Meet Julia Langsman

The Garden Designer With A Penchant For Problem-Solving

garden designer julia langsman wearing blue jeans with a pink jacket and leaning on a brick wall

Award-winning garden designer Julia Langsman creates bespoke outdoor spaces in Hertfordshire and surrounding areas. Her previous career in PR and Journalism has honed her listening skills - skills that she now uses to design and develop gardens that perfectly match her clients' ideal aesthetic.

Of course there's far more to any garden designer than their work. Anna from Arbour Landscape Solutions has been chatting to Julia to find out what inspired her current career and just what gardens mean to her.

Q: What inspired you to become a garden designer?

A: I retrained in garden design following an earlier career in PR and journalism, in search of a more creative path. I’ve always loved plants and being outdoors, but garden design also involves a lot of logic and problem solving, and it’s the combination of skills that makes it so interesting. 

Q: How long have you been in practice?

A: About two years.

Q: Where did you train?

A: I studied garden design at Capel Manor College in Enfield, and horticulture with the RHS and at Hatfield House gardens.

elegant swimming pool garden designed by Julia Langsman

Red brick property in georgian style with elegant front garden designed by Julia Langsman

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

A: In 2024, I helped on Matthew Childs’ Bridge to 2030 garden. It was amazing to witness the artistry, vision and dedication of all those involved. 

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

A: Nature, architecture, other gardens, Instagram…

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

A: I use different landscapers for different projects, matching their skills, experience and availability to the requirements of each job.  

Immaculate lawn in front of a contemporary timber garden room. A low wall surrounds the wall and is topped by a globe shaped planter with ornamental grass growing in it

a low brick retaining wall is pierced by a set of garden steps which lead to a trellis-framed terrace

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

A: Grasses! They are the backbone of so many planting schemes, giving movement and interest for so much of the year. 

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

A: A well-designed garden can help people to relax, get closer to nature and enjoy spending time together with family and friends. 

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

A: It’s been very useful for me to have a good network of other garden designers and trades to learn from.

small walled garden with lawn and a circular planting bed designed by Julia Langsman

contemporary house with glass doors opening out onto a buff coloured patio with rectangular swimming pool

Q: Which trade shows do you like to attend?

A: RHS Chelsea is great for getting inspiration and keeping abreast of trends. Futurescape is very useful too from a materials and industry point of view. 

Q: Which areas of the country do you cover?

A: At the moment I like to stay relatively local (Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire) so that I can play a hands-on role in the project and visit the site easily. 

Q: Do you specify products for your designs?

A: Yes, with the help of excellent suppliers like yourselves. 

Q: Are you part of any trade body organisation?

A: I’m a pre-registered member of the SGLD, and a member of the Gardeners’ Guild. 

A big thankyou to Julia for taking the time to answer our questions and provide us with stunningly beautiful photos of their work. If you can think of a garden designer, landscaper, landscape architect or industry influencer, that you'd like to see featured our spotlight articles, we'd love to hear from you. Please E-mail Anna to nominate someone.
https://www.julialangsman.com 

Contemporary Pool Garden Project type: Domestic Rear Garden Julia Langsman’s streamlined design for a modern garden with a swimming pool is simply sublime. It transforms a moderately sized garden (250m2) into an inviting family space for children and adults alike. A lovely balance between hard and soft landscaping and clever use of planting on the boundaries, means that this suburban space feels like a secluded country garden.
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