Kent’s specialist coastal garden design studio
At Ivy & Whyte, we are specialist garden designers who understand the beauty and challenges of living by the coast in the UK. From our studio in Hythe, Kent, we have worked on designing gardens for over 10 years that go beyond simply surviving the weather conditions associated with being close to the sea; they thrive.
Our designs blend creativity with extensive plant knowledge to create an environment that feels as though it is part of its location, whilst providing moments when your garden becomes your own. Whatever style of coastal garden you are looking for, be it a modern coastal terrace, a protected family garden near the coast, or a large coastal retreat, our award-winning team will apply the same level of dedication and enthusiasm to each of our projects. As well as being registered with the Society of Garden Designers (SGD) and the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL), our work has also been featured at RHS national flower shows, including Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.
Why Coastal Gardens Need Specialist Designers
Coastal gardens face extreme conditions that no other type of garden experiences — salt-laden winds can decimate a garden overnight, dry, sandy soils with poor moisture retention, wind on exposed sides, and the colour-changing intensity of coastal light throughout the year. These aren’t obstacles to overcome for the seasoned coastal gardener — these are opportunities.
Coastal gardens have a milder climate that allows for an expansive variety of Mediterranean and subtropical plants than many believe possible. The quality of light at the coast is unparalleled. And, the inherent textures of the shoreline (driftwood, pebbles, weathered stone) create a distinct design vocabulary.
The difference between a coastal garden that fights and one that thrives lies in knowledge. Knowing what plants will hold fast to the ground in windy conditions, what materials will withstand the corrosive effects of salt air as it ages, and how to layer the necessary protection to keep harsh winds at bay while maintaining unobstructed views — those are the skills and the experience we bring to every coastal garden project.
Full Garden Design
From the concept of the design to the final planning drawings, 3-D computer-generated images, and planting schemes, our team will assist you in designing a functional and aesthetically pleasing garden, utilising cutting-edge technology combined with time-tested horticultural knowledge to create a realistic presentation of what your garden will look like before breaking ground. The plantings are what bring a coastal garden to life.
When selecting plants for coastal gardens, we choose those that are not only salt- and wind-resistant but also visually appealing and provide year-round interest. In addition, we take into account local biodiversity and plant according to the micro-climate, soil type, and orientation of the garden. This approach utilises the years of experience we have gained in designing coastal gardens across Kent and the South East.
During the construction phase of your garden, we will be in close contact with experienced and reputable landscaping contractors and builders. We will regularly visit the site to ensure compliance with the original design intent and provide direction when needed.
From the solicitation of bids and procurement of materials through to the completion of the planting, we will be actively engaged to ensure all details of the garden design are implemented accurately. We purchase plants directly from specialists in plant nursery production, arrange for their delivery to your location, and perform the planting. Additionally, we can assist with providing aftercare and maintenance to help maintain the beauty of your garden over time as it grows and develops.
How We Design Coastal Gardens
Each project starts with an open-ended conversation. We would like to hear how you use your outside space, what is important to you, and what you want to achieve in your garden.
From this point, we follow a structured approach to keep you engaged and excited throughout the design process. A free site visit will allow us to meet you and your garden and to listen to your thoughts, ideas and lifestyle. We will talk about the potential of your garden and create a relaxed atmosphere to help you develop your vision and understanding of what your garden could look like.
The free site visit applies to all areas within a 10-mile radius of our studios. Following your initial consultation, we will present you with visual reference boards (mood boards) and examples of style to help guide the direction of your garden design.
This could include colour schemes, plant types to be used, styles of hard landscaping materials, etc. We want to ensure we are on the same page before we draw anything.rn Using the information from your consultation and the visual references we provided during stage two, we will now create your concept designs. These designs will give you a visual representation of your garden using sketches, 3D images and detailed plans.
This is the time to review every detail of your garden design and make changes until you feel completely happy.rn Once you are satisfied with the concept designs, we will create technical drawings and site plans for your contractor or builder to use to build your garden. During this stage, we will also provide material samples and continue working with you to perfect every aspect of your design.rn During the construction phase of your garden, we will work closely with you and your contractor or builder to ensure your garden design is built to the highest possible standards.
