About

About Us

Welcome to Quercus Landscape and Garden Design, based in beautiful West Sussex. Meet Roger Smith and Chris Mennie, our dynamic duo with more than 40 years of combined experience in garden design and a background in garden design and architecture.

Our team has been recognised and honoured with awards from prestigious organisations like the British Association of Landscape Industries and the Association of Professional Landscapers, and we have even won medals at the renowned Hampton Court and Chelsea Flower Shows.

Whether your vision is a sprawling country garden or an intimate urban courtyard, rest assured that we have the expertise to design in both traditional and contemporary styles, adapting to your unique preferences.

Roger Smith

My journey in garden design began in 1998 when I completed my qualifications. I started my professional career with a local landscape firm in Chichester, where my commitment and creativity were recognised with a prestigious British Association of Landscape Award (BALI) for Best Newcomer in 2001, inspiring me to strive for excellence.

Seeking new challenges and growth opportunities, I joined Frost Landscape as a full-time garden designer in Milton Keynes. During my tenure, I proudly secured two additional BALI awards, showcasing my dedication to excellence in design.

In 2003, I transitioned to freelance work, collaborating with Frosts Landscapes and Scenic Blue. This exciting change allowed me to contribute to several show gardens at the esteemed Chelsea Flower Show in 2006 and 2007. My efforts were rewarded with another BALI award and an Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) award, solidifying my reputation for delivering exceptional garden design

My journey in horticulture took an exciting turn when I began sourcing plants for the gardens I designed. This endeavour blossomed into a fruitful partnership with a former nursery manager, sparking the inception of a plant supply business in 2010.

My passion for creating stunning outdoor spaces was further showcased when I designed a show garden at Hampton Court in 2012. This experience fueled my ambition, culminating in acquiring a 3.5-acre site in 2016 to establish Quercus Nursery. Here, we supply a diverse range of plants to both trade professionals and the public.

In 2018, recognising the need to focus my efforts, I decided to separate the nursery and design businesses. Since then, I have dedicated myself entirely to Quercus Garden Design, channelling all my energy into crafting exceptional outdoor spaces.

Our commitment to excellence was recognised in 2021 when we were honoured with the APL award for the best garden in the 175-250k category. This achievement, in collaboration with the landscaping contractor’s Garden House Design, reaffirms our dedication to creating exceptional outdoor environments.

Chris Mennie

My passion for landscape design blossomed after graduating in architecture, leading me to explore the intricate relationship between structures and their natural surroundings. In 1998, I embarked on my professional journey with Frosts Landscapes in Milton Keynes, where I honed my skills as a garden designer, estimator, and plant buyer. It was here that I achieved a prestigious Bali Award in 2006, a testament to my commitment to excellence.

Following my tenure at Frosts, I transitioned to a role as a horticultural advisor at Rochfords, a prominent trade nursery. Noteworthy among my achievements was the design of the Garden Media Guild Garden, a showcase of plants favoured by esteemed guild members like Alan Titchmarsh, Roy Lancaster, and Peter Seabrook. This garden served as a demonstration of excellence at Capel Manor, highlighting my dedication to creating inspiring outdoor spaces.

My professional journey has taken me to various high-quality landscape and garden design practices in Hertfordshire and north London. These experiences have allowed me to work on prestigious projects and deliver exceptional results to a discerning clientele.

In 2018, I relocated to West Sussex, where I co-founded Quercus Landscape and Garden Design with Roger. Together, we are dedicated to crafting beautiful outdoor spaces that harmonise with their surroundings and enrich the lives of our clients.

About Our Philosophy

By attentively listening to your preferences and desires, we strive to integrate your property’s architecture with its outdoor spaces, creating a harmonious blend with the surrounding landscape.

Drawing inspiration from both the design world and the natural environment, we endeavour to craft a bespoke solution for you. This includes selecting materials and plants that complement your style and enhance your outdoor space’s overall aesthetic.

Why Choose Us? The Quercus Difference

Landscaping is about transforming a piece of land with a blend of horticulture, environmental awareness, and artistic flair. If you envision a significant landscaping project, partnering with our professional landscaping company is a worthwhile investment.

The Quercus team collaborates closely with you to craft a design that harmonises aesthetics and functionality, incorporating principles like scale, proportion, balance, and unity. This ensures that the chosen materials and plants enhance your surroundings.

Landscape design and development complexities require expertise across various fields, access to local materials and equipment, knowledge of current trends, and connections to other industry professionals. As talented designers, we understand gardens’ emotional influence and can transform outdoor spaces into sanctuaries of well-being. We manage the technical aspects of hard landscaping and liaise between you and the landscape contractor.

When you join forces with the Quercus team, you get access to a network of resources that can save you time, money, and stress. With all the necessary resources at your disposal, your landscaping experience will be seamless and enjoyable. Quercus designs culminate in a garden you’ll cherish, promising countless hours of delight for years to come.