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Recommended Planting specialist

s7ewgs7ewg Posts: 12
in Garden design
Hi, I’m struggling to find a really good company/business for planting? Every company I have round seem to be more interested in landscaping. I have a large garden project which I’m doing piece by piece but I have a large planting requirement and can’t seem to find the right people, I live in Windsor any recommendation would be appreciated!
Thanks!
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Posts

  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    Hilliers?
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @s7ewg No one has added to this thread because Hilliers are the very best.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • McRazzMcRazz Posts: 440
    I could help here.

    How big are we talking - Do you have any numbers? 10,000 plants or a few hundred plants? Trees? shrubs?

    Install only, or supply and install?
  • s7ewgs7ewg Posts: 12
    Hillier’s are a garden Center though?? I’m looking for a Gardener who can provide a full solution service
    Thanks!
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @s7ewg Sorry read' large planting requirement' as planting up a newly landscaped garden.
    When it comes to on going maintenance, suggest you try the RHS if you are looking for a skilled gardener with qualifications. There have been some horror stories regarding 'gardener's ' on this forum only recently. May I suggest you are fully involved with who ever you employ at first. If you wish to benefit from their gardening skills perhaps go  out there and garden with them? Building a good relationship and showing a keen interest is the best way to keep a good gardener. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    s7ewg said:
    Hillier’s are a garden Center though?? I’m looking for a Gardener who can provide a full solution service
    I am sure if you contacted Hilliers they would have some good advice for you. I have never looked into it but I would be surprised if they did not offer useful advice or services. They are not the usual bog standard local Garden Centre.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Joyce Goldenlily Seventy four consecutive Chelsea Gold Medals speaks for it's self. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • McRazzMcRazz Posts: 440
    GardenerSuze said:
    @s7ewg Sorry read' large planting requirement' as planting up a newly landscaped garden.
    When it comes to on going maintenance, suggest you try the RHS if you are looking for a skilled gardener with qualifications. There have been some horror stories regarding 'gardener's ' on this forum only recently. May I suggest you are fully involved with who ever you employ at first. If you wish to benefit from their gardening skills perhaps go  out there and garden with them? Building a good relationship and showing a keen interest is the best way to keep a good gardener. 
    Just be prepared to pay the gardener for their non-productive time in this instance
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @McRazz My job used to consist mostly of planting, weeding, designing borders. Not the really physically hard work. At the end of the day it was often tiring but rewarding. You do need a breather along the way, I used that time  to discuss with my clients.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • McRazzMcRazz Posts: 440
    edited October 2022
    Ah that's nice, we work(ed) in a similar industry...possibly we've even worked with the same people?! Its funny you mentioned Hillier's as I know James Hillier, he's coming up for a meeting with me in a couple of weeks to discuss bits and bobs, I had no idea they did planting as a contractor.

    The reason I mention non-productive time is because commercial landscape contractors such as myself tender all of our work on fixed, lump sum cost. This means that a client asking constant questions, as good intentioned as they may be, will inevitably delay us and cost us time and money. As a consequence we unfortunately often keep well away from client led planting jobs, which might suggest why OP is having difficulty getting a landscaper involved. 

    My line of thought is exactly the same as yours, get an RHS accredited gardener involved. First and foremost they almost exclusively work to hourly or day rates so the clients well intentioned interruptions don't affect their margin, and secondly they will do a stellar and conscientious job (hopefully!)
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