We will regularly visit the site to monitor progress and communicate with you and all parties involved to ensure that everything runs smoothly and that the finished result meets your expectations. At the end of the construction phase, we will source, deliver, and plant every plant, tree, and shrub required to complete your garden. We will also offer a range of after-care and maintenance options to help you maintain and grow your garden over the first few years and beyond. Mood Boards & Style Exploration Concept Designs & Refinements Technical Drawings & Detail Planning Construction & Project Management Planting & After Care
The Key Challenges of Coastal Garden Design
The coastal environment is very different from other environments and impacts many aspects of our work. Each day we solve a variety of problems related to wind and salt exposure; free-draining and sandy soils, choosing materials that last; and working with coastal light.Wind & Salt ExposureStrong winds and salt spray from prevailing winds can harm foliage and dehydrate plants.
To protect against this, we design layered windbreak systems utilising durable hedging species (Griselinia, Elaeagnus) and native coastal shrubbery to create sheltered microclimates that still allow for an open feel and expansive views.Free Draining and Sandy SoilThe soil in coastal areas is typically thin, alkaline and quickly drains. To address these limitations, we improve soil density by adding organic material and choose plants that have evolved to thrive in similar conditions, including those found in Mediterranean regions that are naturally tolerant of fast-draining soils and lean soils.Choosing Durable MaterialsWeathering occurs faster in coastal environments due to the increased speed of air movement and moisture. To ensure that the materials we choose will perform well over time, we utilise materials that are durable in a coastal environment (Corten Steel, which forms a protective patina over time); hardwoods like teak and cedar; natural stone; and marine grade stainless steel.
In addition to being durable, many of these materials also develop aesthetic characteristics when used in a coastal environment.Working with Coastal LightingLight at the coast is stronger and more reflective than light in most other locations. We take full advantage of this difference and select plantings and materials that respond to the unique lighting conditions of the coastal area (e.g., silver-leaved plants reflect sunlight, while grasses appear to glow when illuminated from the rear in the late afternoon).
A wealth of experience on which coastal plants
Coastal gardening’s single most critical element, the selection of suitable plants for your coastal garden design, will ultimately determine its success; therefore, it is essential to select the correct plants for your specific area. Over many years of designing and maintaining our own coastal gardens on the Kent coast, we have developed a wealth of experience on which coastal plants can perform well in strong winds, withstand salt, and thrive in poorly-draining soils.
We source our plants from specialist nurseries, including trusted partners like Palmstead, to ensure the quality and provenance of every specimen.
Where We’re Based
From our Hythe studio, we cover the Kent coastline with deep local knowledge of its particular conditions. Although we are rooted in Kent, we regularly take on projects across the wider South East.
Wherever the coast is, we are happy to talk. Our Hythe studio, led by Mark, has been a fixture on the Kent coast for over a decade. We design gardens in Folkestone, Deal, Canterbury, Ashford, and right along the Kent shoreline.
We understand the exposed conditions of the Channel coast and the sheltered microclimates found in the valleys and harbour towns. The same specialist expertise runs from Hythe and Folkestone round to Deal, Sandwich and the Thanet coast. Kent Coast
Coastal Garden DESIGN
We are so passionate about the design of coastal gardens that we decided to write about it. Coastal Garden Design (Mark Whyte) is a complete guide to building beautiful, sustainable coastal gardens.
The book will help you capture the essence of coastal living and draw upon the knowledge we have gained from years of designing in such unique coastal locations. The book is currently available on Amazon and would be a great reference for anyone working on a coastal garden design project, whether you are using a professional or doing it yourself.
Coastal Expertise: Our primary experience lies in the creation of coastal gardens, and our expertise in this area will be reflected in your garden.
National Award-Winning Designers: Our design team has received recognition for their designs at national RHS shows (including two years at Hampton Court Palace), and we bring the same enthusiasm to each of our private client projects.
SGD/ AP Registered Members: As Registered Members of the SGD and AP, we ensure our designs and build standards are maintained at the highest levels of professionalism.
