Ortus Garden Design & Maintenance
Ortus Garden Design and Maintenance is a business which prides itself on adding lifestyle value through the services offered. Husband and wife team Andrew and Pauline McQuade established the business in 2014, bringing their extensive combined expertise in horticulture and design together to offer a premium service for those looking to transform their gardens into living spaces which complement their lifestyles. Unlike more traditional landscaping and maintenance businesses, Ortus is a client-led design consultancy which aims to create outdoor spaces which reflect and enhance the lives of individuals.
Understanding how people want to use their outdoor space is the starting point for Pauline who works closely with clients to produce an initial design brief based on their personalities, motivations and aspirations. By understanding each family and how they want to use their outdoor space in the future she is able to start the process of creating a timeless design to meet their needs and that’s where the true value lies. Once the vision has been agreed, Pauline and Andrew then set about the business of turning dreams into reality, taking the stress and hard work out of managing a garden for their clients in the process.
Sustainability is key for Pauline and Andrew who are passionate about ensuring longevity and respecting nature when it comes to outdoor spaces. Andrew’s extensive plant knowledge and understanding of the practical considerations around garden maintenance and seasonality is central to the execution of each design brief. Working with the elements, for example sun position, allows the space to be maximised based on intended use: merging a client’s long-term vision for their outdoor lifestyle with the physical practicalities ensures a completely bespoke approach to every design.
For many, the vision for an outdoor space is based on socialising with family and friends and so designing an outdoor cooking and eating space is central to the brief. For others a quiet space to read in the sun or practice meditation in the shade is the aspiration and so the garden is designed around those lifestyle aims. What sets Ortus apart from other gardening businesses is the focus on the people at the center of every design and their lives. The outcome might be a beautiful new garden space, but it’s ultimately a people business and this comes through loud and clear in Pauline and Andrew’s enthusiastic approach to every project.
Approaching each garden as if it is her own means Pauline is completely invested when it comes to designing the perfect space. Whether clients have very clearly defined ideas, opposing ideas or no ideas about how to make the most of their outdoor space, Pauline thrives on the challenge of turning a blank canvas into something beautifully unique to each home. Managing expectations is a critical part of this process and excellent customer service means that every stage of the journey is thoughtfully communicated with clients as they watch their space being transformed with exceptional attention to detail regardless of the scale of the project. Whether you have a small residential back garden or a large overgrown estate, Ortus brings the same high level of service and enthusiasm to every garden, adding value and a touch of magic along the way too.
