Planting and Soft Landscaping in Richmond | Planting & Soft Landscaping Specialists
Richmond Professional Landscaping looks after the whole garden, from patios, driveways and fencing to lawns, lighting and the planting and soft landscaping that bring it all to life. Projects run across Richmond upon Thames, covering commercial frontages and office grounds as well as private gardens of every size.
Good soft landscaping starts with the soil, which across much of the borough is heavy London clay or free-draining Thames gravel. We plan borders around those conditions, pairing perennials, ornamental grasses and evergreen shrubs with the aspect of each bed. Hedging for privacy, specimen trees and pollinator planting all follow the same thinking, so each plant goes where it will establish quickly.
That work draws on RHS Level 3 horticultural training and 29 years of landscaping across more than 930 projects. Richmond Professional Landscaping is BALI and APL accredited and TrustMark registered, holds 2 BALI National Landscape Awards and keeps client satisfaction at 97%. Each scheme also comes with clear aftercare notes for the first growing season.
Planting and Soft Landscaping Services in Richmond
Garden Planting Scheme Installation
A planting plan only works once it is laid out correctly on the ground. During planting scheme installation, we set out every plant in its pots first and check spacing against the drawing.
Grouping in drifts of 3, 5 or 7 gives borders a natural rhythm rather than a dotted look. Taller plants go towards the back, with low edging plants softening the path.
Planting Bed Preparation and Soil Improvement
Heavy clay sets hard in summer and waterlogs in winter, so roots struggle without some work below ground. Bed preparation and soil improvement start with digging out perennial weeds and old roots.
Well-rotted organic matter is then forked in to open up the clay and feed it. Our crew finishes each bed with 5 to 7 cm of bark or compost mulch to hold in moisture.
Garden Border and Perennial Planting
Borders look their best when something is flowering from spring through to the first frosts. For border and perennial planting, we layer early bulbs, summer perennials and late grasses so interest carries through the year.
Evergreen shrubs such as pittosporum and box-leaf holly give structure once the perennials die back in winter. Plant choices also reflect how much time goes into upkeep, from low-maintenance mixes to fuller cottage borders.
Tree and Shrub Planting
A tree planted too deep slowly suffocates, so the root flare must sit just above soil level. Our tree and shrub planting follows that rule, with pits dug wider than the rootball but no deeper.
Larger specimens get a stake and tie or an underground anchor to stop wind rock. A watering ring around the base keeps moisture at the roots through the first summer.
Hedge and Screening Planting
Privacy along a boundary depends on a hedge that reaches the right height at a sensible pace. Hedge and screening planting with laurel, yew, beech or hornbeam gives quite different results.
We plant along a prepared trench rather than in single holes, so roots spread evenly along the whole line. Instant hedging in troughs gives a finished screen on day one where speed matters.
Wildlife-Friendly and Pollinator Planting
Bees and butterflies favour open, single flowers over tight doubles, along with a long flowering season. Wildlife and pollinator planting builds on that with lavender, salvias, echinacea and native hawthorn.
A log pile or strip of longer grass gives insects winter shelter, and Richmond Professional Landscaping builds one into the design wherever there is room. Even small courtyard borders draw in pollinators once planted well.
Why Choose Us for Your Planting and Soft Landscaping Needs in Richmond?
Plants matched to the site: Soil, sun and drainage are checked bed by bed, so each plant goes where it will grow strongly.
Soil work done properly: Clay is opened up with organic matter and weeds are cleared by the root, giving new planting a clean start.
Care around what exists: Mature trees, established shrubs and hard landscaping are protected while new beds go in around them.
Straight advice: Spacing, growth rates and seasonal care are explained plainly, so you know how the borders will look in 3 years.
Planting and Soft Landscaping Process in Richmond
Step 1: Site Assessment and Soil Inspection
Richmond Professional Landscaping walks the garden to test soil texture, check drainage and note how sun moves across each bed. Our notes also record existing plants worth keeping.
Step 2: Plant Selection and Layout Planning
We draw up a planting plan with species, sizes and spacing, matched to the soil and aspect. You receive this alongside an itemised quote before any plants are ordered.