Local Knowledge: Ivy & Whyte’s studio sits on the Kent coast at Hythe, giving us genuine local knowledge along the Southern Coastline.
Personal Approach: Ivy & Whyte was formed in 2014. It’s the relationships we form with all of the clients that mean most to us, far more than anything else.
Full Service: We look after everything from the initial consultation through to planting day and beyond into ongoing maintenance. This way, you’ll always know where you’re going and what to expect.
From the journal
Ideas, planting inspiration and project stories from our coastal gardens across Kent.
Mark has been brilliant throughout our garden redesign. He’s listened to our needs, kept in touch with us throughout the process and always there if we had any questions. Love our new garden and highly recommend Ivy & Whyte.
Read full review
Mark created some great designs for us and after a few iterations we settled on what is close to the first one!Mark recommended Hythe Garden Landscapes who also did some great work with pavers, fitting the water table and digging trenches for lighting.Mark and his team then returned for the planting and six months later we have a fantastic colourful garden we've been able to enjoy throughout the summer. We are very pleased about the outcome and would highly recommend Ivy & Whyte.
Read full reviewExcellent from start to finish. Mark really listened to what was important to us & produced designs that reflected & added to our vision. The recommended landscaper (Martin Gosbee) brought the structure to life. The planting scheme instantly tied everything together to produce a beautifully coherent & peaceful space. Also impressed that Mark made us a video annotating what each plant is & how to care for them. Highly recommend the services of Ivy & Whyte.
Read full reviewIvy & Whyte have been brilliant from start to finish when designing our garden. I’m so glad we choose them. Mark was so helpful and always on hand to answer any questions, going above and beyond. We get so many comments on how beautiful our garden is. Thank you Ivy & Whyte. Well worth the investment! 1
Read full reviewIvy & Whyte did a wonderful job designing and planting our garden. They were great to work with, fulfilling our brief of a low maintenance coastal garden. They were very responsive and a pleasure to work with. We are delighted with our garden 🪴 Positive Quality, Professionalism Services Custom landscape design 1
Read full reviewI can highly recommend Ivy and Whyte, extremely professional but also a very personal service.They fully interpreted our ideas to the garden design of our dreams. Any queries or adjustments we wanted were implemented immediately and emailed back to us promptly. A pleasure to work with, a five star service. Thank you Mark, Annabelle and Sharmayne Services Garden design
Read full reviewMark and Sharmayne listened carefully to our brief and were able to create a magical mood in our beautiful garden. They were a pleasure to work with, and were quick to respond to changes that inevitably came up. Very professional, supportive and with good communication. We are delighted with our new garden. Positive Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism, Value
Read full reviewMark and Sharmayne have created a dream garden for us. We wanted a total contrast to our previous garden in suburbia, and one that reflected our new life in Hythe. They came up with a coastal themed design which we agreed to . We love the shingle path ways leading to the olive and pine trees, a sea groyne water feature, a patio area in the sunniest corner and the sunken fire pit. We have spent many happy hours enjoying it . The changing seasons in the garden are with out doubt a joy. Mark and Sharmayne have managed to create a garden that four years on has now matured into a beautiful tranquil space.
Read full reviewNice people who listened to us and interpreted our thoughts accurately from design to final product. Nothing was too much trouble for them. Our friends and family regularly give positive comment about our garden, which has been totally transformed. So impressed we are currently discussing with Mark and Sharmayne changes to the front garden. Thank You. Positive Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism
Read full reviewI was very impressed with how brilliantly Mark and Sharmayne were able to match their designs to my initial and very explicit vision of a coastal themed garden and the different types of flowers, plants and trees I wanted. Their knowledge of plants and the best locations and conditions for them is quite exemplary. They were able to modify the designs where necessary and they have always been very willing to give me advice after the construction and planting. Within 6 months of completion, I have been amazed with the beautiful display I have had in just the first year. There has been a joyful succession of flowering from early March to late summer. This garden has been so therapeutic for me and never stops giving more and more pleasure. I could not recommend Ivy & Whyte Garden Design more highly. Positive Responsiveness, Quality, Professionalism 1
Read full reviewGood to know
Everything you need to know about coastal garden design — from the right plants and costs to timelines and where we work.
