How do you create a lovely and resilient garden?
How do you create a resilient and lovely garden?
Our summers are now too dry for many plants to thrive, while our winters wet and mild, which classic Mediterranean planting struggles with too. Yet, your garden can still be a lovely space, where you and your family can rest, play and enjoy abundant planting and wildlife.
At Kemp Garden Design, we focus on designing and building beautiful gardens that can thrive in todays’ more adverse climate, while meeting your needs - be they to dine together, rest or play. The three building blocks to designing and building beautiful and resilient gardens are:
a diversity of planting
creating shelter and shade
conserving water
Whether you have a generous space in the countryside or a compact urban garden, the same principles apply. With the right design and careful landscaping, your garden will be much loved by family and friends (and wildlife) for years to come.
"James has been the perfect partner in re-imagining our Oxford garden.” Jim and Sara, 2026.
About James
I am an award-winning garden designer based in Oxfordshire, and started Kemp Garden Design in 2024. As a student at the prestigious KLC School of Design in London, I was awarded the Grand Design Award and the West Dean Trustees Prize ‘For outstanding achievement by a Design student’.
Today, I work with private clients, established studios, and architects around Oxfordshire and London, creating designs which reflect each unique client’s needs and personality.
“His scheme is joyous and creates a wonderful sense of place, with modernity blended with environmental awareness with style, colour and flair.” Alistair W. Baldwin
I love working with each client to create a unique garden, which feels like a natural extension of the home and landscape. And having once been a project manager, I can make sure the process goes smoothly.