Step 3: Ground Preparation and Soil Improvement
We clear weeds and roots, then dig in organic matter to improve the soil structure. Our crew levels each bed so water drains evenly.
Step 4: Planting and Mulching
We set plants out in position, plant them at the correct depth and water each one in thoroughly. A layer of mulch goes down afterwards to lock in moisture and suppress weeds.
Step 5: Final Inspection and Establishment Guidance
We check every plant, firm any loose roots and tidy the site before leaving. Our watering and aftercare guide covers the first growing season, when new planting needs the most attention. Beyond that, borders stay weeded, pruned and mulched through our garden maintenance visits.
How Much Does Planting and Soft Landscaping Cost in Richmond upon Thames?
Planting and borders typically cost around £70 per m² supplied and planted, with London rates running about 25% higher than the national baseline. A 10 m² border in Richmond would therefore come to roughly £875 before any soil improvement.
Planting Work | Typical Cost | What the Price Covers |
|---|---|---|
Border planting, supplied and planted | About £70 per m², or roughly £88 per m² in London | Supply and planting of mixed border plants at 5 to 9 plants per m². |
New hedge from young plants | £20 to £60 per metre | Young laurel, beech or hornbeam plants at 60 to 100 cm, with planting labour charged on top. |
Tree planting | £30 to £100 for a young tree, or £500 to £1,000+ semi-mature | The tree itself, with planting labour at £25 to £50 per hour on top. |
Larger specimens cost more to buy and to plant, since root-balled trees and instant hedging need wider pits and extra hands. Richmond Professional Landscaping lists plants, soil improvers and labour separately in the written quote, so each part of the cost is clear.
Fill Your Borders with Planting That Thrives Season After Season
Frequently Asked Questions About Planting and Soft Landscaping in Richmond
Does Richmond Professional Landscaping supply the plants as well as planting them?
Yes. Plants are sourced to match the planting plan and checked for healthy roots on arrival. Standard 2 to 5 litre shrubs typically cost £10 to £25 each, and the quote lists plants separately from labour.
Which plants cope best with Richmond's clay soil?
Roses, hydrangeas, viburnum, hardy geraniums and asters all grow well in heavy clay once it has been improved with organic matter. Beds like these typically cost around £70 per m² supplied and planted, before the London uplift.
When is the best time of year to plant?
Autumn and early spring suit most planting, as the soil is moist and warm enough for roots to establish. Bare-root hedging and trees go in from November to March, often at around half the price of potted stock.
How much does a new hedge cost in Richmond?
Young laurel, beech or hornbeam plants at 60 to 100 cm typically cost £20 to £60 per metre before labour. Mature instant hedging costs several times more, though it gives a full screen from the day it goes in.
How is garden soil prepared for planting?
We clear perennial weeds by the root, break up compacted ground and fork in well-rotted organic matter. On heavy clay this step makes the biggest difference to how quickly plants establish, and a 5 to 7 cm mulch finishes the bed.
Which plants work best for privacy or wildlife?
Yew and laurel make dense evergreen screens, while beech and hornbeam hold their brown leaves through winter when clipped as hedges. For wildlife, native hawthorn, lavender and salvias feed pollinators over a long season.
How long does new planting take to establish?
Most perennials and shrubs settle in within one full growing season, while trees and hedges take 2 to 3 years to root properly. Regular watering through the first summer matters most, especially on free-draining gravel soils. With a 10 m² border costing around £875 in Richmond, that early care protects the investment.
Why We Are a Trusted Landscaping Company in Richmond upon Thames & Surrounding Areas
- 29 years of experience in residential and commercial landscaping.
- Over 930 landscaping projects completed across Richmond and surrounding areas.
- 97% customer satisfaction rating.
- BALI and APL accredited, TrustMark registered, with an RHS Level 3 horticultural qualification.
- Winner of 2 BALI National Landscape Awards.
- Specialists in garden design, patios, driveways, fencing, decking, turfing and planting.
- Site assessments, measured surveys and bespoke garden design plans.
- Written workmanship terms, clear pricing and practical aftercare guidance.