Meet David Loy MSGD Whose Passion For Horticulture Shines Through In Each And Every One Of His Garden Designs

David Loy’s garden designs are much sought after throughout the South of England and for good reason. David’s design and build practice, Your Garden Design, crafts timeless outdoor spaces that marry beautiful materials and buildings with sympathetic planting schemes.

We asked him about his career so far and what fuels his work ethos.

Q: What inspired you to become a garden designer?

A: I have had a strong passion for horticulture, plants, design and growing since childhood. I started with my own garden and greenhouse at around 10 years old and never stopped from there. I would say horticulture is in my veins and for me, it’s a privilege to be able to get up in the morning and do the job I love.

Q: How long have you been in practice?

A: I started the practice in 2013 having worked since leaving university as a grower in the field of ornamental production horticulture. Having always been a passionate gardener with a keen interest in design, I felt this was the natural step.

Q: Where did you train?

A: I got my degree in horticulture at Myerscough College in Lancashire. My RHS certificate was earned via the RHS residential training programme at Wisley.

Q: Which award winning Chelsea Flower Show gardens inspire you?

A: I was first inspired by gardens from Andy Sturgeon and Roger Platts, and since then, by many others over the years. I feel there is always much to be learned from other people’s designs, especially from the perspective that everyone has a slightly different way of seeing things and approaching solutions to a design brief.

Q: Where do you gain inspiration for your garden designs?

A: I really like naturalistic plantings, and the fusing together of beautiful materials and buildings with planting schemes. I was inspired by the gardens and ethos of great gardeners such as Beth Chatto with her mantra of ‘right plant right place’.

Q: Do you always tend to work with the same landscaper to install your gardens?

A: In that we usually build our own then yes, although we are now using a selected group of independent landscapers to build some of our projects as the number, size and complexity of each product increases.

Q: Tulips or grasses? Which are your favourites and why?

A: Both! Plant genus are so diverse that you cannot compare one with another really. You can’t beat tulips for flower power in the spring. And some really dramatic colour combinations can be achieved. Whilst nothing compares to the movement of a massed grass planting in the late summer through autumn.

Q: In one sentence, how would you encapsulate the transformative power of gardens? 

A: Gardens transcend the mundane bringing life, colour, movement and joy to our environment.

Q: What advice would you offer to newly qualified designers?

A: Immerse yourself in gardening and the world of plants and get out on site to get hands-on with garden builds. Newly qualified designers often have a good handle on hard materials and theory but lack plant based/horticultural knowledge and practical  understanding of build techniques. Colleges and universities no longer have the budgets or facilities to give a ground up practical education in horticulture and it is the practical experience that gives confidence to a design and build project. Joining the Society of Garden Designers is also a great decision.

Q: Which trade shows to you like to attend? 

A: We usually attend The Landscape Show as well as events organised via the Society of Garden Designers.

Q: Which areas of the country do you cover?

A: Sussex and the South of England

Q: Do you specify products for your  designs?

A: Yes

Q: Are you part of any trade body organisations?

A: The Society of Garden Designers.

David's magnificent portfolio of work is showcased on his website at https://www.yourgardendesign.co.uk/  Please do take a look.

You will also find some fine examples of landscaping and garden design excellence on the Arbour Landscape Solutions case study page.

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