Business Details
24 Years
experience
Expert Garden Design & Maintenance in Brighton
Founded in 2002, Ben MacDonald Gardens specialises in creating and maintaining bespoke English gardens that harmonise with both natural landscapes and residential spaces. Our approach prioritises client needs, sustainability, and a profound understanding of the relationship between homes and outdoor environments. With over two decades of experience, we have established ourselves as leaders in southeast Englands gardening industry, offering comprehensive services from initial design to long-term maintenance. Our team combines formal qualifications with hands-on expertise, having trained under renowned figures like Rosemary Verey and Rupert Golby.We focus on crafting gardens that evolve with the seasons, using sustainable materials and planting strategies tailored to local climates and ecosystems. Our collaborative process ensures clients remain integral to every stage, from concept development to implementation. Recognised for blending aesthetic beauty with functional design, we cater to diverse spaces including courtyards, townhouses, and country estates. Client testimonials highlight our attention to detail, horticultural expertise, and ability to transform outdoor spaces into enduring sources of joy and connection with nature.
Services
Garden Design
Landscaping Build
Planting Plans
Garden Maintenance
Courtyard Gardens
Country Estate Gardens
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- 20+ years of specialist garden design and maintenance experience
- Sustainable design principles integrated into every project
- Team holds formal qualifications from HND to arboriculture diplomas
- Client collaboration central to all design and implementation phases
- Proven track record with diverse garden types across southeast England
What people say
Spot on delivery
Incredible job advising
Knowledgeable gardeners
Beautiful results
Pride in process
Services
Garden Design
Our garden design service creates tailored outdoor spaces that evolve with seasons and client needs. We focus on seamless integration between homes and gardens through collaborative concept development, mood boards, and technical drawings. With expertise in sustainable materials and spatial flow, we deliver designs that balance aesthetic beauty with functional use across courtyards, townhouses, and estates.
Landscaping Build
Specialist garden construction using sustainable materials and expert craftsmanship. We implement phased builds from groundwork to final detailing, managing projects directly or coordinating client teams. Our approach ensures structural integrity while maintaining design vision, with particular skill in wall construction, water features, and integrated garden architecture.
Planting Plans
Comprehensive planting strategies that create year-round interest and ecological balance. We develop schemes considering climate, soil type, and seasonal changes, selecting plants for texture, colour, and sustainability. Our expertise includes native species integration, fruit tree cultivation, and creating layered planting that softens architectural elements while supporting local biodiversity.
Garden Maintenance
Tailored maintenance programs ensuring gardens mature as designed. Services include seasonal pruning, irrigation management, and adaptive care plans that evolve with garden development. Our team combines technical horticultural knowledge with attentive service, maintaining both aesthetic standards and ecological health through regular visits or one-off consultations.
Courtyard Gardens
Specialist design and maintenance for compact outdoor spaces. We maximise functionality and beauty in courtyards and balconies through space-efficient planting, vertical gardening techniques, and durable material selection. Our solutions address unique microclimates while creating intimate spaces that connect residents with nature in urban environments.
People
Ben MacDonald
Co-founder and Owner
Garden designer with HND in Garden Design, National Diploma in Landscape Construction, and arboriculture qualifications. Trained under leading designers including Rosemary Verey. Specialises in sustainable garden creation and construction management across southeast England.
Maxine List
Co-founder and Owner
Manages garden maintenance operations with background in floristry and primary education. Trained under Stephen Woodhams, combining practical gardening expertise with client relationship management and seasonal planning for diverse garden types.
Francesco Fassari
Head Gardener
Italian-trained horticulturist with 25 years' experience in garden maintenance. Holds HND in Garden Management and specializes in olive and fruit tree pruning. Key team member for over a decade, providing expert plant care and technical maintenance.
George Glykiotis
Senior Gardener
Experienced gardener with nearly a decade of service. Skilled in border management, plant selection, irrigation systems, and garden carpentry. Appreciated by clients for versatile abilities and attention to detail in both maintenance and implementation phases.
Hamish Brown
Maintenance Gardener
Three-year team member with expertise in border care, turf management, and machinery operation. Emerging social media specialist, managing the company's Instagram presence to showcase projects and gardening techniques to wider audiences.
Questions
What garden design services do you offer?
We provide full-service garden design from concept development to technical drawings, specialising in sustainable, client-focused spaces for urban courtyards to country estates.
Do you handle both garden construction and maintenance?
Yes, we offer complete garden services including build implementation using sustainable materials and long-term maintenance tailored to each garden's specific needs.
How do you ensure sustainable garden practices?
Our designs incorporate native plants, climate-appropriate selections, and sustainable materials. We prioritise ecological balance in planting schemes and maintenance approaches across all projects.
Which areas do you serve?
Primarily operating in southeast England, with particular expertise in Brighton and surrounding regions, handling projects of varying scales and complexity.
Can you maintain existing gardens?
Yes, we provide tailored maintenance programs for established gardens, including seasonal care plans and adaptive management to ensure continued beauty and functionality.
How do I start a garden project?
Contact us through our website with your requirements, specifying whether you need design or maintenance services, and we'll arrange a consultation to discuss your vision.
