SUSSEX
gARDEN

With

Sarah
Mitchenall

- Uniquely personal garden design.
1

INTRODUCTION

I'm Sarah Mitchenall, a garden designer and passionate horticulturalist based in Brighton who has been creating gardens professionally for over 25 years.

I founded Sussex Garden in 2014 to consolidate my skills and project management experience and offer a full garden design-to-completion service through partnerships with trusted landscaping teams.

I specialise in a holistic and deeply personal approach, where the client and their unique needs and lifestyle are always at the heart of every project at every stage.

I work extensively around Brighton & Hove and throughout Sussex and the surrounding areas, beyond I offer a remote service across the UK and internationally.

Sarah Mitchenall stands with her back to the camera amoungst wildflowers looking out to a field of yellow flowers.
Sarah Mitchenall has over 25 years experience in Garden Design and Management.

Sarah continues to be an inspiration to us.

Our garden was a hideous mess, but has been absolutely transformed into a beautiful family garden and entertaining space.

Seb, Brighton

such a pleasure to deal with someone who intuitively understands

what you want to achieve and brings that vision to life in a realistic and cost effective manner. Couldn't recommend Sarah highly enough, an absolute pleasure to work with.

Samuel, Brighton

We now have a garden which contains beautiful contrasts;

its layout has a natural flow and there are elements of interest all around, on top of which it works brilliantly for us, our growing boys, and is perfect for entertaining.

Kate, Brighton

Sarah did an incredible job designing our garden.

From the first meeting, she listened to our ideas and diligently assessed the site, creating a beautiful contemporary space that perfectly complements our recently remodelled home.

She skilfully integrated areas for relaxation, dining, and play, while overseeing the landscaper and the planting process to deliver a stunning, functional garden for the whole family. Thank you, Sarah, for your patience, passion, and commitment. We love our wonderful garden!

Alex, Brighton
2

SERVICES

Alongside the signature Sussex Garden complete design and build service, I offer a handful of related garden design and management alternatives. Select a service below to read more.

The full design to completion service is the primary purpose of Sussex Garden.

I find it very rewarding to move with a client through the process from the spark of an initial conversation through to a fully realised living breathing garden, ready for years of enjoyment.

I will work with you personally throughout the process, directly taking on the design and planning, then instructing and managing landscapers throughout the creation of your garden. Once complete I will be on hand to advise and support you through the maintenance and care of your garden.

You can read a more detailed account of the steps involved in the design-to-completion service in the process section, or contact me to arrange an initial consultation and get started!

In cases where a full drawing board reset isn’t the right solution but there is clear scope for improvement I offer a garden refresh service.

Primarily this usually involves substantial new planting, but can take many forms depending on your existing space.

A refresh has the potential to dramatically transform a space, breathing new life and vibrancy into a garden.

Originally a necessity during lockdown, Remote Design now allows me to reach out and offer a garden design service outside of my base areas in Sussex and South-East England to clients with gardens across the UK and internationally.

Broadly the Remote service follows the same steps as the full design to completion service, but rather than being face-to-face all meetings and consultations are carried out over video calls. I can give you advice and supporting drawings about how to measure for a site survey should you wish to do this yourself, and will be available to liase extensively with landscapers and plantsmen you employ throughout your garden build.

In addition to offering integrated services I am available to hire as a consultant.

Commonly this is to work alongside other professionals you may have in place, either in the role of a design consultant or as a project manager overseeing landscaping works and specialist builds.

3

PROCESS

No two projects are the same, but these are the aspects of design, planning and construction broadly common to every project during the full Design-to-Completion service. Select a process step to read more.

Through a free initial consultation we can broadly talk through the scope of your requirements and the current state of your garden space, we will go over both your design ideas and practical needs.

An initial consultation is usually simply a chat on phone from where you can decide if you'd like to move forward into the next steps.

Contact me to arrange an initial consultation and get started!

This is where the excitement really starts. Before we meet I will ask you to think about your future garden, to share everything you love, hate, or really hope for. Are you looking to relax – socialise - indulge a hobby – children - animals? Tell me a bit about the ideal garden for you and most importantly how you would love to spend time in it.

