plant in its exact location in your new garden and not only informs the plant selection and purchasing process, but also forms an important part of your estates records. Please keep your planting plan for future reference, to help monitor the health and progress of your garden’s development over future years.
The plant selection determines the style of the garden, for example; traditional cottage garden, or spiky Mediterranean, or low maintenance. Plants are the main element in a garden so it is worth spending time getting it right. We find that mood boards are particularly useful for communicating plant colours and shapes.
Natural-style planting schemes that support wildlife are becoming increasingly popular and are of specific interest to us at Envisage.
Client plant wish lists are always gratefully received, but we find the majority of clients prefer to let their designer take the lead when drawing up the planting plan.
10. Planting the Garden
Plants are supplied from specialist nurseries or from our own nursery. We will carefully choose plants for your specific site conditions and design requirements; they are often unusual species and varieties that you won’t find in a garden centre, which is what adds to that ‘designer look’.
The plants will be planted by our team of trained horticulturists. We recommend that you take advantage of them being on site at this stage to also spread a gravel or organic mulch, and install an irrigation system to help ensure the long term health of your plants (please let us know at the estimating stage!).
Due to the seasonal nature of trees, shrubs, and bulbs, the plant-sourcing stage may take between several months to a year to complete. Please rest assured that this is normal and will help to ensure you receive the healthiest plants available.
Themes are indicated with Planting Mood Boards
The Look Book
Browse our album of selected works
All of the following projects were designed and crafted by the Envisage team. This section is continually being added to.
RHS
Young Designer of the Year
Public Space: Worcester Royal Hospital
An informal collection of other Works
Projects in Progress
