Planting Design - shaping experiences
Integral to our design approach
At Botania Garden Design, planting is at the heart of everything we do. More than a decorative layer, planting defines how a garden feels, how it is used and how it evolves over time. Our planting design approach is rooted in nature, sustainability and experience, creating gardens that feel immersive and connected to their surroundings.
How planting enhances outdoor living spaces
Well designed planting has the power to transform a space. It softens architecture, shapes movement, filters light and creates moments of pause and retreat. A thoughtful planting scheme brings cohesion to the garden, ensuring it feels grounded, intentional and deeply connected to place.
Planting for atmosphere and wellbeing
Our planting designs are developed holistically, responding to the site, the architecture and the people who will use the space. Planting plays a key role in how a garden supports wellbeing. Texture, scent, movement and seasonal change all contribute to how a space is experienced emotionally. We design planting that:
- Encourages slowing down and reflection
- Creates spaces through soft enclosure and layering
- Introduces sensory interest without overwhelm
- Creates lines of sight and layered views
- Seasonal planting schemes
- Evolves gently through the seasons
Whether designing a family garden, a retreat-like space or a garden experienced from inside the home, planting is used to create atmosphere and emotional connection.
Biodiverse and wildlife friendly planting
Biodiversity is an essential part of resilient garden design. Through planting, we create ecosystems that support pollinators, birds and beneficial insects, while enhancing the overall character of the garden. Our planting schemes often include:
- Nectar-rich and pollen-supporting plants
- Native and pollinator friendly planting
- Structural planting that provides shelter and food
- Layering that creates varied niches for wildlife
- Wild flower and perennial meadows
- Drought tolerant planting
These elements are integrated subtly, ensuring the garden remains elegant and considered while contributing positively to the wider environment.
Sustainable and climate resilient planting
Sustainability is embedded within our planting design process. We select plants that are well suited to the site, local climate and soil conditions, reducing the need for excessive watering, feeding or intervention. Our sustainable planting principles include:
- Right plant, right place
- Resilient plant choices
- Improving soil health to support long-term growth
- Planting that supports biodiversity
- Designing gardens that adapt to a changing climate
Many of our gardens across Wokingham and Berkshire benefit from being improved with long-term soil health and climate resilience in mind, forming part of our wider sustainable garden design approach. This ensures gardens are ecologically rich and resilient.
planting design - our process
Our Planting Design Process
1- A co-designed brief
Whether we are developing a naturalistic or an ornamental planting scheme, our planting design approach ensures our recommendations are rooted in the following elements which we discuss with you and form the basis of our brief:
- Site, soil and microclimate assessment
- Atmosphere and use of the garden
- Views to create from the house
- Lines of sight and layering
- Framing destination and transitional areas
- The architectural style of the house
- The wider landscape
- Your preference in planting style, colour and type
2- The concept and planting plans
We then develop your bespoke planting scheme, which includes the following elements:
- Overall concept idea
- Planting palettes for each area
- Planting style and density for each area
- Detailed planting plans for each area
- Focus on beauty, biodiversity, long season interest
- Including fragrant planting for well being
- Including all year around structure and interest
- Mindful of need for easy maintenance
3- Sourcing and planting out
Finally comes the exciting bit, bringing the plants in! A lot work goes into specifying and sourcing high quality and resilient specimen trees, shrubs, grasses, ferns, perennials and bulbs to plant on soil prepared either by ourselves or a contractor of choice. We can also provide irrigation solutions to help watering young trees and plants for the first two years of establishment if manual watering is not an option.
- Plants & trees specifications
- Sourcing from sustainably managed nurseries
- Planting out (often on improved soil)
- Mulching
- Aftercare recommendations
- Follow up visits to monitor the plants establishment
You can expect your planting to put on significant growth in the first couple of years, filling your space with life to enjoy for years to come.
