SUSTAINABLE GARDENS AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN
– We love designing gardens that are rooted to place; we draw inspiration from the local landscape and plant ecology. Creating sustainable landscapes with longevity is key to our designs. Our garden and landscape design studio is based near Marlow in Buckinghamshire, however we work on projects across the UK –
AWARD-WINNING GARDEN DESIGN BY TABITHA RIGDEN
Every garden we design is bespoke, we work with you from beginning to end to create a garden that fits your needs and aspirations. From planting designs for a single border, to a full re-design of your entire plot, we can offer a package to suit you. We work on both domestic and commercial projects, from urban courtyard gardens to large rural landscapes.
FEATURED GARDEN DESIGNS
Large family garden, Maidenhead, Berkshire
Pub dining garden, Shiplake, Oxfordshire
Courtyard garden, Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Tabitha’s enthusiasm, knowledge and attention to detail made the whole process enjoyable from start to finish. We’re thrilled with the result.
-T. Osen, Godalming, Surrey
2023
WHY HIRE A GARDEN DESIGNER?
So, why hire a garden designer for your project? Why hire an architect to design your home, or extension? It’s a similar thing. Like an architect, a garden designer will bring their expertise and knowledge to ensure that you do this just once, and that you enjoy the results for years to come.
There are so many elements to take into account when designing a garden – the configuration of space, an understanding of how each part should be built, good planting knowledge and an awareness of how to deal with excess water. There are also the details that make a garden bespoke to you, whether a seat or a sculpture or a particular palette of colours, and an understanding of how to use minimal lighting to maximum effect. It’s all these factors that make a design work.
Gardens will naturally evolve over time – plants are by and large living entities after all – however it’s important that they are future-proofed to an extent. Understanding how materials will age is key, and gauging when this might be problematic (and also when it isn’t). The plan should recommend plants that thrive in the existing soil conditions and aspect, as well as the changing climate – a very real consideration when designing for the medium to long term.
In short, bringing in a garden designer for your outdoor project is an investment in your home and in your lifestyle. A well designed garden has many beneficial effects on health and wellbeing, as well as helping to combat the climate crisis by creating biodiversity, habitat for wildlife and storing carbon. A garden design professional will help you avoid the various pitfalls that can bring additional cost and hassle; they will work alongside the landscaping team to ensure the garden is built and planted to a high standard.
We were impressed with Tabitha’s attention to detail, her creativity and depth of knowledge, the quality of the designs and supporting documents. She really listened to what we wanted to achieve and adapted the design to ensure the project respected our budget, finding clever ways to use high quality materials.
– T. O’Flynn, Maidenhead, Berkshire
STUDIO NEWS
HOUSE & GARDEN RISING STAR 2025
Tabitha was honoured to be named Rising Star 2025 at House & Garden’s design awards at Christie’s, London, in April - what a moment. She was one of 10 design talents who claimed this year’s awards across 10 categories that spanned Interior design and Garden design. The beautiful David Harber trophy, crafted from a bronze ribbon offcut used in their iconic sundials, now sits proudly in the studio.
A huge thank you to the category sponsors Emma and Hector Finch of Hector Finch Lighting for presenting the award, and to Richard E. Grant for the unforgettable on-stage welcome! We’re deeply grateful to the amazing team at House & Garden for their support and acknowledgment. It was an honour to stand alongside horticultural greats like Sarah Price and Nigel Dunnett, and the gifted individuals from the world of interior design.
Tabitha, photographed by the esteemed portrait photographer Sophia Spring, features in the July 2025 issue of House & Garden magazine.
TABITHA GAINS HER MSGLD STATUS
Tabitha Rigden has passed the third and final stage of the professional accreditation process and is now a Registered Member of the Society of Garden and Landscape Designers (MSGLD).
It’s a rigorous process, and rightly so - garden design remains largely unregulated, so the role of professional bodies like this is more important than ever. Becoming a Registered Member reflects a commitment to high standards, ethical principles, and environmentally responsible design, all of which feel especially vital today.
Having your work recognised by respected leaders in the field is a hugely rewarding milestone.
THE KING’S TRUST GARDEN AT CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW 2025
I was thrilled to be invited to join Joe Perkins and his team at Chelsea 2025, helping plant his gold-medal-winning garden for The King’s Trust. ‘Seeding Success’ was a Main Avenue showstopper - full of meaning, with planting that symbolised resilience and hope. Think self-seeding pioneers and succession species thriving in tough conditions, plus a towering Black Pine (the tallest at Chelsea this year!), an adaptable species that can bounce back after fire. A beautiful metaphor for the young people The Trust supports.
Sustainability was a big focus too - no concrete or cement, just permeable, low-impact surfaces using reclaimed materials. The garden is now being relocated to Uxbridge College, where it will be maintained by students enrolled on The King’s Trust programme.
HESTIA GARDEN AT THE PLOUGH SHIPLAKE A WINNER AT THE SGD AWARDS 2025
Tabitha was thrilled to accept the award for New Designer 2025 at the annual ceremony at London's Landmark Hotel in February 2025 - and to discover that Hestia Garden is the first ever pub garden to win a coveted SGD Award!
The garden was also selected as a finalist in the 'Public Realm Landscapes & Gardens' category for 2025, standing alongside some of the most prominent names in the industry – a major milestone for the studio.
'TRANQUIL COURTYARD GARDEN' SHORTLISTED FOR PROLANDSCAPER AWARD 2024
Our Marlow courtyard garden made it onto the Prolandscaper Projects Award shortlist 2024, in the category for projects costing under £50,000 to build.
This little jewel of a garden is a good example of what can be achieved in a small space, for both biodiversity and aesthetics - and why lawns aren’t for everyone!
STUDIO TRIP TO BELGIUM TO STUDY THE ULTIMATE CLAY BRICK
Autumn 2024 provided a long-awaited trip to the Vande Moortel factory in Oudenaarde, Belgium – and it did not disappoint! We regularly specify these versatile clay bricks, using them in different ways to either create a pared down modernist vibe or for adding patina and charm to heritage-inspired spaces. There are so many ways to play with pattern and detail. The factory tour was fascinating: we got a behind-the-scenes look and were shown some of the latest additional to the product range . Let’s just say, we left seriously inspired!
We were also invited to join in the birthday celebrations for this fantastic family firm, now 160 years old - and they certainly know how to throw a party!
Tabitha guided us through the detailed development process including surveying and tender specification. The result was a beautiful space, delivered on budget.
– J. and V. Howe, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire
TESTIMONIALS
S. Charles
Wokingham, Berkshire
Working with Tabitha on the landscape design for my new build project in Frieth was great. She understood the design approach really well and created a landscape scheme that complimented the architecture perfectly and married the internal and external spaces beautifully.
B. Gombert
Architect
Connected Architecture, Berkshire
Tabitha was a valuable resource when we didn’t have the perspective to think outside of the box. She helped us gain a clear vision of what might be possible, helping us create a 10 year plan and to understand how we might be able to plant for our ever warming summers. We are grateful to her for her dedication to our project.
C. Black
Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire