The garden you will have in five years, on paper from today
That is why the design starts from your own space: what the soil is like, where the midday sun falls, where the wind comes from, how much water there really is. On that basis we design the garden layout, the planting and the irrigation, so that construction starts with answers.
The design is done by Georgios Maravas, agricultural technologist, with thirty years in Messinian gardens. The plan you receive is yours to keep, and shows the garden as it will be when the plants reach their full size, not just on handover day.
What the design includes
Site visit and survey
We measure the space and record level differences, existing trees, buildings, and water and power supplies.
Soil, sun and water analysis
What the soil holds, where there is shade and where the heat bakes, what the water supply and pressure are.
Layout plan
Paths, flower beds, seating areas, low walls, levels, positions for a pergola or pool. Every hard feature in place before the first plant goes in.
Planting plan
Species, varieties, spacing and mature sizes, chosen for the Messinian climate and for how much time you want to spend on the garden.
Irrigation plan
Zones, drippers and sprinklers laid out on the planting plan, so that automatic irrigation is designed together with the garden, not afterwards.
Construction phases
What comes first and what can wait, if the garden is to be built in stages.
A garden without a lawn: the Mediterranean garden
A lawn is the thirstiest plant in the garden. In Messinia, with four months without rain, a garden without a lawn is often the most beautiful and the most relaxing garden you can have. We design low-water Mediterranean gardens with:
Beds of drought-tolerant plants
lavender, rosemary, thyme, helichrysum, oleander, wild olive, palms and agaves, to suit the style of the house.
Ground cover
with creeping plants that keep the soil cool and hold back weeds, where a lawn would have gone.
Gravel, pebbles and paving slabs
for paths and seating areas, with weed membrane underneath so they stay clean.
Olive and citrus trees
as shade trees that suit the landscape and live on little water.
The result is a garden that stays green in August, is watered drip by drip and needs cutting back once a year instead of mowing every week. And if you would like a patch of lawn for the children or the seating area, we design it where you will really enjoy it, with its own irrigation.
Every space has its own design
Courtyard design for a home
A space that works as another room of the house: seating, shade, some greenery and easy upkeep.
Garden for a holiday home or villa
Plants that cope with the weeks you are away, irrigation that runs by itself, and views that stay open.
Sloping plot
Terraces, retaining walls and planting that keep the soil in place when the first rain comes.
Small garden or town courtyard
A few well-chosen plants and materials that give depth to a small space.
Hotel or business garden
Impressive at the entrance, economical to maintain, with spaces that look good in photos.
Public space
Parks, squares and municipal green spaces with plants and materials that stand up to heavy use and keep maintenance costs down.
How we work
Phone
You tell us where the property is and what you have in mind. Ten minutes.
Site visit
We see the soil, the sun and the water for ourselves and talk it through on site.
Design
Layout, planting and irrigation plan, made to measure for your space.
Quotation
A detailed breakdown of what each stage includes, before any work begins.
Construction
With our own crews and our own machinery. See garden construction.
Maintenance
We stay on and look after it, as often as it needs.
Frequently asked questions about garden design
Is a design worth it for a small garden?
Yes, and that is where it pays off most. In a small space every mistake shows: a tree that grew bigger than you expected, a bed that gets no sun. A design for a small space is quick and saves you from replacing things later.
I already have a garden. Can it change without starting from scratch?
That is how most of our designs come about. We keep whatever works, usually the large trees and the hard features, and redesign around them. Cost and time come down, and the garden looks mature from day one.
Do I keep the plan?
Yes. The plan is yours, with the planting plan and the irrigation plan. You can use it for construction, for maintenance, or to carry it out in phases whenever you decide.
Can the garden be built in stages?
Yes, and the design allows for it. We set out what has to come first, such as earthworks, services and trees, and what can be added later without undoing what has already been done.
When is the best time to start?
Design work goes on all year round. Planting does best from autumn to spring, when the soil is moist and plants have time to root before summer. If we start the design in summer, construction is ready to go in the right season.
One phone call and we are on our way
You tell us where the property is and what you have in mind. Ten minutes is enough for us to understand what is needed and arrange a visit.