The main difference is that a coastal garden faces salt-laden winds, sand or chalk soils and bright sun and high light levels, which can be very difficult for many inland garden designs to cope with. A specialist coastal garden designer is aware of which plant species, materials, and layouts can thrive in a coastal environment and knows how to incorporate them into their designs to make the most of the conditions in which the garden is situated.
Plants that have been proven to be wind-resistant and salt-tolerant will thrive in a coastal garden. Plants which fall into these categories include grasses (Stipa, Miscanthus), plants native to the Mediterranean region (lavender, Santolina), native plants such as Sea Thrift and Sea Kale and structural evergreen plants (Griselinia, Phormium). As each garden has its own unique characteristics, the type of plant that would be suitable for a particular garden will depend on the aspect, soil, and exposure of that garden.
Yes. We offer a completely free, no-obligation consultation, where we will come to your garden to discuss your ideas and assess its condition. This service is provided complimentary if you live within a 10-mile radius of our studio in Hythe, Kent. If you live outside this area, a small travel charge may apply.
All gardens are unique; therefore, the price for a coastal garden design will depend on the size of your garden, the level of detail and complexity required in the design, and the full extent of the services you require us to undertake. We always clearly explain our fees before undertaking any work for you; you will never receive a surprise bill.
Costs depend on garden size and scope of work. Design fees are typically around 10-20% of your garden build cost. A full design starts from £3k but individual drawings and services can be quoted individually.
Yes. The look of coastal gardening is all about creating a casual, natural planting style using natural materials and designing the garden to feel open and unstructured. It is perfectly possible to create a coastal-style garden anywhere, whether the property is near the coast or inland. We have written a comprehensive book called “Coastal Garden Design”, which shows people with inland properties how to create coastal character in their own garden.
From the time you first contact us until we hand over the final design for your garden, a typical design project will take between three and six months to complete. The build phase of the project will vary greatly depending on the scale of the project, however we oversee every aspect of the project to ensure that everything runs smoothly and efficiently.
We operate from our studio in Hythe, Kent. From here, we offer our services to clients living in the coastal towns and villages of Folkestone, Deal, Canterbury, Ashford, Sandwich, and the surrounding countryside. We are also able to take on projects in the wider South East region of England on an ad-hoc basis.
Yes, we design with your budget in mind and we work closely with the landscapers to ensure we keep your build within desired costs. By adjusting planting density, material choices, and phasing the project, we can design to suit a range of budgets.
A landscape architect usually works on large-scale projects like public spaces, housing developments, or parks, often with planning and engineering considerations. A garden designer focuses on private gardens and outdoor living spaces, creating detailed planting and layout plans for homeowners.
How we work
Every Ivy & Whyte garden moves through the same considered journey — a detailed 3D visual to picture the space, a measured planting plan, then the finished garden brought to life on the ground.
A small, award-winning studio of designers and plantspeople — from our founders to our technical and planting specialists. Every garden we create is shaped by hand, by the people you see here.
Mark who runs the Kent studio, studied horticulture and garden design in 1999 and developed one of Kent’s leading and most highly respected landscaping businesses employing over 35 full time landscapers and gardeners. As the business grew, Mark became evermore passionate about garden design, creating Ivy & Whyte in 2014. Two RHS national show garden awards later, Mark now heads up the Kent practice and also runs talks and workshops on his specialist area of coastal design.
Charmaine brings a huge amount of planting and maintenance knowledge to the team. Her natural passion for wildlife and gardening is contagious. She has worked in nature and gardens all her life in various roles. She works with us to create magical planting displays and then helps with plant aftercare to keep our gardens looking fantastic.
Bethany joined the Ivy and Whyte practice in 2021. She brings fantastic experience with the latest technical drawing advancements, which gives clients the very best visuals of their proposed new garden space. As well as having the technical ability, Bethany assists with concepts and undertakes all our garden site surveys. Her keen eye for detail and creative input fits perfectly into the team design briefings.
