Gardener vs Landscaper vs Garden Designer: Who Do You Actually Need?
Making sense of who to hire for your garden project
Standing in your garden, knowing it needs help but unsure who to call? You're not alone. Every week across South East London, we meet homeowners confused about whether they need a gardener, landscaper, or garden designer. Some hire a landscaper for simple maintenance (expensive mistake), others call a gardener for complete redesigns (frustrating for everyone). Let's clear up the confusion once and for all.
The Quick Answer Guide
Need a Gardener if:
Your garden needs regular maintenance
You want seasonal tidy-ups
Plants need pruning, feeding, or care
Lawn needs mowing and edges need defining
You have weeds taking over
Small improvements like planting or mulching
Need a Landscaper if:
You want a patio, deck, or driveway
Walls, fences, or structures need building
Major earth moving or leveling required
Installing irrigation or lighting systems
Building raised beds or retaining walls
Complete garden construction from plans
Need a Garden Designer if:
Starting from scratch with no idea
Want professional planting plans
Need creative solutions for difficult spaces
Seeking cohesive design across whole garden
Planning major investment in garden
Want detailed drawings and specifications
Deep Dive: What Each Professional Actually Does
GARDENERS: The Maintenance Experts
What We Do: Gardeners are the hands on professionals who keep gardens healthy and beautiful. We're plant experts who understand growth cycles, soil health, and the ongoing care gardens need to thrive.
Core Services:
Lawn mowing and edging
Hedge trimming and shaping
Weeding and border maintenance
Pruning shrubs and roses
Planting (flowers, bulbs, small shrubs)
Mulching and feeding
Pest and disease management
Seasonal clean-ups
Basic garden improvements
Typical Visit: A gardener arrives with hand tools, mower, and plant knowledge. We work through your garden systematically - mowing, edging, weeding, deadheading, and pruning as needed. We spot problems early, know which plants need attention when, and keep everything looking its best.
Cost Structure:
Hourly rate: £30-50 per hour in London.
Regular maintenance: £100-200 per monthly visit
One-off tidy: £150-400 depending on size
Sometimes includes green waste removal
You DON'T Need a Gardener For:
Building structures
Major design changes
Installing patios
Creating detailed planting plans
Large tree work (need tree surgeon)
LANDSCAPERS: The Construction Specialists
What They Do: Landscapers are the builders of the garden world. They transform designs into reality, handling construction, installation, and the heavy work of creating garden infrastructure.
Core Services:
Patio and deck construction
Fence and wall building
Drainage solutions
Driveway installation
Turfing large areas
Tree and large shrub planting
Irrigation system installation
Garden lighting
Pond construction
Major earthworks
Typical Project: Landscapers arrive with diggers, cement mixers, and construction materials. They might spend days or weeks transforming your space, creating the bones of your garden. They follow plans (their own or a designer's) to build permanent features.
Cost Structure:
Daily rate: £150-300 per person
Projects: £2,000-50,000+
Usually quoted per project, not hourly
Materials often additional
You DON'T Need a Landscaper For:
Regular maintenance
Pruning and plant care
Weekly lawn mowing
Seasonal tidying
Small planting projects
GARDEN DESIGNERS: The Creative Visionaries
What They Do: Garden designers are the architects of outdoor spaces. They create cohesive plans that solve problems, maximise potential, and create beautiful, functional gardens tailored to your lifestyle.
Core Services:
Concept design and mood boards
Detailed planting plans
Technical drawings for landscapers
3D visualizations
Material and plant specifications
Project management
Budget planning
Planning permission assistance
Typical Process: Designers visit to measure, photograph, and discuss your needs. They go away to create designs, returning with professional plans. They might manage the project but rarely do physical work themselves.
Cost Structure:
Consultation: £50-150 per hour
Design only: £500-3,000 for average garden
Design and project management: 10-15% of build cost
Planting plans only: £300-2,000
You DON'T Need a Designer For:
Basic maintenance
Simple planting additions
Routine garden care
Minor improvements
If you know what you want
The Overlaps and Grey Areas
Gardener-Landscapers
Some gardeners (like us) offer light landscaping:
Turfing small areas
Building raised beds
Installing water features
Creating borders
Basic fence repairs
Design-and-Build Landscapers
Many landscaping companies offer design services:
Create their own plans
Build what they design
One-stop solution
May lack plant knowledge
Maintenance Companies
Larger firms offering everything:
Regular maintenance crews
Design department
Construction teams
Often more expensive
Common Mistakes People Make
Mistake 1: Hiring a Landscaper for Maintenance
"We see this constantly. Someone pays £300/day for a landscaper to mow lawns and do weeding. That's like hiring an architect to paint your walls."
Mistake 2: Expecting Gardeners to Redesign Everything
"Asking your gardener to reimagine your entire garden is like asking your cleaner to redecorate. We can suggest improvements, but complete design needs different skills."
Mistake 3: Not Hiring Anyone
"The biggest mistake? Struggling alone. Your time has value. The money saved DIY-ing often costs more in tools, mistakes, and weekends lost."
