The relationship between designer and client should be an equal one, writes Jane Powers.
It gives me a lovely warm feeling to hear the designer of an award-winning Chelsea Flower Show garden talking about clothes lines. "A garden has to be practical," says Paul Martin, winner of the People's Choice award in the Chic Garden category at last year's show. "If she wants a washing line, and he wants a barbecue, and the kids want somewhere for a bouncy castle, then all that has to be catered for by the designer." This is not the sort of thing that you'd expect to hear issuing from the creator of some exceptionally slick gardens.
"It should not be a prima donna situation," explains Martin, who has also made a garden for actor Jeremy Irons's castle in Skibbereen, and is now redesigning the gardens at the Slieve Russell Hotel in Co Cavan, and the Hilton Hotel in Prague. "The client should not be intimidated by the designer. If the client thinks that something doesn't work, they shouldn't be afraid to say so."
I'm repeating these words of Paul Martin's because you may need them later, should you ever have your garden designed.
It's not widely spoken about, but a curious thing can happen to your brain when you hire an expert type such as a garden designer (or architect, or builder, or anybody who has a skill you don't have). Your confidence turns to mush, and you are afraid to voice your opinion, or possibly, even to have an opinion. You let the designer do all the thinking for you - and this is a very bad idea.
For instance, designer says: "I've put some beautiful floribunda roses here. You'll have to spray them fortnightly." You say: "Oh?" and then, "Oh! Of course! Naturally!", while somewhere a little squashed voice fails to make itself heard: "But I thought we wanted an organic garden!"
The relationship between designer and client should be an equal partnership, which means you need to practise freeing that squashed voice. And the best way to free it is to be closely involved in the design process right from the start.
So what happens when you hire a garden designer? Quite simply, you phone them up, tell them a bit about your garden and make an appointment for them to come over. On this visit the designer will assess the plot (its dimensions, soil, climate, boundaries, changes in level, existing planting and features, and views that should be enhanced, or hidden). They will also want to know about your aspirations for the space, and your lifestyle: for instance, whether there are children or a dog, or whether everyone is working during the day and the garden should have evening interest.
This is the time to get across your vision for the garden. Do you want it to be formal, relaxed, a haven for wildlife, a party venue, an extra family room, a place for growing food, or maybe a place of mad, tropical-looking fantasy? Alas, the latter isn't possible if you're living in a windswept coastal plot, but you won't know if you don't ask (realism, unfortunately, must must be factored into the process at some point).
Susan Maxwell, chairman of the Garden and Landscape Designers Association (GLDA) advises: "Have a wish-list ready - what you like, and more important, what you don't like. And give the designer an idea of your budget."
It's essential, she counsels, that you have a rapport with whoever you're letting loose on your garden. "You have to get on with your designer. It's better to call out three designers, and pay three call-out fees, to find the right person."
After the consultation, the designer will come back with a concept sketch which you can bat around some more, or, in the case of a simple job, he or she will produce working drawings and a plant list at this point.
Some designers have an in-house landscaping team to do the physical work. Others may recommend a contractor, whom they will supervise. Or, you might want to do the work yourself. If it's a big job, you could phase the work over a couple years (start near the house, so you see results soon). You may not even require plans from the designer. An afternoon's consultation may be all that's needed to crystallise your own ideas.
And what of fees? "There are many ways to skin a cat," says the GLDA's brochure. No, actually, it doesn't. What it really says is: "Designers charge different fees according to the type and extent of the service they offer. Some designers charge by the hour ... others by a prearranged fee or percentage of the overall job."
According to Susan Maxwell, hourly rates vary from around €45 to €60, scaled drawings may cost upwards of €800, and percentages range between 10 to 15 per cent, which goes on top of the price of the overall job. Travel and other expenses are extra.
"It's important for everyone's sake that there is no ambiguity about the fee, and what the client will get for it," urges Susan.
It's also important, if I may add my own thoughts here, to recognise that garden design is not interior design. Firstly, plants are not furniture or art. They grow. And need looking after. There is no such thing as a truly low-maintenance garden. Either you have to do the work yourself, or get someone to do it.
And secondly, garden designers are not magicians. They can't give you a romantic herbaceous border in a dank, dark corner; or a limestone-lined canal if you're not prepared to shell out the sponduliks. But they should be able to incorporate a clothes line into a family garden.
Paul Martin, 087-6894759; paulbmartin@eircom.net. The Garden & Landscape Designers Association, 72 Deerpark Road, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin. See www.glda.ie
BEFORE YOU MEET THE DESIGNER
REQUIREMENTS CHECKLIST
Clothes line. Area for bins. Fuel store or fuel tank. Compost area. Garden shed. Built-in storage. Car-parking area. Privacy from the neighbours. Patio or sitting area. Water (fountain, pool, wildlife pond). Lawn. Flower garden. Children's play area. Barbecue area. Built-in seating. Outdoor lighting. Summerhouse. Herb garden. Vegetable beds. Soft fruit area (raspberries etc). Fruit trees. Greenhouse.