🌿 TL;DR
If you regret not updating your garden this year, now’s the perfect time to start planning for next summer. A well-designed garden can take 3–6 months to plan and create properly, from developing a detailed brief to finalising designs and sourcing materials. Starting now means your garden will be ready to enjoy by summer 2026. At Waterlillie Clark, we offer expert garden design and landscaping in Plymouth and across the South West, helping you turn your outdoor space into something truly special.
Did summer 2025 pass you by before you had the chance to enjoy your garden properly? Perhaps you put off that long-awaited update, missed hosting a few barbecues, or found yourself wishing your outdoor space looked and felt more inviting. You’re not alone, as the busy months fly by, garden projects often fall to the bottom of the list.
But here’s the thing: great garden design takes time. From the first sketch to the final planting, a truly well-planned garden can take three to six months to bring to life. That means if you want to be sitting back in a beautiful, functional garden next summer, now is exactly the right time to start planning.
The planning stage: Where the magic happens
A successful garden design begins long before any soil is turned. At Waterlillie Clark, we start with a Design Brief, a detailed conversation about what you want from your garden. This isn’t just about choosing plants or paving; it’s about understanding how you live, how you want to use the space, and what matters most to you.
We’ll look at how the sun moves across your garden, which areas are shaded, and where natural shelter might offer a perfect seating spot. We consider soil type and drainage, which can influence plant choices and lawn quality. The design process also explores whether your garden needs to be child-friendly, pet-safe, low maintenance, or suited to entertaining, all vital details that shape a space that truly works for you.
If your garden is on a slope, we’ll plan how to make it usable and attractive. If it’s small, we’ll maximise every inch through clever design, creating areas that feel spacious and balanced. It’s all about designing a garden that feels like an extension of your home, practical, personal, and beautiful.
From concept to completion
Once the brief and survey are complete, our team creates concept drawings, visual ideas that bring your new garden to life on paper. These are reviewed and refined with your feedback before the detailed design and planting plans are developed. Only then do we move to implementation, where the landscape construction begins, carefully crafted by our skilled team, ready for the finishing touches that make all the difference.
Every step is designed to ensure your new garden is built to last, looks fantastic through every season, and suits your lifestyle perfectly.
Why plan now?
It might feel early to start thinking about your garden when the days are short and cool, but autumn and winter are the ideal seasons for planning. Materials and plants can be sourced in good time, schedules can be booked ahead, and by spring, you’ll be ready to start building. Waiting until the weather warms up often means you’re already behind, so getting started now ensures your garden is complete and ready for those long, sunny days next year.
Why choose Waterlillie Clark
With over 20 years’ experience in the horticultural world, and garden design being one of Luke’s main passions, we bring both creativity and expertise to every project. Based in Plymouth, we work across Devon and the South West, helping clients transform their outdoor spaces through thoughtful design and quality landscaping.
Whether you’re dreaming of a modern entertaining space, a family-friendly garden, or a peaceful sanctuary filled with planting that thrives, we can help make it happen, beautifully and efficiently.
Let’s create something special
So, while summer 2026 might seem a long way off, it will be here before you know it. If you’d like to start planning your perfect garden, now’s the time. Get in touch with Waterlillie Clark to arrange an initial chat and start your journey towards a garden you’ll be proud to share.
📞 01752 312111
📧 office@waterlillieclark.co.uk
🌐 waterlillieclark.co.uk/contact
