Garden & Planting Design Studio
A more natural way to live outdoors.
We create atmospheric gardens that draw you outside and grow richer with time.
About the studio
Your garden, shaped by its surroundings.
Esoterra garden design is a studio based in Bristol and working throughout the South West. We design gardens, courtyards and larger landscapes around two things: how you want to live in the space, and the character of the site itself.
That means taking time to understand how you want the garden to work for you. You may need somewhere to eat outside or space for children to play. Perhaps quieter places to retreat to, or planting that brings life to the garden. We then look closely at the site itself, from its soil and light to its views and existing features.
We bring those needs together in a clear, cohesive design. Thoughtful layouts make the garden easier to use, natural materials help it sit comfortably in its surroundings, and generous planting gives it softness, movement and character.
That means taking time to understand how you want the garden to work for you. You may need somewhere to eat outside or space for children to play. Perhaps quieter places to retreat to, or planting that brings life to the garden. We then look closely at the site itself, from its soil and light to its views and existing features.
We bring those needs together in a clear, cohesive design. Thoughtful layouts make the garden easier to use, natural materials help it sit comfortably in its surroundings, and generous planting gives it softness, movement and character.
GETTING STARTED
Let’s walk through the garden together.
You may have a clear vision for the space, a collection of loose ideas or simply the feeling that your garden could work harder for you.
The best place to begin is with a complimentary consultation. We meet at the property, walk through the garden and talk about how you currently use it, what you would like to change and what kind of atmosphere you would like to create.
OUR PROCESS
From first visit to first bloom.
01
Consultation and brief
We visit the garden, discuss what you would like to achieve and recommend the most suitable level of design support.
Garden survey
The site is carefully measured and recorded, giving us the accurate information needed to draw and design the space.
02
03
Moodboards and initial design
We prepare mood-boards to communicate the proposed style, materials and planting character. We then turn this direction into a concept plan for you to review.
Detailed plans
Once the overall garden design is agreed, we produce the practical information needed to bring it to life. This typically includes a master layout plan, along with construction details and material specifications. The planting design then follows, with a detailed planting plan, full plant list and schedule.
04
05
Construction and planting
You can use the plans with your own contractor or ask us to coordinate the build using landscapers we know and trust. We can then source the plants, lay out the scheme and complete the planting.
PLANTING DESIGN
Planting that changes with the seasons.
Our planting designs are layered, characterful and considered throughout the year, with a particular eye for texture, movement and seasonal change.
Rather than relying on a brief burst of summer colour, we consider how the garden will look through every season. Spring growth gives way to Summer abundance, followed by Autumn colour, seed heads and Winter structure.
Plants are selected for the conditions, the character of the garden and the way you want it to feel. Depending on the setting, planting might be loose and naturalistic, more structured and formal, or somewhere between the two.
Over time, plants settle in and mature together, helping the garden feel increasingly established. Where appropriate, we allow room for plants to mingle and self-seed, creating a garden that evolves naturally while also providing food and shelter for birds, bees and other wildlife.
MATERIALS AND LANDSCAPING
Built carefully, designed to soften.
Hard landscaping provides the framework of the garden, but it should never feel separate from the planting.
We consider paving, paths, walls, seating and structures alongside the planting from the very beginning. This helps every part of the garden feel connected and ensures there is a natural flow between the different spaces.
Where appropriate, we use natural and reclaimed materials selected for the way they weather and develop character. As the planting grows around them, the harder edges soften and the garden begins to feel settled, generous and lived in.
TESTIMONIALS
Andy helped us design our planting and transform our garden into a proper outdoor living space with a new terrace. We love the Mediterranean look, so he created planters with sun-happy herbs and plants for the terrace, along with natural planting with a nod to the med in the main borders, chosen to actually work in North Bristol. He paired it all with a new tree and climber to go with the contemporary slatted wooden fencing. We love being out on the terrace on summer evenings, and watching the bees and butterflies pass through during the day.
G
Google
Barney Hodgson
Verified Google review · July 2026
FAQs
Good questions.
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Get in touch
Tell us about your garden.
Whether it's a full redesign or a planting refresh, we'd love to hear about the site and what you're hoping for.