Awards & Press
Mark has been brilliant throughout our garden redesign. He’s listened to our needs, kept in touch with us throughout the process and always there if we had any questions. Love our new garden and highly recommend Ivy & Whyte.
Read full reviewMark created some great designs for us and after a few iterations we settled on what is close to the first one!Mark recommended Hythe Garden Landscapes who also did some great work with pavers, fitting the water table and digging trenches for lighting.Mark and his team then returned for the planting and six months later we have a fantastic colourful garden we've been able to enjoy throughout the summer. We are very pleased about the outcome and would highly recommend Ivy & Whyte.
Read full reviewExcellent from start to finish. Mark really listened to what was important to us & produced designs that reflected & added to our vision. The recommended landscaper (Martin Gosbee) brought the structure to life. The planting scheme instantly tied everything together to produce a beautifully coherent & peaceful space. Also impressed that Mark made us a video annotating what each plant is & how to care for them. Highly recommend the services of Ivy & Whyte.
Read full reviewIvy & Whyte have been brilliant from start to finish when designing our garden. I’m so glad we choose them. Mark was so helpful and always on hand to answer any questions, going above and beyond. We get so many comments on how beautiful our garden is. Thank you Ivy & Whyte. Well worth the investment! 1
Read full reviewIvy & Whyte did a wonderful job designing and planting our garden. They were great to work with, fulfilling our brief of a low maintenance coastal garden. They were very responsive and a pleasure to work with. We are delighted with our garden 🪴 Positive Quality, Professionalism Services Custom landscape design 1
Read full reviewI can highly recommend Ivy and Whyte, extremely professional but also a very personal service.They fully interpreted our ideas to the garden design of our dreams. Any queries or adjustments we wanted were implemented immediately and emailed back to us promptly. A pleasure to work with, a five star service. Thank you Mark, Annabelle and Sharmayne Services Garden design
Read full reviewMark and Sharmayne listened carefully to our brief and were able to create a magical mood in our beautiful garden. They were a pleasure to work with, and were quick to respond to changes that inevitably came up. Very professional, supportive and with good communication. We are delighted with our new garden. Positive Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism, Value
Read full reviewMark and Sharmayne have created a dream garden for us. We wanted a total contrast to our previous garden in suburbia, and one that reflected our new life in Hythe. They came up with a coastal themed design which we agreed to . We love the shingle path ways leading to the olive and pine trees, a sea groyne water feature, a patio area in the sunniest corner and the sunken fire pit. We have spent many happy hours enjoying it . The changing seasons in the garden are with out doubt a joy. Mark and Sharmayne have managed to create a garden that four years on has now matured into a beautiful tranquil space.
Read full reviewNice people who listened to us and interpreted our thoughts accurately from design to final product. Nothing was too much trouble for them. Our friends and family regularly give positive comment about our garden, which has been totally transformed. So impressed we are currently discussing with Mark and Sharmayne changes to the front garden. Thank You. Positive Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism
Read full reviewI was very impressed with how brilliantly Mark and Sharmayne were able to match their designs to my initial and very explicit vision of a coastal themed garden and the different types of flowers, plants and trees I wanted. Their knowledge of plants and the best locations and conditions for them is quite exemplary. They were able to modify the designs where necessary and they have always been very willing to give me advice after the construction and planting. Within 6 months of completion, I have been amazed with the beautiful display I have had in just the first year. There has been a joyful succession of flowering from early March to late summer. This garden has been so therapeutic for me and never stops giving more and more pleasure. I could not recommend Ivy & Whyte Garden Design more highly. Positive Responsiveness, Quality, Professionalism 1
Read full reviewFree, no-obligation consultation. Even if we’re not the right fit, you’ll leave with valuable insights about your coastal garden’s potential.
hello@ivyandwhyte.com · +44 (0) 7832 332 436 · Hythe, Kent
Free, no-obligation consultation. Even if we’re not the right fit, you’ll leave with valuable insights about your coastal garden’s potential.
