Business Details
24 Years
experience
Your Trusted Landscaping Partner in Hertfordshire
Established in 2002, Gardensdirect has built a reputation as a leading landscaping company serving Hertfordshire, Essex, and North London. With over two decades of experience, our expertise spans garden design, decking, fencing, water features, and more. Our founder, Alexander C Brothers, brings a wealth of knowledge from his upbringing in the horticulture industry and formal training at Writtle Horticultural College. We prioritise detailed planning and bespoke solutions, offering services from initial concept sketches to full-scale installations. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our use of premium materials, skilled craftsmanship, and a client-centric approach that ensures every project aligns with individual needs. Recognised as a Which?Trusted Trader, we maintain 1 million public liability insurance for client peace of mind. From small patio upgrades to comprehensive garden transformations, our team delivers results that blend functionality with aesthetic appeal. Customer testimonials consistently highlight our professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to overcome challenges such as pandemic-related delays. We serve both residential and commercial clients across locations including St Albans, Chelmsford, and Harlow, offering free site visits to discuss your vision. Our portfolio demonstrates expertise in creating low-maintenance solutions like artificial lawns alongside traditional landscaping elements, ensuring gardens that thrive year-round.
Services
Landscape Design
Decking Installation
Water Features
Fencing
Paving
Artificial Lawns
Garden Makeovers
Driveway Construction
Planting Schemes
Pergola Building
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of specialist landscaping experience
- Our design process includes free initial sketches and 3D visualisations
- We maintain 1 million public liability insurance coverage
- Our team handles projects from concept to completion
- We serve clients across Hertfordshire, Essex and North London
Associations and certifications
- Which? Trusted Trader
What people say
Wonderful new decking area
Very good price
Thrilled with the new garden
Pain-free process
Highly recommend
Services
Landscape Design
Our landscape design service creates tailored outdoor spaces combining aesthetics and functionality. We offer free initial sketches, detailed hand-drawn plans from 450, and complete design packages including 3D visualisations. Our process begins with site analysis and client consultation to understand your vision, budget, and practical requirements. With expertise in both traditional and contemporary styles, we incorporate elements like water features, decking, and planting schemes to create cohesive, year-round gardens that enhance property value.
Decking Installation
We construct durable, visually appealing decking using premium softwood, hardwood, or composite materials. Our skilled team builds structural frameworks with treated joists and installs decking boards with precision. Available options include integrated pergolas, multi-level designs, and low-maintenance composite solutions that resist weathering. We handle all aspects from ground preparation to final finishing touches, ensuring safe, long-lasting installations that maximise usable garden space while complementing your property's architecture.
Water Features
Our water feature installations transform gardens with soothing aquatic elements. Services range from small fountain features to complete pond systems with waterfalls and cascades. We select appropriate pumping and filtration systems to ensure easy maintenance while creating naturalistic effects using quality materials. Our expertise includes designing features that integrate seamlessly with existing landscapes, enhancing both visual appeal and ambient atmosphere through carefully considered placement and construction techniques.
Artificial Lawns
We supply and install high-quality artificial grass that maintains a lush appearance year-round without mowing or seasonal die-back. Our low-maintenance solutions suit families with children, offering stain-resistant surfaces that stay green through winter. The installation process ensures proper drainage and a natural look, with options suitable for both residential gardens and commercial spaces. This durable alternative eliminates ongoing lawn care while providing a consistently neat appearance that enhances property kerb appeal.
Fencing
We install various fencing types including picket, palisade, closeboarded, and decorative bamboo options. Our services create secure boundaries while enhancing garden aesthetics through thoughtful material selection and professional installation. We ensure proper post placement and structural integrity while considering existing plants and terrain features. Fencing solutions serve both practical security purposes and design elements that complement overall garden layouts, with options to suit different budgets and style preferences.
People
Alexander C Brothers
Managing Director
Founder Alexander brings 30+ years horticultural expertise from his family's garden centre background. Qualified with a National Diploma in Garden Design with distinction, he established Gardensdirect in 2002 after developing a bonsai department in Japan. His experience spans garden design, water features, and landscaping projects across Hertfordshire and Essex.
Questions
What areas do you cover?
We operate throughout Hertfordshire, Essex, and North London, serving locations including St Albans, Chelmsford, Harlow, and Waltham Cross.
What garden design options are available?
We offer free basic sketches, hand-drawn plans from £450, 3D visualisations, and complete design packages from £650 including planting schemes.
Do you handle complete garden transformations?
Yes, we manage full-scale projects from initial concept through to completion, including all elements from hard landscaping to planting.
Are your services insured?
We maintain £1 million public liability insurance and operate as a Which? Trusted Trader for client protection.
What decking material options exist?
We supply and install softwood, hardwood, and composite decking materials with structural frameworks using treated joists for durability.
Can you create low-maintenance gardens?
Yes, we specialise in low-maintenance solutions including artificial lawns, composite decking, and drought-resistant planting schemes.
Reviews (4)
Jesyka Lu
May 17, 2020
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We started off in a new build blank canvas and wanted someone who is a garden designer, but will also construct the garden for you (not sub contract it away as ideas gets lost in the process). We contacted Alex for initial ideas on how we could have a 'Japanese meets Tuscan' type garden. Alex really got what we wanted and drafted the design for us, taking into our requirements and also giving additional advise on improvements based on his long experience in this area.
Alex gave us clear quotations for each element of the garden changes which makes it very easy for us to decide what we want done
Alex gave us clear quotations for each element of the garden changes which makes it very easy for us to decide what we want done
Geraldine Deacon
Dec 09, 2019
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We needed shed demolition, a new sandstone patio, new fencing and demolition/ re-sizing of our raised beds. Alex was very clear in his quotes and the work this represented, leaving no ambiguity about the work that was going to be done. We are really pleased with the standard of his finish and the materials used - a lot of care has been taken to ensure the patio is beautifully flat! His design approach was fluid and quite happily responded to last minute design changes, he also was clear if this was not on the original pricing before going ahead, so no surprises in the final bill. I would gladly
Jack Wakefield
Dec 30, 2013
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We had a number of local landscapers and chose Alex of Gardens Direct as he understood our requirements. He submitted his estimate broken into stages of work which was very competitively priced. They worked quickly, effectively and finished earlier than expected and we have a lovely garden which is finished to a very high standard. We would highly reccomend Alex and Gardens Direct to anyone. Joy and John, Broxbourne
Katy Notley
Nov 08, 2013
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Our garden has been completely transformed by Alex at GardensDirect. Our lawn was wrecked due to the wet winter/spring we suffered so after consulting Alex we decided on something maintenance free. We discussed various options and decided to have artificial grass. Alex supplied samples and went to a great deal of effort. As we already have a decking area it seemed a good idea to extend this theme. Alex levelled off our lawn, laid sunken sleepers, put deck planks on the top of the sleepers and laid the artificial grass inside. It now looks like an extension of our decking, it's fabulous! Everyone
