RESILIENT NATURAL GARDENS

A small tree with a textured trunk and sparse green leaves, standing in a white circular planter. Four terracotta pots with various green plants are in the foreground, and a house with a red-tiled roof is partially visible behind a white wall.

I create gardens in and around Ericeira that feel alive, welcome wildlife and thrive in our local climate. Using drought-tolerant and native plants supports our local ecosystem, saves water, and creates gardens that feel like they belong. I love to work with natural rock, gravel, and wood to create habitats for humans and wildlife, and natural harmnonious spaces.

Arrangement of green plants and tall, feathery ornamental grasses in a white rectangular planter.
Purple flowers with shadows cast on a light pink wall and a wooden fence, sunlight illuminating the scene.

Process

Sunlit ornamental grass with feathery plumes in a garden, against a fence and green foliage.

  • Every project begins with a short, informal visit to your garden. This gives us a chance to walk the space together, talk through your ideas, and confirm what level of design support would suit you best.

    After the visit, I’ll recommend the most appropriate next steps and outline what working together would look like before any paid work begins.

  • If your garden layout works well but the planting needs an update, I offer a planting design and installation service.

    If your garden needs more than planting — such as new paths, terraces, decks, or defined zones — I provide a concept and more detailed design that looks at the garden as a whole.

  • I source plants from nurseries that grow them in natural conditions without overusing fertilizer. This creates resilient plants with strong root systems that are ready for the conditions of the real world and will thrive and last.

    I personally set out and plant the garden, adjust spacing and composition on site, and supervise any additional help as needed to ensure the design is realised properly.

  • For projects involving multiple trades, I can manage the process from start to finish — including soil preparation, irrigation, and hard landscaping. I have developed relationships with trusted contractors.

    Project management includes a set number of site visits and coordination hours, with additional time available if required.

ABOUT ME

Before I lived in Portugal, I worked for a gardener and designer in London whose naturalistic, wildlife-focused approach had a lasting influence on my work. Nearly ten years ago, I moved to Ericeira, where I’ve been developing my own garden ever since and deepening my understanding of gardening in this climate. I draw constant inspiration from native Portuguese plants and wildflowers, and garden as sustainably as possible. I now create gardens for others that feel rooted in place and support the local ecosystem.

I grew up in the English countryside, surrounded by nature. After beginning a career in editorial in the city, I quickly realised it wasn’t the right fit—too much time at a desk, not enough in the world outside.

I retrained in landscape design and completed an internship in landscape architecture, falling in love with the design process while still longing for more hands-on, outdoor work. Around this time, I worked on an organic farm in northern Portugal, which planted the seed for the path I’m on today.

A woman with a pink cap and gray t-shirt kneeling next to a garden planting area, waving at the camera, with small potted plants, gardening tools, and a large tree nearby.