Helen Elks-Smith FSGLD

Registered Practice: Elks-Smith Landscape and Garden Design

Known for her thoughtful approach to design and expertise in subtle, textural planting, Helen’s work is informed by a lifelong love for landscape and an intuitive understanding of the way gardens make us feel. Creating timeless gardens that are sensitive to their location, she believes that a beautiful, well-designed garden can have a hugely positive impact on our well-being.

With a background in mathematics, Helen went on to study garden design at Writtle College where her two interests were combined giving her the rare ability to think both creatively and technically, so that the gardens she creates are not only beautiful but practical too. She set up her studio in 2005.

In 2019 Helen was made a Fellow of the Society of Garden Designers for her outstanding contribution to the industry. She is a trustee of the Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG) promoting the importance of trees in cities and has won numerous awards including two RHS gold medals, three design awards from the Society of Garden Designers (SGD) and two Design Excellence Awards from the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI).

She lives and works in the New Forest in Hampshire.

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