We’ll also discuss practical considerations – privacy, boundaries, accessibility.

Every one of us has a unique set of likes and dislikes, be that modern materials or tropical plants, we will find out what it is that you really enjoy so I can build a design with those things in mind.

It’s all about making a garden that is right for each individual, deeply exploring this before the design stage allows the form of the garden to be fully informed by your needs and wishes, and is the basis of ensuring the completed garden is uniquely tailored to you.

Where possible meetings are carried out in person, but if not practical these can also be successfully carried out over a video call.

After this meeting I will produce a Design brief outlining our discussion accompanied by a quote for design fees.

For smaller gardens locally I will measure the site and draw up the Survey Plan. for larger gardens, those further afield, or sites with complicated levels, I may instruct a land surveyor.

The survey will show your house, boundaries, existing features and levels required for the subsequent preparation of the Garden Design.

The design stage is where the process really begins to come alive.

I will take all I have learned about you and factor in the potential and possibilities apparent in your available space. I will study the terrain and planting in your locale and endeavour to create a design which exists in balance within the environment it sits in. A design for a garden which is in harmony with you and becomes an integral part your home.

I always look to maximise areas of planting in any scheme. Plants, trees and growth are the lifeblood of any great garden, and are my primary initial consideration for any new design.

A number of plans will be created for your new garden, these will allow you to understand and visualise the design, and will give detailed information required for the garden build.

Concept Drawings begin the design process. This is where we play with ideas, see the style of the garden evolve, and start to understand how potential layouts would change the feel of the space. Supporting imagery and 3D graphics are used to really bring the ideas to life and ensure you feel really confident and excited about every aspect being planned.

Planting Plans show the location, spacing, and plants to be used, with corresponding imagery to help you visualise the colour pallet and style of the planting. A quote for supplying the plants, setting them out and planting can also be supplied from this plan.

Landscaping Plans are the drawings and specifications that enable a landscaper to quote accurately for the work, and build the garden. Supporting imagery and 3D graphics are also used at this stage.

Creating a new garden is a big decision and it is really important to me that you are happy and exited about the work ahead.

A recommended contractor will be introduced to you, and a fixed price quotation prepared, breaking down each element of the works into sections so you can choose how you want to proceed and when. If you have your own contractors, I am happy to work with them too.

The level of project management required will differ for each garden. I can offer advise on what you might need, based on my experience, to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

In many cases a simple layout session with the landscaper will suffice and I am available to make site visits as required by the contractor or the client on request.

More complex or larger gardens often have more elements that need managing throughout the build. I am available to oversee the entire garden build, from finding reliable contractors and scheduling works, to the final planting and lighting details. I work together with the client, to ensure that the build goes to plan, schedules are followed and everything is covered, taking the stress out of the build for you and ensuring that the highest quality of garden is obtained.

I personally oversee the planting for your new garden. From gaining quotes for the supply of the perfect plants, to the delivery and laying out on site. I work with wonderful plantsmen who ensure that everything is planted as it should be to ensure a beautiful and blooming garden.

After the garden has been built and planted, I offer my clients a walk around the garden to go over the aftercare requirements, it enables me to answer any queries you might have and to hand over the garden.

Thereafter I offer one-to-one training on how to correctly prune and care for your garden, sessions explaining how to successfully replant, and the nurture required for specific species. These are fun and informative lessons and I have found they really help clients to get the most out of a new garden.

I usually find that within a few visits clients have learned enough to carry on without me. For larger scale maintenance I am also happy to advise and arrange a garden maintenance company to come in and tend to your garden.

4

PORTFOLIO

This selection of photographs from my portfolio showcases an overview of some of my gardens both locally and further afield.

5

PROFILE

I love gardens, and I am fundamentally in love with the romance of gardens.

Our gardens have the potential to be transcendental places - healing, fun, growing places, where we retreat, socialise and raise our children.

Those of us with the time and inclination can immerse ourselves in the tactile process of gardening, the rewards of nurture - growth and discovery.

Observing and tending our gardens can teach us many things, patience, a grounded presence, an appreciation for moments of wonder within transient cycles. The simple joy of a tiny vibrant shoot. Growth, retreat, and rebirth.

