What we do
At Sylvan Gardens we create diverse and naturalistic gardens. We focus on designing and creating exciting species-rich plantings and managing their creative aftercare. We design with successional flowering and structural interest throughout the season in mind.
This nuanced and plant-focused approach not only creates beautiful spaces but also benefits wildlife through a range of habitats and forage. We also undertake full garden designs and on occasions small bespoke construction projects, especially when using locally sourced or reclaimed natural materials in interesting ways.
Who we are
Mark Furmston and Alexis Montaigu have a combined 30 years of experience in horticulture. From managing the weekly care of large gardens to designing and creating new spaces across East Sussex and London we have a broad set of skills. Based in St. Leonard’s on sea we have been working on projects both small and large together for the past decade.
After completing an honours degree in Fine Art, Alexis retrained in Garden Design gaining a first-class Foundation Degree at Plumpton College. He started his own business over a decade ago designing, creating and maintaining numerous gardens. With a pair of secateurs in one hand and a sketching pencil in the other, he is fascinated by the intersection between design and hands-on creative maintenance. He focuses on creating inventive, nuanced spaces with a naturalistic planting leaning and loves using natural stone and timber in inventive ways.
Mark started his career with Growing Concerns in East London. During that time he completed a City and Guilds in Hard-Landscaping and worked in the plant nursery. Since moving to the coast and starting his own business over 15 years ago, he has developed a passion for sustainable growing, forest gardens and wild plants. He is interested in the relationship between productivity and beauty. He has completed RHS qualifications at Hadlow college and a permaculture design course with the Brighton Permaculture Trust.
Mark and Alexis are fully committed to continuing professional development through short courses, lectures and further reading. This is our passion!
How we do it
We have two main services; the ongoing creative maintenance of gardens and our design and planting services.
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