About Luxe Gardens
I believe that a beautiful garden should be an extension of your personality and lifestyle. Here’s a little more about who I am, my philosophy, and the passion that drives me to create stunning yards.
Meet Yvette - the creative mind behind Luxe Gardens
My journey in garden design
After moving from Zimbabwe to London, from open spaces to pack-everything-in living, my husband and I got a small flat – with its own tiny ice-cream cone shaped garden. It was solid concrete crazy paving, and I was thrilled. A garden!
I bought a bench. Then I got brave and bought some plants. I sat on the bench and watched them all die... The concrete didn’t get any more interesting even before the plants died.
I didn’t do anything else with the garden except sit on the bench and overthink what would be best and suffered severe analysis paralysis.
After 5 years there, we moved to NZ and got a house with a much bigger garden.
I was even more thrilled!
A lawn!
And only a tiny bit of concrete...
… But it was so dull and dreary. So, I bought a swing seat. And some plants. And watched a lot of them die too!
Landscaping! That was the key, I decided.
I nearly broke my back doing imaginative landscaping, but with no real plans or know how. I also bought a fountain the size of a small motorcar. And still I didn’t like what I saw - the whole space just lacked “something”.
What was it that created the “ah! that’s so beautiful” sigh when I’d seen soul-satisfying gardens?
I decided to find out once and for all… and signed up for professional courses. And discovered what those “somethings” are!
I redesigned my garden and built it and planted it up using all the “somethings” and every day I look at my own garden and sigh “ah! that’s so beautiful…”
My approach to garden design
Every garden – without exception –
can be beautiful.
I don’t just say this, I believe it.
It’s just knowing how to get there, no matter what your location and site, climate, or gardening ability. Moving your thinking away from whatever is the problem and holding you back to seeing new ways of doing things brings successful change. And it IS possible – every time!
I also know that a new garden that takes your needs into account is crucial. And so is budget.
Creating a “do it once, get it right” result is the only way forward, so I’m all for asking the right questions, hearing what you say, creating mood boards and keeping communication channels open.
Respecting your budget is a priority. I am a strong advocate of only working with local and responsibly sourced materials including the plants…
… And choosing plants that suit your climate (right plant – right place) and your maintenance capacity is key.
Why choose Luxe Gardens?
I specialise in turning your garden dreams into reality through personalised garden design and expert consultation services.
With over 10 years of hands-on experience and a passion for both landscaping and planting design, I provide custom, creative solutions that suit every garden, whether it's a small courtyard or a sprawling backyard.
Why work with me?…
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Personalised Design
Tailored solutions to suit your needs and preferences
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Creative Solutions
Unique, thoughtful designs that transform outdoor spaces
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Expertise & Experience
Years of hands-on experience in garden design
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Sustainability
A focus on eco-friendly and sustainable practices where ever possible
My Experience & Credentials
I have 10 years of hands-on experience in garden design with clients and teaching students.
The journey started with signing up for courses after years of frustration that I couldn’t get my garden “right” no matter what I did.
After completing the Successful Garden Design course, I signed up for several Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) endorsed courses on Learning with Experts and Udemy to keep abreast of what’s out there in the world.
Tuning into regular weekly blogs keeps me focused on world gardening trends, especially the challenges of climate change for most gardeners. I love expanding my knowledge bank to include ideas I’d never even considered for myself. It’s a great way to bring unique solutions to the table for anyone who is not sure which way to go.
Lockdown was interesting. Hours of time and nothing to do! By chance the idea of providing designs by mail was born. Gifting a design to a distant gardener was a real breakthrough.
Technology and the internet allow me to design for people I can't get to or visit! The internet and all technology are amazing things!
As a past educator, I still love the classroom!
I teach evening classes in private homes and at the local school in their Community Education sector. The courses for landscaping and hardscaping take learners along a start-to-finish journey to design their own gardens. Their dreams start on paper and for many, they emerge into real life.
Life is not worth much without people! Ongoing visits to student gardens for “field trips” brings opportunities for me to see exactly what people are working with and offer encouragement. The trips are huge fun and provide insights and advice for everyone. We’ve had more post-course socials than are probably justified… but that’s not the point!
“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all, it teaches entire trust.”
- Gertrude Jekyll