I am grateful for the opportunity to design such magical spaces for others. A garden designed just for you, a living, thriving harbour in which to exist, and create years of unique and beautiful memories.

Portrait of Sarah Mitchenall.
Sarah Mitchenall specialises in a holistic and deeply personal approach to garden design.

Sarah creates timeless designs with a modern twist.

Her knowledge and understanding are unrivalled, taking time to understand your needs and requirements which are then carefully integrated into the design. The end result is a truly unique garden, which not only stands the test of time but also creates an extension to your home.

Hannah, Brighton

I can't recommend Sarah highly enough.

She has transformed our neglected garden into a beautiful space that we now love using and sitting in. She understood exactly what we were looking for, is extremely open and flexible, and she is a joy to interact with.

Rosella, London

Absolutely amazing from start to finish!

I could not be happier with my new garden and the service Sarah has provided.

Julie, Brighton

The outcome is a stunning, mature garden

where the old and new have blended harmoniously, and we thoroughly enjoy using as a family.

We had a number of different priorities, Sarah did a brilliant job of breaking down all the requirements and bringing them into a coherent and importantly, beautiful plan and design. She worked well with the existing garden, altering what was necessary but also keeping large elements, to consider costs, enabling us to benefit from many of the existing mature trees and shrubs.

Sarah was really good fun to work with, excellent knowledge and creativity with a down to earth and hands on approach.

Katie, Hurstpierpoint

A background in project management and my vast horticultural experience means I’m uniquely positioned to directly and personally guide every stage of a garden project from inception to completion, managing landscaping teams and liaising with plant suppliers.

I pride myself on offering a uniquely personal service. I am approachable and open, and able to intuit what a client truly requires in a garden design - whether or not they are able to fully articulate it - and through guided discussion come to a detailed understanding of each clients specific needs. It is this understanding which is the critical foundation of a successful bespoke design.

Originally trained as a sculptor, I have a deep understanding of materials, their structural qualities and appearance, from the grandeur of beautiful stone to the warmth and charm of handcrafted brick, each material has a feel and aesthetic that can determine the outcome of a garden.

This sculptural language carries through resonantly into an innate spatial understanding. I work in three dimensions - I think in three dimensions – this allows me to visualise areas of your garden at an early stage, ensuring there is the right balance in the design. Whether you require areas to relax, to socialise, to play, to work - a garden is not just a space to admire, but should be a practical space tailored to you, complimenting and enhancing the way you live.

Where possible I increasingly emphasise the benefits of a planting driven design, we often underestimate not just the the need for the right plants, but the need for more substantial areas of planting. I estimate 20-30% of the budget should be allowed for plants - it is a garden after all. As a nation of gardeners and garden dwellers we are moving closer again to wilder spaces, our value in the unkempt awakening as we understand the benefit to nature. Generous planting not only adds depth and beauty, it has tangible local ecological benefits. I always revel in the opportunity to create my clients their own personal wilderness.

Yes, I love gardens with an ingrained passion - I also love creating gardens. Unique, timeless gardens, nourishing personal spaces with enduring appeal.

6

CONTACT

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any queries or to setup an initial consultation.

I have outlined below a few answers to frequently asked practical questions. If you are uncertain about any aspect please do contact me, I would love to hear from you and be happy to help.

The following breaks down common costs and fees. These will always be agreed before work commences.

  • Full Design to Completion Service

    Expect design & consultancy fees to account for approximately 10% of the garden budget. A minimum design fee of £2,500 applies.

  • Consultancy

    Commonly this is to work alongside other professionals you may have in place, either in the role of a design consultant or as a project manager, charged hourly at £90.

  • Practical Work

    Practical work including planting and maintenance, charged hourly at £50.

All stated prices exclude VAT.

Every project is different, but after an initial consultation I will be able to give you details on my availability and offer estimates based on the size and location of your garden.

I work primarily around Brighton & Hove and through Sussex, but can take on projects throughout the South-East of England. For areas which aren't practical to reach in person I offer a remote design service for clients across the UK and internationally.