Mistake 4: Hiring in Wrong Order
Right order: Designer → Landscaper → Gardener Wrong order: Landscaper (no plan) → Problems → Designer (to fix) → More landscaping
Who to Hire: Specific Scenarios
"My garden is a jungle after winter"
You need: A gardener Service: One-off clearance then regular maintenance Budget: £200-500 for clearance, £100-150 monthly after
"I want a patio for entertaining"
You need: A landscaper (possibly designer first) Service: Patio installation Budget: £2,000-5,000 depending on size
"My lawn is more moss than grass"
You need: A gardener with lawn expertise Service: Lawn renovation program Budget: £300-800 depending on size
"Just moved house, garden needs complete redo"
You need: Designer → Landscaper → Gardener Service: Full design, build, and maintenance Budget: £5,000-20,000+ depending on ambition
"Want to attract more wildlife"
You need: Wildlife-specialist gardener or ecological designer Service: Wildlife garden creation Budget: £500-2,000
"Need year round color but don't know plants"
You need: Gardener or planting designer Service: Planting plan and installation Budget: £300-1,000
Cost Comparison: Real Examples
Small London Garden (50m²)
Basic Maintenance:
Gardener: £100-150/month
Total annual: £1,200-1,800
Complete Makeover:
Designer: £800-1,500
Landscaper: £3,000-8,000
Gardener after: £100/month
Total first year: £5,000-11,000
Medium Garden (150m²)
Basic Maintenance:
Gardener: £150-250/month
Total annual: £1,800-3,000
Complete Makeover:
Designer: £1,500-2,500
Landscaper: £8,000-15,000
Gardener after: £150/month
Total first year: £11,000-20,000
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
For Any Professional:
Can I see examples of your work?
What's included in your quote?
What's your availability?
Specific to Gardeners:
Do you remove green waste?
What's your approach to chemicals?
Can you maintain my specific plants?
Do you offer regular schedules?
Specific to Landscapers:
Do you handle planning permission?
What guarantees do you offer?
Who does the actual work?
What about weather delays?
Specific to Designers:
What's your design process?
How many revisions included?
Do you project manage?
Can you work with my budget?
The Hybrid Approach (What We Offer)
As Urban Bloom Gardening, we've evolved to fill the gaps:
We ARE Gardeners Who Also:
Design planting schemes
Create wildlife gardens
Install small features
Build raised beds
Renovate lawns
Plan improvements
We DON'T:
Build patios or walls
Install major drainage
Create technical drawings
Move tons of earth
We WORK WITH:
Trusted landscapers for construction
Local designers for complex projects
Tree surgeons for big tree work
This approach means one point of contact for most garden needs, bringing in specialists only when necessary.
How to Find the Right Professional
For Gardeners:
Google "gardener near me" or “gardener” + your area
Check local Facebook groups
Ask neighbours with nice gardens
Look for regular van sightings
Check online booking platforms
For Landscapers:
Search "landscaping company" + your area
Check trade associations (APL, BALI)
Get multiple quotes
Visit current projects if possible
Check recent reviews
For Designers:
Search "garden designer" + your area
Check Society of Garden Designers
Review portfolios carefully
Ensure style matches yours
Meet before committing
Red Flags to Avoid
Universal Warning Signs:
Cash only, no receipts
No fixed address
Pressure to decide immediately
Unbelievably cheap quotes
Gardener Red Flags:
Suggests removing everything
One-size-fits-all approach
No organic options
Landscaper Red Flags:
No written contract
Subcontracting everything
Starting multiple jobs simultaneously
No examples of finished work
Designer Red Flags:
No professional qualifications
Won't work to budget
Style doesn't vary between projects
No technical knowledge
Making Your Decision
Start Small
If unsure, start with a gardener for maintenance. We can advise whether you need design or landscaping input as we get to know your garden.
Get Multiple Quotes
Gardeners: Get 2-3 quotes
Landscapers: Get 3-4 quotes
Designers: Interview 2-3
Trust Your Instincts
The cheapest isn't always worst, most expensive isn't always best. Choose someone who:
Listens to your needs
Communicates clearly
Shows enthusiasm for your project
Provides clear pricing
Makes you feel confident
The Bottom Line
Choose a GARDENER when: You need regular maintenance, plant care, or minor improvements. We're your ongoing partners in keeping gardens beautiful.
Choose a LANDSCAPER when: You need construction, installation, or major physical changes. They create the infrastructure.
Choose a DESIGNER when: You need creative vision, problem-solving, or cohesive planning. They provide the blueprint.
Often, you need all three - just in the right order and for the right jobs.
Still unsure who you need? We offer free consultations to assess your garden and advise whether you need a gardener (us!), landscaper (we know great ones), or designer (we do this, too!). No obligation, just honest advice. Call us to discuss your needs.
Serving all South East London including Dulwich, Peckham, Greenwich, Bromley, Forest Hill, Beckenham, Streatham, and surrounding areas with professional gardening services.
