McKay Samantha

Sam designed our garden for us 17 years ago, so our garden is now mature. We still love the design every day and we have not made any major changes since. The design served all the purposes we asked for and working with Sam was easy and straightforward. We thought the price was on the steep side at the time, but as we are still benefitting from Sams professional knowledge after 17 years, it has proved to be an excellent investment. Services: Garden design, Landscaping design
Jun 15th, 2022

Last year we commissioned Sam to completely redesign our garden, which needed to incorporate retaining walls, circular steps, two patio areas and a water feature. After a couple of visits and a few tweaks we had the design we wanted. Once the landscape work had been completed Sam came back to discuss the planting plan, incorporating our ideas with hers. She planted the garden at the beginning of March and although it is early days yet we are very pleased with the results.
Jan 11th, 2019

Absolute first class service from design to completion. Samantha was thorough, diligent and very patient throughout when dealing with a couple who really had no idea where to start. The result has transformed our garden into a beautiful contemporary space we could only have dreamed of! We would not hesitate to recommend her work to others
Sep 10th, 2018

The worst service I have ever experienced (several broken 'deadlines' and now a completely lost planting season) and, in my opinion, at 720 for "a couple of hours" work it's very poor value for money. Go elsewhere if you have a "small" garden! It's just lies lies lies and more lies in the response! I never asked this woman to do anything "free of charge" and always offered to pay a reasonable fee! She knew from day 1 that I only needed help choosing "25 plants" and NOT a full design service. She omits to comment on the numerous 'missed appointments' which are fundamentally the crux of this matter. I hoped to have some plants in my garden this year but, thanks to SM Gardens, this is not possible now as I wasted three months waiting for her! I feel a design service should involve the client so I also never asked her to go out and buy any plants which I did NOT choose and DON'T meet my 'design criteria'! She also omits to say that she planned to drive past my house in a few weeks but couldn't be bothered to simply have a look at my garden and TALK to me (for which I would have paid a reasonable fee but NOT 720!!). The option of a telephone call was NEVER offered as she rarely even replies to emails and asks clients for a reminder service as she is so disorganised! I stand by my original review. AVOID this woman if you have a small garden as she is clearly only in business to make money and not help people or even to provide a professional service. PS A list with "ongoing maintenance advice" is an absolute joke. This list didn't even include details about the eventual size of the plants or even include any pictures!
Jun 13th, 2021

We commissioned Sam in 2016 to revamp our garden in spring 2017. We had numerous helpful and creative meetings in advance of work beginning . This process of consultation was invaluable in establishing what we wanted . Key was the location of our pond . Our inclination had been to put it some way from the house . Sams advice was the opposite and this was so right. We now see all manner of bird life close up - a joy year round. Our border were enlarged and a planting plan and colour scheme was established , taking account of our likes . The plan has been able to maintai. so the integrity of the design , a few years on remains intact. The plants are maturing and weve added some more and we are completely delighted with what we have and whats emerging. Weve called on Sams advice and support since work was completed and shes been great I would have no hesitation in recommending Sam and her team . Great planning , efficient implementation, good on site problem solving and not surprisingly a great result.
Mar 31st, 2019