Claire is the daughter of the owners and has made her own contribution to Old Buckhurst.  

She trained at Hadlow Horticultural College, Kent for 3 years including almost a year’s placement at Perryhill Nurseries, Hartfield, Kent.  The plant knowledge learnt there was invaluable.    After leaving College with a Distinction, she worked for Arabella Lennox Boyd, before setting up her own gardening business, Gladstone Gardens in 1997.  

She is happy to redesign a garden from scratch or enhance what is already there!  

So many times a garden has the paths and seating areas already in situ which are in good order.  However, the planting may have got out of control, never seems to have much colour or is not to the owners’ taste.  Claire’s expertise lies in redesigning the planting areas to give fresh ideas suitable for all types of gardens including the following:

• awkward shady London gardens
• tiny courtyards
• large country gardens
• flower borders that never seem to have much colour
• pots and hanging baskets can be made up for a client
• bulbs can be ordered and planted

All her work has come from personal recommendations by satisfied clients.  As she lives in Clapham much of her work has been in south west London area stretching out to larger gardens in the Wimbledon area.   See examples of her work.
 
She sources and selects all the trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants and bulbs.  By being in control of the buying and planting side of the business she ensures continuity and a high standard of work throughout.  This might be why so many clients have stayed with her through the years and have recommended her to their friends.

She has been of invaluable help behind the scene at Old Buckhurst, introducing modern plants which her mother has never heard of!

To contact Claire, please telephone 020 8673 6232 and leave a voice message.