Frequently asked questions
At Flourish Landscaping, we take pride in partnering with trusted suppliers who share our commitment to quality, innovation, and exceptional service.
Got a question? You’re in the right place. We’ve pulled together answers to the things our clients most often ask about garden design, landscaping and maintenance across Kingston, Richmond, Surbiton and wider Surrey.
Take a look through the sections below or follow the links to explore our services and real-life projects.
Want to talk ideas? Contact us here.
Yes, Flourish Landscaping offers a fully managed garden design and build service across Kingston, Richmond, Esher, Surbiton, Teddington, and nearby Surrey locations.
Our experienced team guides you through every stage, from initial concept sketches and design consultations to planting, construction, and finishing details.
Whether you are starting with a blank canvas or redesigning an existing space, we will help you bring your vision to life.
Absolutely. We can create detailed 2D plans and 3D visualisations showing how your new garden will look before any work begins.
This includes layout drawings, planting plans, and optional rendered views that help you understand the space, flow, and overall look of the design.
You can view examples of our work in our portfolio.
Yes, we have extensive experience designing and landscaping gardens in conservation areas and for listed properties across Surrey and South West London.
We ensure all materials, structures, and planting are sympathetic to the heritage setting and comply with planning regulations.
We can also liaise with local planning authorities where required.
Yes, we specialise in creating low-maintenance gardens that retain colour, structure, and interest throughout the year.
We use hardy, easy-care plants, practical surfaces such as porcelain paving or gravel, and features like automated irrigation to reduce upkeep.
A full landscaping project typically includes groundworks, drainage, foundations, paving, walls, steps, decking, structures, planting and turfing.
At Flourish, we manage the whole process from site preparation through to the final planting.
You can see examples in our portfolio.
Hard landscaping covers built elements like paving, walls, steps, decking, and pergolas.
Soft landscaping covers soil, planting, turf, trees, and borders.
The sub-base is critical and prevents sinking, rocking, and cracking.
We use correctly compacted MOT Type 1 to appropriate depths.
MOT Type 1 is a crushed aggregate used to form strong, stable sub-bases.
Porcelain is low-porosity, stain-resistant, and low maintenance.
Natural stone has more variation and usually needs more care.
Yes, we design and construct steps, retaining walls, and terracing with proper foundations and drainage.
Yes, we design and build timber and composite decks, pergolas, and garden structures.
Small projects may take 1–2 weeks, full transformations several weeks or more.
Hard landscaping is usually usable straight away. Lawns and planting need establishment time.
Good drainage prevents waterlogging, plant loss, and structural failure.
Standing water, muddy areas, moss lawns, and struggling plants are common signs.
A gravel trench with perforated pipe that redirects excess water.
An underground structure that disperses collected surface water into the soil.
Yes, most systems are buried and invisible once installed.
Shaping levels and surfaces so water flows away from buildings and seating areas.
It allows water to pass through into the ground, reducing runoff.
Yes, often without a full rebuild.
Yes, better drainage improves root health and reduces moss and disease.
Not always, but they are extremely helpful during dry periods and establishment.
Drip goes to roots, sprinklers cover lawns and larger areas.
Yes, pipework is buried and sprinklers are pop-up.
Yes, using timers, rain sensors, or smart controls.
No, well designed systems usually use less water than manual hoses.
No, it can be scaled to small gardens too.
Usually the first growing season.
Yes, often to rainwater butts or underground tanks.
Yes, we demonstrate everything at handover.
Lighting extends usability, improves safety, and transforms atmosphere.
It is both.
Spike lights, uplights, recessed lights, and downlights.
Yes, most modern systems are low-voltage and safer.
Yes, different areas can be controlled independently.
Yes, using timers or smart controls.
No, LEDs are very efficient.
Yes, often with minimal disruption.
Yes, for larger projects we provide a lighting layout plan.
Yes, we design and build fully insulated garden rooms.
Yes, including lighting and optional heating or cooling.
Often not required, but we advise and manage where needed.
Yes, including BBQs, pizza ovens, sinks, and storage.
Yes, in timber, aluminium, or composite.
Yes, in wood-burning or gas systems.
Yes, including garden lighting schemes.
Yes, bespoke seating and storage is common.
Yes, many designs focus on social spaces.
Yes, including heaters and integrated lighting.
Yes, to create a seamless visual flow.
Yes, balancing beauty with sustainability.
Yes, including drought-tolerant gardens.
Yes, wherever possible.
Yes, using French drains, soakaways, and permeable surfaces.
Yes, using drip systems and smart controls.
Yes, including pollinator planting and habitat features.
Yes, including low-maintenance gardens.
Yes, where practical.
Yes, including meadow lawns or clover mixes.
Yes, through smart material choices and planting.
Porcelain, sandstone, limestone, and setts.
Porcelain is low maintenance, natural stone is more variable.
Excavation, MOT Type 1, full mortar bed, correct joints.
Yes, where required.
Yes, in brick, stone, timber, or blockwork.
Yes, timber or composite.
Stone copings, bullnosed steps, brick edging, metal restraints.
Correct falls, sub-bases, and drainage integration.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes, tailored to your site and preferences.
Yes, including specimen trees and pleached screens.
Both, depending on needs.
Yes, including scarifying, aeration, and overseeding.
With compost, soil improvers, and correct cultivation.
Yes, drip lines and sprinklers.
Yes, plus ongoing maintenance services if required.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes, where natural turf is not practical.
Yes.
Low-voltage LED systems.
Yes.
Yes, certified by qualified electricians.
Yes.
No, modern systems are efficient.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes, with clear guidance.
Usually 12 to 24 months.
Watering and careful mowing.
Deep, regular watering during the first season.
Yes, for larger or complex gardens.
We provide cleaning and care advice.
Yes.
Yes.
Consultation, design, then construction.
Yes.
Often £20,000 to £80,000+ depending on scope.
Yes.
Often several months.
Yes.
Yes.
We guarantee workmanship and pass on product warranties.
Kingston, Surbiton, Surrey, and South West London.
Get in touch to start.
Looking for expert landscaping services?
Join our happy customers and let us transform your outdoor space.
Request a consultation to discuss your project today!