Business Details
25 Years
experience
Expert Garden & Landscape Design in Hampshire
Established in 2001, Beyond The Borders is led by professionally trained designer Aylwin Nissen, whose career merges Scandinavian design principles with a deep appreciation for English gardens. Our expertise spans hard and soft landscaping, project management, and bespoke planting schemes tailored to urban, rural, and heritage sites. With a portfolio encompassing private residences, historic properties, and public spaces across Hampshire, Surrey, and Cornwall, we prioritise collaborative design processes that reflect each client's vision.Our commitment to quality is evidenced by long-term client relationships and projects that evolve over years, such as the seven-year transformation of a Cornish mill house garden. We combine technical precision with creative flair, offering services from initial consultation to full project execution, including specialist plant cataloguing and aftercare maintenance. This approach ensures gardens not only meet immediate needs but also mature into enduring, functional spaces that harmonise with their surroundings.
Services
Garden Design
Landscaping
Planting Schemes
Restoration
Maintenance
Project Management
Plant Cataloguing
Consultancy
Water Features
Urban Garden Design
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- Established in 2001 with proven expertise in complex garden projects
- Personalised design approach blending Scandinavian minimalism and English gardens
- Comprehensive project management from concept to completion
- Specialist plant cataloguing using botanic garden methodologies
- Award-winning transformations of historic and contemporary landscapes
What people say
Lifelong love of gardens
Low maintenance designs
Project management excellence
Creative use of reclaimed materials
Seasonal planting expertise
Services
Garden Design
Our full garden design service begins with site analysis and client consultations to create tailored outdoor spaces. We produce hand-drawn and digital plans incorporating hard landscaping, architectural planting, and structural elements. Each design includes detailed specifications for tendering and regulatory compliance, ensuring seamless execution.
Landscaping
From concept to completion, we manage landscaping projects including terracing, drainage, and feature installation. Our process involves contractor selection, project oversight, and quality control. We specialise in integrating natural materials and sustainable practices while maintaining strict adherence to design plans and budgets.
Planting Design
We create seasonal planting schemes tailored to site conditions and client preferences. This includes plant selection, sourcing from specialist nurseries, and installation. Clients receive comprehensive plant care guides with maintenance schedules and photographic references to ensure long-term garden health and aesthetic continuity.
Restoration & Rejuvenation
Specialising in historic garden restoration, we revive neglected spaces through condition assessments and phased rejuvenation plans. Our work preserves original design intent while modernising functionality. Recent projects include pond restoration, invasive species removal, and path reconstruction using reclaimed materials.
Plant Cataloguing
We conduct detailed plant surveys using botanic garden methodologies. This includes GPS mapping, species identification, and database creation with accession numbers. Metal tags are installed for specimen tracking, supporting conservation efforts and maintenance planning for large estates and heritage properties.
People
Aylwin Nissen
Garden Designer
Aylwin Nissen established Beyond The Borders in 2001 after completing formal training at the Pickard School of Garden Design. With over two decades of experience in landscaping and project management, he specialises in creating harmonious outdoor spaces that blend Scandinavian minimalism with traditional English gardening techniques.
Questions
What areas do you cover?
We operate across Hampshire, Surrey, and Cornwall, with project management capabilities extending to nationwide and international commissions.
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes, we provide free initial consultations for full garden design projects within 20 miles of Alton, including Winchester, Guildford, and Farnham.
Can you restore historic gardens?
Yes, we specialise in historic garden restoration, including heritage site conservation plans and period-appropriate planting schemes.
How are project costs structured?
Costs vary by project scale. Consultancy is hourly-rated, while full designs include fixed fees for surveying, planning, and management phases.
Do you provide aftercare services?
Yes, we offer specialist maintenance and seasonal visits to ensure gardens reach maturity and maintain their intended design integrity.
