Business Details
12 Years
experience
Your Trusted Garden Design Partner in Aberdeen
Heather Dale Garden Design was founded on a lifelong passion for plants and gardens, rooted in decades of hands-on experience and academic expertise. With a PhD in Plant Ecophysiology and formal training in garden design, Heather combines scientific knowledge with creative vision to craft spaces that balance beauty, functionality, and ecological sustainability. Our team, including landscape architect Joe Wright and surveyor Nicky Cordiner, specialises in transforming gardens across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, and North Scotland. We prioritise biodiversity and wildlife-friendly practices, ensuring every project enhances the natural environment while meeting clients' unique needs.Accredited by the Society of Garden Designers since 2024, we deliver tailored solutions for urban courtyards, rural estates, and everything in between. From initial consultation to planting completion, our process focuses on collaboration, precision, and long-term garden health. Clients consistently highlight our ability to solve complex challenges, such as difficult terrain or shaded spaces, while creating visually stunning, easy-to-maintain gardens. Whether redesigning entire landscapes or offering expert planting advice, we remain committed to leaving every garden more vibrant and ecologically rich than we found it.
Services
Garden Design
Planting Design
Garden Advice
Project Monitoring
Plant Sourcing
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- We have over 10 years' experience in garden design and plant ecology
- Our lead designer holds a PhD in Plant Ecophysiology
- Accredited by the Society of Garden Designers since 2024
- Specialise in transforming challenging sites into functional spaces
- Prioritise biodiversity and sustainable gardening practices
Associations and certifications
- Society of Garden Designers
What people say
Understood my brief
Addressed issues well
Positive impact
Stunning results
Easy garden maintenance
Services
Garden Design
We create bespoke garden designs tailored to individual needs and site conditions. Our process includes site analysis, client consultations, and detailed master plans. Services cover everything from small urban courtyards to large rural estates, ensuring functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces that evolve with seasonal changes.
Planting Design
Specialist planting schemes enhance existing landscapes or create new ones. We assess soil conditions, aspect, and microclimates to select appropriate species. Services include full border redesigns, seasonal planting plans, and wildlife-friendly schemes that support local biodiversity through native plant selection.
Garden Advice
Expert guidance for improving existing gardens through practical changes. We offer solutions for problematic areas, plant selection advice, and maintenance recommendations. Our consultancy helps clients maximise their garden's potential while aligning with ecological principles and personal usage requirements.
Project Monitoring
We ensure design integrity throughout implementation via regular site visits and contractor coordination. This service maintains adherence to plans while allowing flexibility for on-site adjustments. Clients receive ongoing support from concept to completion, guaranteeing the final garden matches the original vision.
Plant Sourcing
Professional plant selection and acquisition from trusted nurseries and wholesale suppliers. We source high-quality specimens suited to specific garden conditions. This service includes logistics coordination and optional client accompaniment to nurseries for hands-on plant selection experiences.
People
Heather Dale
Garden Designer
Founder Heather Dale combines a PhD in Plant Ecophysiology with Society of Garden Designers accreditation. With over 20 years' experience in horticulture and ecological design, she specialises in creating wildlife-friendly gardens that balance aesthetics with biodiversity across North Scotland.
Joe Wright
Designer
Graduate member of the Society of Garden Designers, Joe joined in 2024 after studying landscape architecture at Edinburgh University. His expertise includes landscape rewilding and challenging site transformations, informed by prior landscaping experience and a passion for Scottish hill running.
Nicky Cordiner
Surveyor
Nicky has served as surveyor and Vectorworks technician since 2021, providing technical expertise for precise garden measurements and digital plan creation. Her work ensures accurate translation of design concepts into detailed construction documentation for projects across Aberdeenshire.
Questions
What areas do you cover for garden design projects?
We work across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, and North Scotland, handling gardens of all sizes from compact urban spaces to expansive rural properties.
Do you handle both design and implementation?
We provide comprehensive design services including project monitoring, while implementation is typically managed by trusted contractors or landscapers.
How do you incorporate wildlife into garden designs?
Our designs prioritise native plants, create habitats like ponds or wildflower meadows, and use organic gardening methods to support local biodiversity.
Can you help with challenging garden conditions?
Yes, we specialise in transforming difficult sites including sloped gardens, shaded areas, and previously neglected spaces into functional, beautiful gardens.
What qualifications do your designers hold?
Our lead designer holds a PhD in Plant Ecophysiology and is accredited by the Society of Garden Designers since 2024.
