Testimonials

garden articles

Helen is amongst the most talented garden designers, growers and magazine contributors I've ever commissioned. Kevin Smith Commissioning Editor, Gardeners World Magazine 2004-2010

garden talks

'Thank you so much for the talk you gave last night. I certainly enjoyed it and the comments from people as they left, suggests everyone else did too. I expect there are a lot of people examining their gardens as I write!' Wicken Bonhunt Gardening Club
'Helen delivered a captivating talk, keeping us expectant of what the next slide would deliver. Her love of plants coupled with her vision of how a garden will develop was envied by us all. How wonderful to be able to convert the things that bring such pleasure into a profession.' Girton Garden Society

garden courses

'Thanks to Helen's ability to impart her considerable knowledge in a way that made sense to a novice, I now know the sort of information that really makes the difference - and is not easily gained from books'. 'Very comprehensive and thorough, providing lots of ideas and inspiration' 'My eyes have been opened, thanks!' 'I have learned so much from you - I can't wait to get started on mine! ' 'Course is excellent. Thank you.'

and garden design... green with envy

'Thank you for transforming our uninspiring blank slate into a stylish and quirky garden. We are especially glad that, despite our initial misgivings, we went with your idea of the pergola: it has turned out to be the most inspired and beautiful feature, and all our neighbours are green with envy! Collaborating during the design process was fun and instructive - we always felt our views were taken into consideration, though it was your imagination and design experience that made possible the fantastic end result.' HB

fab1 & fab2

'Thanks for my fab little garden!' MM

'Just to let you know you did a fab job on training/pruning the rose on the fence. Its been absolutely wonderful this year. A great joy for about a month. just coming to the end of its flowering now. Many thanks', PG

easy to enjoy

'Helen's artistic flair and attention to practical details have made us a garden that is more beautiful than we could ever have managed alone and which is easy to enjoy and maintain.' GW

smart and practical

'Thank you for our smart, practical family garden, I can't believe all your shrubs have survived, indeed thrived, despite constant onslaught from footballs! I had to be patient, for various reasons, to get the garden I wanted, but we are really delighted with our private retreat. AC

terrific design

'With recent sun and now the rain the garden is becoming extremely rich in colour and greenery. We are extremely pleased with the outcome and thank you for a terrific design' CJ

inspiration

'I thought you might like to know that the garden you designed for us has received many compliments, especially the little path made out of granite cobbles, which goes winding out of sight lending mystery and interest. I was even inspired to compose an article about your make-over for my writing class. Our garden needs little attention and as it develops each season it brings more to delight the eye.' CD

creativity and plant knowledge

'Thank you so much for your help in the garden. The combination of your creativity, plant knowledge and practical advice has produced a truly beautiful result. We really appreciate all you have done. Everyone asks who the designer was and we have passed your number onto several people. As the project is nearly over I wanted to say a big thank you' JL

Helen Riches Garden Design and Writing, Saffron Walden