Rae's extensive portfolio of garden and landscape designs throughout Surrey, Sussex, London and the South-East range from contemporary urban courtyards and village gardens for traditional town and country houses, through large country gardens and landscaped schemes for rural estates, to modern designs for contemporary houses, Huf Haus and cutting-edge architectural Grand Designs.
Whether creating brand new gardens or reimagining existing gardens, Rae's sensitive, naturalistic designs often include multi use outdoor living spaces and features such as outdoor kitchens and kitchen gardens, entertainment spaces, swimming lakes and pools, outdoor gyms and play spaces, growing parterres, orchards and meadows.
In addition to private residential projects, Rae also undertakes public realm commissions including sensory care gardens, and charity-sponsored RHS show gardens.
She brings her intuitive creativity and extensive practical knowledge of horticulture and materials to design gardens that will evolve well as they become established. Her early training in Art and Design and her subsequent experience in environmental conservation, landscaping and garden maintenance are fundamental to her approach.
Rae values the restorative power of plants and gardens, bringing a philosophy of wellbeing to each commissioned project. Currently working from her studio on the Knepp Estate in West Sussex, she is a keen observer and supporter of the rewilding project unfolding around the estate which aligns with her sustainable and nature inclusive approach to design.
She was awarded a silver-gilt medal for her Healing Urban Garden (HUG) at RHS Hampton Court Flower show which was also one of English Garden Magazine's top picks of the show.
Rae has created RHS public space gardens and trade stands at RHS Chelsea Flower Show and been involved with other award-winning gardens as a planting consultant over a number of years.
Her most recent success was receiving the award for Best Planting Design in Pro Landscape Magazine's small project BIG IMPACT awards 2022 and being shortlisted in the Pro Landscaper Sustainability and Biodiversity Awards.
Currently Rae sits on the judging panel for the SGLD and Prolandscaper and the editorial panel for the Garden Design Journal alongside being an active committee member for BALI South Thames.
Rae designs, monitors and consults throughout the entire process from the initial consultation to completion. She can design and oversee all elements of a scheme from hard landscaping to planting schemes, along with site-specific, bespoke features such as structures, seating, planters, water features and other architectural elements including decking, living walls, terraces, outdoor fire places and garden lighting.
Rae is committed to establishing and maintaining strong and effective working relationships with professional contractors, suppliers, growers and artisans who collaborate in the creation of beautiful garden spaces for clients.
To learn more about commissioning Rae, and the fees and processes involved, please get in touch.
Below: Rae Wilkinson with two members of the team who collaborated in the creation of her award-winning Healing Urban Garden at RHS Hampton Court – Alun Heslop furniture sculptor, and Tecwyn Evans of Living Landscapes.
If you have a new garden project, or would like to explore exciting new possibilities for your existing garden, get in touch with Rae to book a consultation.
If you're not quite ready but would like to keep in touch, you can follow Rae on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
As a sustainable practice flexible to client needs Rae offers video calls as an option alongside meetings on site. To book a Zoom consultation please get in touch – Rae would love to meet you!
