What Our Clients Say

We are delighted with the end product and the whole process from design through to planting. We wanted a real transformation, to open up an outdoor living space that would be attractive and in keeping with site and surroundings.  This is what we now have.

Gillian Polley really listened to our ideas, preferences and dislikes. She provided ideas and helped us to refine the brief right through to the selection of plants. She managed the entire process very professionally, including the Planning Application, selection of materials and appointing a landscaper.

We would really recommend Polley Garden Design.

View ‘A Mews Courtyard’ Case Study >>

Polley Garden Design is a super company.  I desperately need professional help and ideas as my garden is on a steep slope with heavy clay soil.  It was a blank canvas, just grass lawn, as I live in a new build house.  From the beginning I was impressed with Gillian’s attention to detail, particularly the proposed planting with shrubs and trees which would provide colour throughout the year.  Gillian met me several times during the planning stage and was always reliable and conscientious.  I had complete faith that she would create a wonderful garden and I wasn’t disappointed! Polley Garden Design completed the work in 2018 and my garden has matured beautifully and is a constant joy.  I highly recommend Gillian and her team.

Gillian was a pleasure to work with from start to finish of redesigning my tricky garden. She totally understood my hopes and ideas for what I wanted and worked imaginatively to make them a practical possibility. Her knowledge and enthusiasm for plants was second to none and has helped the first year of the garden to be more successful than I would have thought possible. I’m certain that I’ll enjoy the garden throughout the seasons for many years to come.

View ‘A Plant Lover’s Garden’ Case Study >>

I have known Gillian for a very long time. I met her at a networking event. We needed a complete makeover for our front garden in Morningside. Gillian re-developed our garden in April 2019, the process from start to finish was excellent, Gillian spent time working out logistically and cosmetically what we wanted to achieve from the garden and then made recommendations on planting, garden flow and logistics. Gillian and Stephen Adamson (Landscaper) were professional and efficient. The project took a number of weeks to complete and involved ground works, planting and paving, all of which was delivered to an excellent standard. I would highly recommend Polley Garden Design.

Gillian very quickly grasped the brief and took the derelict section of our garden and created a design which both complimented and enhanced the existing garden, creating a cohesive design throughout. Her thorough communication and management skills and excellent service ensured that the whole project was efficiently managed from concept through to execution. It is also worth noting that the landscapers and tree removal service she recommended were very experienced and excellent to work with.

Gillian’s design transformed an ugly driveway by the side of the house into a lovely space with interesting and attractive flower beds and fencing. Her design achieved the objectives in a way which I wouldn’t have thought possible. She listened attentively to my ideas and thoughts and through gentle questioning and suggestions explored a variety of possibilities. She was very reliable and communicated well so that deadlines were met. She also brought a freshness and vitality to the project which combined with her excellent project management skills make working with her a very pleasant experience. The garden is now much improved and admired by many people who past the house.

Gillian redesigned our garden in 2016 and project managed the wonderful transformation from start to finish, using her network of trusted, good quality tree removal experts and landscapers, and also liaising with the Council for planning permission on our behalf. Communication and advice were super throughout and, always mindful of budget, Gillian gave us costed options so we could make informed choices about the project. We are delighted with our new garden and have already recommended Gillian and her landscape team to our friends. 

Polley Garden Design created in 2015 a wonderful design and a desire to potter at the bottom of our garden, tending the vegetables and fruit that now flourish in our potager. Introducing raised beds and gravel paths has reduced the back breaking work of the old vegetable plots and created more light in the garden. When work is over we sit enjoying the evening sunshine in our lighter and brighter end of the garden. It is a space that draws everyone to it!

In early 2014 we approached Gillian at Polley Garden Design having admired a project she had recently completed for near neighbours. We wished to replant our rear garden round a raised pond, existing pergola and paved area for table and chairs. In consultation Gillian produced a suitable mixture of shrubs and perennials and she and her team prepared the ground and executed the planing plan meticulously. Unexpectedly we moved south in the autumn of that year. I have no doubt this new planting scheme helped to secure a swift and satisfactory sale of our property.

