I’m Olena — a biologist and garden designer specialising in resilient, naturalistic planting design.
For more than 15 years, I have been helping gardeners create beautiful, low-maintenance gardens that become more resilient and more beautiful with time.
For the past 8 years, I have been working online with gardeners from different countries, designing gardens adapted to their climate, site conditions, and lifestyle.
My approach is based on understanding how plants grow together as communities. I don’t simply select attractive plants — I create planting systems where every species has a role, thrives in the right conditions, and contributes to a balanced, long-lasting composition.
I work with a wide range of garden conditions — from sunny, dry sites with poor soils to shaded and moisture-rich areas — always adapting each design to the specific environment.
Through my blog and practical workbooks, I share the same planting principles and design methods that I use in my own projects.
If you need personalised guidance for your own garden, I offer online garden design services worldwide.
Services are available in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.
How We Work Together
All projects are completed online through a structured exchange of information.
At the beginning of the project, I ask you to provide a clear description of your garden, your goals, photographs, videos of the site, and any plans or measurements you already have. The more information you share, the better I can understand both your garden and how you want to use it.
Throughout the project, communication takes place through email and recorded video messages rather than live video calls.
Over the years, I have found that this format allows for a much more thoughtful and productive design process. I can carefully review your site, return to photographs and videos when needed, and develop considered solutions instead of making quick decisions during a single conversation.
Depending on the project stage, my responses may be provided as:
- written documents with plans, notes, and explanations;
- recorded video messages where I walk you through my ideas and answer your questions.
Garden design is a collaborative process. After each proposal, I welcome your feedback, and together we refine the project until it reflects both your practical needs and the way your family will use the garden.
My goal is not simply to create a beautiful plan on paper, but to design a garden that feels natural to live in and continues to work well for many years.
Because communication is recorded in writing or video, you can return to my explanations at any stage — during implementation, planting, or later when developing your garden further.
Online Garden Design Services
My work is organised into two main services:
Garden Layout Design — creating the spatial framework of your garden: zones, pathways, and overall structure.
Naturalistic Planting Design — creating resilient plant communities using carefully selected perennials and ornamental grasses.
Garden Layout Design
Who is this service for?
For gardeners who have a plot but need help creating a clear structure before starting the planting process.
This service is suitable if you are unsure:
- where the main garden zones should be located;
- how pathways should connect different areas;
- where planting areas, lawn, and functional spaces should be placed;
- how to create a garden that feels balanced and connected.
What is included?
- Analysis of your site and requirements.
- Layout of the main garden zones.
- Pathway and circulation planning.
- Placement of planting areas and open spaces.
- A clear spatial framework for future development.
Garden design is a collaborative process. After each proposal, I invite your feedback and refine the layout together with you until we reach a solution that feels right for your garden.
For me, it is important that the final plan is not only visually appealing, but also practical and comfortable for everyday life.
What will you receive?
A clear garden layout plan that provides the foundation for creating your future garden.
You will understand:
- how the space is organised;
- where different elements belong;
- how the garden can develop over time.
Please note: This service focuses on the overall garden framework. Detailed planting design and plant selection are not included.
Pricing
- Up to 400 m² — €200
- 400–600 m² — €300
- 600–1200 m² — €400
- Larger projects — quotation on request
Naturalistic Planting Design
Who is this service for?
For gardeners who want to create long-lived planting schemes with ornamental grasses and perennials that are suited to their specific garden conditions.
This service is ideal if you want a planting that:
- works with your climate and soil;
- provides seasonal interest throughout the year;
- requires less maintenance once established;
- becomes more beautiful as plants mature.
What is included?
Each planting design is developed specifically for your garden and includes:
- analysis of sunlight, soil, and growing conditions;
- selection of suitable plants and cultivars;
- naturalistic plant combinations;
- seasonal structure and flowering succession;
- mature plant size and spacing considerations;
- a scaled planting plan;
- plant list with quantities.
What will you receive?
A complete planting design ready for implementation.
The goal is not simply to fill a space with plants, but to create a resilient plant community where each species has a clear role within the composition.
Pricing
- Up to 100 m² — €200
- 100–200 m² — €300
- Larger projects — quotation on request
To get started
Please provide:
- A scaled site plan — a simple drawing where the scale is clearly visible (for example, a plan on a grid where one square represents 1 metre). This can be a hand-drawn plan on graph paper or a digital drawing.
- Photographs and videos of the area.
- Information about sunlight conditions and soil type.
- Your ideas, preferences, and any challenges you would like to solve.
Planting Plan Review
Not every garden requires a complete redesign.
If you have already created a planting plan — for example, using ideas from my workbook — but you would like another perspective before planting, this service can help you move forward with confidence.
This service is suitable if you:
- have a planting plan but are unsure about plant choices or combinations;
- have questions about spacing, plant behaviour, or whether the composition will work long-term;
- need guidance to refine your ideas before implementation.
How it works
You send me:
- your planting plan or garden concept;
- a list of specific questions you would like me to address;
- photographs or videos of the site;
- information about sunlight, soil conditions, and other important growing conditions.
I carefully review your design and prepare detailed written feedback with recommendations.
My review may include:
- comments on plant selection;
- advice on spacing and plant relationships;
- suggestions for improving seasonal structure and composition;
- recommendations for possible adjustments;
- photo examples or references where helpful.
This service does not include creating a new planting plan or redesigning your scheme from scratch. My role is to review your existing ideas, share my observations, and help you make more confident decisions before implementation.
What is included?
- One detailed written review of your plan and questions.
- Additional clarification on follow-up questions related to the same review.
Pricing
€90 per review
Contact
If you would like to discuss your garden project or are unsure which service is right for you, please send me a few words about your garden and attach photographs of the space.
I will help you understand the best way to move forward.
Email: olena.land@gmail.com
