Business Details
24 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Landscaping Solutions in Brighton
Founded in 2002, Ben MacDonald Gardens has established itself as a leading garden design and maintenance company in southeast England. Our team combines over two decades of experience with a deep passion for nature, delivering bespoke gardens that harmonise with clients' lifestyles and the natural environment. We specialise in creating spaces that evolve with the seasons, from intimate courtyards to expansive country estates. Our approach prioritises sustainability, using locally sourced materials and planting schemes that support biodiversity. With a core team of five and collaborations with skilled freelancers, we ensure every project benefits from both specialist expertise and a personal touch.Our services span the complete garden lifecycle - from initial concept and technical drawings to construction, planting, and long-term maintenance. We work closely with clients to understand their vision, translating it into gardens that inspire wonder and foster a sense of belonging. Our team's qualifications include formal training under renowned garden designers and certifications in landscape construction and plant management. We maintain transparency throughout our process, implementing projects in stages to ensure client satisfaction at every phase. Our commitment to quality has earned us repeat clients and glowing testimonials from satisfied homeowners.
Services
Garden Design
Landscape Construction
Planting Schemes
Garden Maintenance
Consultation Services
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- 20+ years of experience in English garden design and maintenance
- Sustainable approach using locally sourced materials and native plants
- Team includes formally trained horticulturists and certified garden designers
- Collaborative process ensuring client vision guides every project stage
- Proven track record with glowing testimonials from long-term clients
What people say
Spot on
Incredible job
Knowledgeable
Beautiful gardens
Services
Garden Design
Our garden design service creates bespoke outdoor spaces tailored to your property and lifestyle. We develop detailed concept plans through collaborative client consultations, considering factors like local climate, soil conditions, and architectural style. Our designs balance aesthetic appeal with practical functionality, incorporating sustainable materials and native plant species to ensure gardens thrive naturally over time.
Landscape Construction
We implement garden designs using high-quality sustainable materials and expert craftsmanship. Our construction process follows phased implementation to ensure client satisfaction at each stage, from groundwork and drainage to hardscaping and structural elements. We either deploy our own skilled team or coordinate third-party specialists to deliver precise execution of technical plans while maintaining design integrity.
Planting Schemes
Our planting services focus on creating dynamic, seasonally evolving gardens that support biodiversity. We develop tailored planting plans considering soil type, light exposure, and maintenance requirements. The team selects appropriate plant varieties for their form, texture, and ecological benefits, ensuring gardens maintain visual interest throughout the year while complementing the overall design vision.
Garden Maintenance
We offer comprehensive garden maintenance to preserve and enhance established landscapes. Our services include seasonal pruning, border management, irrigation system maintenance, and pest control. The team adapts care routines to each garden's specific needs, ensuring plants thrive while maintaining the original design's aesthetic intent through regular, tailored upkeep visits.
People
Ben MacDonald
Co-founder and Owner
Garden designer with HND in Garden Design & Management, trained under renowned designers including Rosemary Verey. Specialises in creating sustainable gardens that harmonise with their surroundings through collaborative client engagement and expert implementation.
Maxine List
Co-founder
Manages garden maintenance operations with background in floristry and primary education. Brings organisational expertise to client liaison and seasonal planning, ensuring smooth project execution and long-term garden care coordination.
Francesco Fassari
Head Gardener
Italian-trained horticulturist with 25 years' experience in garden maintenance. Specialises in olive and fruit tree pruning, bringing technical expertise to plant care while ensuring gardens maintain their designed aesthetic through meticulous upkeep.
George Glykiotis
Maintenance Gardener
Skilled gardener with nearly a decade of experience in border management, plant care, and irrigation systems. Appreciated by clients for technical versatility and ability to handle diverse garden maintenance tasks efficiently.
Hamish Brown
Maintenance Gardener
Three-year team member specialising in turf and border management. Combines practical gardening skills with social media expertise, contributing to both garden maintenance and the company's digital marketing presence.
Questions
What garden design services do you offer?
We provide full garden design services from concept development to technical drawings, creating bespoke outdoor spaces tailored to your property and lifestyle needs.
Do you handle both garden construction and maintenance?
Yes, we offer complete garden lifecycle services including design, build, planting, and ongoing maintenance to ensure your garden thrives long-term.
Which areas do you serve?
We primarily operate in southeast England, working on gardens ranging from urban courtyards to country estates.
How experienced is your team?
Our core team has over 20 years' combined experience, including formal training under renowned garden designers and certifications in landscape construction and plant management.
What makes your approach sustainable?
We use locally sourced materials, native plant species, and eco-friendly practices that support biodiversity while creating gardens that naturally evolve with the seasons.
