Meet Judy Shardlow

A garden designer who puts creative spatial thinking at the heart of every design

Hertfordshire based Judy Shardlow has a knack for making smaller gardens feel like larger gardens and for creating intimate spaces within larger gardens. Her practice, Heartwood Garden Design champions sustainability and openly promotes the art of creating beautiful spaces to benefit people and nature.

Judy kindly took time out of her busy schedule to chat with Anna Roochove about her career path and what fuels her creativity.

Q: What inspired you to become a garden designer?

A:  I think like many designers it comes from a love of plants and wild spaces as well as an instinct for good design. Good design should be beautifully simple but should also be innovative. That’s what I aim to achieve in all gardens.

Q:  How long have you been in practice?

A: I started working in 2016 so around nine years and I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in stunning projects with some very lovely clients.

Q: Where did you train?

A: Capel Manor and London College of Garden Design

Q: Which award winning Chelsea Flower Show gardens inspire you?

A: Ones that have really made an impact on me in the past include Dan Pearson’s Chelsea Flower Show Chatsworth Garden and Cleve West’s garden for M&G at Chelsea Flower Show, inspired by an ancient oak woodland in Exmoor National Park. Both showed an incredibly acute observation of nature, which was amazing to see recreated in the heart of London. 

Q: Where do you gain inspiration for your garden designs?

A: I like strong design, I want to see movement and drama in designs in a way continually draws people into spaces,  and makes them feel happy and safe.

Limestone pavers contribute to the relaxing ambience of this outdoor living space

The planting surrounding this generously sized patio cleverly blurs the lines between paving and lawn

Q: Do you always tend to work with the same landscaper to install your gardens?

A: No I work with selected landscapers and it’s a pleasure to work with them because they are as committed to high quality work as I am.

Q: Tulips or Grasses what are your favourites and why?

A:  Grasses because of their longevity in the garden providing movement and interest throughout the year.

Q: In one sentence how would you encapsulate the transformative power of gardens?

A:  In a world which can feel ‘non-stop’, gardens offer a place to sit and really appreciate what really matters in life.

Q: What advice would you offer to newly qualified designers?

A: Get your head around construction and engineering and learn CAD.

This pretty path simply begs to be explored

Beautiful planting creates small points of interest to draw visitors into the garden and encourage them to stop for a mindful moment

Q: Which trade shows do you like to attend?

A: The Landscape Show

Q: Which areas of the country do you cover?

A: Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, North London

Q: Do you specify products for your designs?

A: Yes either specific products or creative direction on style

Q: Are you part of any trade body organisation?

A: Pre-reg member of the SGLD

We think you'll agree that Judy's work is outstandingly beautiful. If you'd like to see more of it, she has an impressive portfolio hosted on her website. Click here to learn more about Heartwood Garden Design.

There is also a lovely Judy Shardlow case study featuring products from Arbour Landscape Solutions in the inspiration section of our website....we're looking forward to featuring even more of her projects as time goes by.

Would you like to be featured in one of our client spotlights? It's not at all difficult. Simply email Anna to express your interest and she'll be in touch to explain the whole (easy) process.