Meet the Team: Ben
Lead Designer, On-Site Problem Solver & Chief Garden Thinker
At the heart of our team is Ben — the person who turns awkward spaces, tricky briefs, and “we don’t really know what we want” conversations into beautifully considered gardens. From first sketch to final planting, he’s involved in every stage, making sure ideas don’t just look good on paper, but actually work in real life.
We asked Ben a few questions to find out what really shapes his approach to garden design, and where it all began.
How did you get into garden design?
It started at home — partly working on my own garden, and partly noticing gardens where basic design principles had been overlooked. I found myself spotting quite obvious mistakes, but also appreciating the more subtle, well-executed details in good gardens. That contrast really sparked my interest in how gardens are put together properly.
Earliest gardening memory
Growing sunflowers with my mother. One of them reached 2.4 metres tall — that’s me in the photo looking very impressed.
A young Ben with his Sunflower.
Where do you find inspiration?
Everywhere really. Graphic design is a big one — I love how colours and materials are combined. I also look through Gardens Illustrated, Instagram, and generally getting out and about and noticing things.
The Cambridge Botanic Gardens are especially close by, so they’re a constant source of planting inspiration — which, for me, is one of the most important parts of any garden.
Favourite garden
The Cambridge Botanic Gardens are hard to beat.
Although, I do have to mention one of our own projects in Knightly Avenue, which we’re very proud of and was even featured in a magazine.
What’s one common mistake people make with their gardens?
People are often too afraid to get stuck in. There’s a lot of panic about “killing plants,” but gardening is always a journey, not a fixed destination.
A simple rule of thumb:
· If a plant is cheap, it’s usually easy to grow and therefore harder to kill
· If it’s expensive, it’s often slow-growing, large, or more difficult to establish
People tend to overthink it — but the plants are usually telling you more than the label does.
Biggest challenge in garden design
One of the biggest challenges is uncovering the “unknown unknowns” in a client’s head.
In design meetings, people will tell you likes and dislikes — but there’s always more beneath that. The real skill is asking the right questions to bring those hidden preferences out. Even a simple empty square of a garden can be surprisingly complex once you start exploring what someone actually wants.
What should clients expect when working with you?
A friendly, polite, and hardworking team.
We’re a small local company focused entirely on Cambridge, so we know the area well. Unlike larger firms with separate designers and build teams, we handle both — so the design intent is carried through properly from start to finish.
Favourite plant
Eucomis ‘Pink Gin’ — a real standout.
It’s long-flowering, architectural, and has a slightly exotic feel. It works brilliantly in pots and always gets attention.
Eucomis ‘Pink Gin’
Favourite way to spend a day off
Hiking.
Dream plant destination
Madeira — it’s incredible for plant life, but the best sites require hiking up steep mountain paths to see them properly.
Unfortunately, I’m not great with heights, so it remains a dream destination… at least for now.
Best thing about your job
Being outside every day, and creating something beautiful that lasts.
Unlike many jobs where the end result is hidden (like wiring inside walls), garden design is visible and living — something people can enjoy for years.
Worst thing about your job
Paperwork.
What makes a garden truly successful?
A successful garden is one where the owner really engages with it.
When someone enjoys gardening, it shows immediately in how the space evolves. Even people who start out unsure often grow into it once they understand the plants and get involved. The best gardens are the ones where the person behind them genuinely enjoys being part of the process.