We had a large, natural water feature built out of granite boulders and wanted the surrounding area to wrap around it. We wanted the garden to look completely natural, blending herbaceous borders with the woodland habitat. The area also had to accommodate a football-loving son and his friends, as well as our summer entertaining. Polley Garden Design came highly recommended and we were absolutely thrilled with the design and subsequent work. Gillian was instantly tuned in to what we were looking for. Apart from her natural intuition, her design flair combined with her horticultural knowledge and experience brought our garden to life. Her colour and shaping was exceptional. The whole project came in on budget and we felt it was money well spent. It was a pleasure to have the team working on the garden and we have continued to call on Gillian for ongoing advice and maintenance. The garden continues to mature and delight us each season. As well as being beautiful, it attracts wildlife and we currently have a duck nesting on our pond for the third year in a row. She clearly loves it and so do we.

With Gillian’s professional skills and advice I have a garden design that suits my needs, makes an effective use of the space and through the careful use of materials is entirely appropriate for its setting. Stephen Adamson from Plantscapes carried out the landscaping work to a very high standard. We are delighted with the final result and look forward to many happy hours seeing the garden grow and develop. Phase 2 of our garden transformation is now complete (April 2015) and is no less dramatic than phase 1. We now see the full beauty of Gillian’s design, how the two parts of the garden are integrated; the patio in the back garden echoing the seating area in the front garden; the flowing lines of the drive echoed in the flowerbeds in the back garden. Each part of the garden has its own identity which relates to the whole. Her fresh eyes saw opportunities that would never have occurred to us; she has succeeded in matching the garden to its surroundings, and this has changed how the house sits within the plot and given us a garden that we can enjoy throughout the year. Throughout the whole process we have been impressed with Gillian’s dedication and professionalism; she developed a unique design that met our needs, our location and our garden; we are thrilled with the end result!

Moving into a new house with a blank canvas for a garden was overwhelming. Polley Garden Design provided fantastic support to translate a tentative vision into reality. Gillian provided thought provoking input, providing advice and a range of options to help us shape the brief. Once the brief was in place, Gillian quickly developed the design. She was also patient with us as we revised plans as our thinking evolved. The execution of the plans was seamless. Gillian’s team completed the work whilst we were away on a short break – we returned to a wonderful new garden and a very tidy garden shed. In the 4 years since the work was completed, the garden has matured into a beautiful haven, and we couldn’t be happier with the service Polley Garden Design provided.

We were absolutely delighted with the service provided by Polley Garden Design. Gillian guided us through every step of the process in a highly professional manner. From the design plans, through the tendering and execution, to the final planting plan, the whole experience was both reassuring and exciting. The finished garden gives us real pleasure and is so much more usable than the overgrown jungle prior to transformation. The kids have more space to run around in and the new patio area has been the venue for many enjoyable gatherings. We can highly recommend her services.

As I look out at the courtyard garden this spring, it looks lovely with the spring blossom of the trained fruit trees and full of promise for the summer after the winter gloom. Gillian Polley listened very carefully to what I wanted, but also guided me in areas I was unsure about. Her project management was very welcome and ensured the landscaping was correctly carried out where my inexperience wouldn’t have picked things up. There were several areas of the design which I didn’t fully appreciate until the garden had matured for a couple of years. People walking pass often look into the garden which has the lure of a ‘secret garden’ and now it has grown, it is exactly what I wanted.

We contacted Gillian, having received a recommendation, to design our rear garden. She did a fantastic job: she was keen to understand how we used and would use the garden, our likes and dislikes, and favourite plants and colours and was very helpful in making suggestions as to what we could achieve. The design was great, with superb use of space, and the implementation, with Stephen Adamson from Plantscapes, is just perfect. We now have interest all year round and a delightful garden – so much so that we went back to her for our front garden. Gillian project-managed both back and from developments and kept in contact with us throughout. Professional to a tee and a pleasure to work with, I would highly recommend her.

