About Yardstick

Yardstick Landscape Design was borne of a passion for plants, an appreciation of form, and a desire to create.

I began my working life as a chef; working in many establishments in Adelaide, and then in London. The desire for a career which would prove constantly challanging, allow me to create lasting works, involve plants and growing, and allow scope for positive enviromental action led me to the Diploma of Garden Design at Urrbrae TAFE.

After studying horticulture for two years for a solid understanding of the world of plants and soils I moved on to the Garden Design Diploma.

Since registering Yardstick Landscape Design in 2002 I have worked with a burning desire for excellence and service, withhundreds ofsatisfied customers to date.

My love of plants, art, and form has led me through many avenues: from the beginnings of the business, through a great working partnership with Gavin Lawrence (currently of Living Colour Garden Design),to Yardstick today- creating andmaintaining beautiful gardens with dedication and passion.

Wehave designed all styles of gardens from the classic to strongly contemporary, courtyards to 50 acres, and temporary garden installations for the WOMADelaide festival (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) and the Bedford Foundation (see gallery).

A connection with plants and the earth will always lead to concern and compassion for the enviroment.

From early years growing up on a Permaculture-based hobby farm, to later years studying the intricacies and wonder of the plant world for myself, there has been one definite constant: an empathy for the earth. After further studies (Certificate of Permaculture Design at the Food Forest (see links)) I formed an alliance with Bohdan Dorniak (architect), and Pamela Gurner-Hall (Landscape Designer, Lecturer at Adelaide University and Urrbrae TAFE) to form a business dedicated to wholistic systems development- the Sustainable Design Studio.

To combine all of these contributing factors is a skill that I have honed with unwavering dedication for many years. It results in stunning, individual gardens built specifically for each client and site around sound construction and enviromental principles.