In 2010 I trained at the KLC School of Design in Chelsea and gained a Distinction in Planting Design as well as the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) Level 2 Certificate in Horticulture. Previously I had a 20-year career in Public Relations which taught we how to be a good communicator, a reliable project manager and to keep a sense of humour at all times!

Muddy Boots is the result of my lifelong love of plants and a belief that well-designed, beautifully-planted garden spaces can simply make life – and the environment we live in – better.

The Muddy Boots ethos is that gardens can be simply designed to combine all the benefits of nature with the practicalities that every garden owner needs, to create a space that is natural, immersive and really rather life-enhancing.

My designs focus on the use of plants to create spaces, atmosphere, screening and views. I incorporate hard landscaping where it’s needed within the design, whilst working to minimise the environmental impact of the materials and methods used so that the creation of one environment isn’t to the detriment of another.

I work closely with skilled local contractors and quality trade nurseries to help clients bring my garden designs to reality. And I am constantly learning…I am registered as a Friend of the Society of Garden Designers (www.sgd.org.uk) which provides access to a network of local and national professionals and Continual Professional Development in the form of practical courses and speaker conferences to debate the latest industry issues and trends. Muddy Boots is also an accredited installer for Wildflower Turf (www.wildflowerturf.co.uk) and I stay updated on the local environment as a supporter of various local organisations such as the Wildlife Trust (www.bbowt.org.uk) and the Woodland Trust (www.woodlandtrust.org.uk).

I lead private landscape design projects in and around Beaconsfield, South Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and South Oxfordshire.

I have also previously worked as freelance Garden Projects Manager for Greenfingers – a charity that creates magical gardens for children in hospices around the country. The role involved bringing together designers, contractors, hospice teams and funders to create gardens that improve the lives of hospice children, families and carers, enabling them to spend time together in a safe and protective outdoor environment away from the bedside. For more information on this very special charity, visit www.greenfingers.org.uk

I like to develop close working relationships with my clients based on transparency, trust and good humour. Most of my work comes from referrals and I am happy to put existing and potential clients in touch with each other to understand how I work.