Gillian was recommended to me initially by a colleague whose garden she had previously overhauled. We were also going through a total revamp of our back garden and wanted a company which was going to meet our requirements and critically deliver a great garden which we can enjoy! Gillian and her team delivered on all fronts. At our consultation sessions Gillian was endlessly helpful in having to provide details of all design options and the planting schemes. She also managed the planning process with ease and in line with the agreed timescales. With Gillian’s beautiful design and planting scheme finalised and approved we moved into phase 2 – project management of the hard landscaping. I can truly say it was seem less – on time, accurate and neat! We were delighted with the results. Phase 3 followed (again in line with the agreed time frames) with Gillian and her team planting up. We were genuinely delighted with the results – the garden and the planting scheme is wonderful. Year round colour and a soft feel was the aim and that has certainly been met. It has been much admired and we love it! In fact we love it so much we couldn’t bear not to have the front garden looking as good, so we instructed Gillian again for a design and revamp. It is just what we wanted and much admired by neighbours and passers-by!

We have been delighted with the results achieved by Gillian Polley in our garden. Firstly, our back garden wilderness was transformed when Gillian wrapped her design around the garden room we had built. Gillian listened carefully to our thoughts and ideas and introduced her own expertise both in design and planting. Without hesitation, we subsequently commissioned Polley Garden Design to re-configure our front garden into a more functional driveway. From design concepts to execution and planting we were kept well informed and the work was carried out with the minimum of inconvenience. We now have two beautiful spaces with lovely combinations of plants which give us all year round colour and interest. 

Gillian Polley has been invaluable in helping to rejuvenate and redesign our ageing large garden. She can be as conservative or as radical as you like and you never feel under pressure as Gillian believes that when it comes to gardens, patience is more often than not a virtue. A delight to work with in every way.

My experience with Polley Garden Design was first class. From the initial consultation to the end result Gillian always dealt with me in a professional and efficient manner, appointments always kept and excellent two-way communication on all aspects of the project. The attention to detail for the type of plants and their aftercare was excellent. I was very happy with the end result, a little bit of colour to brighten up the basement areas of our property. On time (weather dependent) and on budget. A pleasure to work with in all respects.

Gillian redesigned the terrace for our 1920’s house and created a lovely user friendly space which links the garden and house perfectly. Her choice of materials and design blends really well with our garden and we are drawn to sit on the terrace at every opportunity in this Scottish climate. It was a pleasure working with Gillian, and the landscape team and we have would continued to recommend their services.

Gillian helped us with the design and project management of our driveway and surrounding planting in 2011. Her design is unique and enhances our property beautifully. Her level of communication and professionalism was excellent throughout the project. We are delighted with the results.

Gillian helped us with the design and project management of our driveway and surrounding planting in 2011. Her design is unique and enhances our property beautifully. Her level of communication and professionalism was excellent throughout the project. We are delighted with the results.

Gillian transformed our garden in 2005 with a judicious selection of trees, shrubs and plants. The new garden compliments an older woodland garden with a sense of place and allows the eye to flow seamlessly from the garden to mature woodland views. The planting includes many of our favourites and introduced us to new plants to create colour and year round interest. Gillian managed the work over several months and liaised with other contractors. We are delighted by the end result. The garden has matured quickly and continues to provide interest and pleasure.

Gillian is familiar with the soil and the local climate, and therefore knew what would grow well and thrive in our garden. We saw the garden as being an extension of the house, and as we’d done so much renovation work, it was simply a way of completing the project. A garden is also a great investment for the future – it will continue to grow even more beautiful as it matures. We were delighted with the concept by Polley Garden Design. Having the garden professionally designed has added immeasurable to our home – it’s our dream garden. The workmanship of the contractors drafted in by Gillian was flawless. It has exceeded our expectations. It is so lovely to come home to, and there’s so much wildlife in the garden. The garden has enhanced our lives hugely and is now the focal point of our home.