About

As a garden designer in East Sussex, Kristina has been fortunate to work on a variety of projects in the past few years from city courtyards to large family gardens, tricky sloping sites and even two sensory gardens for schools. Each one brought its own unique challenges but with her creative vision and lots of hard work, her clients have been thrilled with the results. With 24 years of experience in horticulture and design, an in-depth knowledge of contemporary and historic gardens as well as a heartfelt love of plants and nature, Kristina aims to design the garden that’s perfect for you. Kristina volunteered with the gardening team at Great Dixter for several years up until the pandemic, which provided her with a wealth of inspiration and kept her at the forefront of horticultural practice and planting innovation, all of which she can bring to your garden. 

This fresh and creative approach is precisely that which Kristina took with her own garden '4 Waterworks Cottages'. Originally the garden was just a blank sloping lawn from front to back with random overgrown trees and shrubs. Over the next 8 years she developed it into a front, side and rear garden with terracing, new paths and sections to create a coherent design, enticing the visitor round the garden in a voyage of discovery Full of exuberant planting, many of her favourites and some new trial specimens, The garden serves as a constant source of inspiration and Kristina continues to develop it as it evolves over time.
Gardens never stand still! If you’re interested in coming to see Kristina’s garden, it is now open annually for the National Garden Scheme.

​

Kristina holds several awards for her designs including the Sussex Heritage Trust 'Landscape and Garden Award' for three consecutive years 2022-2024, the Society of Garden and Landscape Designers ‘Design for the Environment Award’ 2022 & 2021 and the coveted ‘Judges Award’ in 2021. Kristina’s work has also featured on BBC Gardeners World and she has had several academic papers published on the subject of garden history. Kristina has also been selected by The National Trust to redesign their historic Iris garden at Nunnington Hall which is due to be completed in early summer 2025. 

​

Design has always been an essential part of Kristina’s working life and prior to horticulture she applied her talents to the fashion world. However, it was through gardening her small plot in London that Kristina quickly came to realise the natural world was the only one she longed to be part of. Spending time outdoors, planning her garden and watching it develop and grow fulfilled Kristina completely. So she switched careers.

After gaining a distinction in a Horticulture, Garden Design & Construction BTEC, Kristina worked as a planting designer and gardener at a London company and studied for an MA in Garden History before moving to East Sussex in 2007. Here she worked for Bodiam Nursery before starting a family.

Finally, with her talents and passion combined, Kristina was ready to launch her own business and in 2010 Kristina Clode Garden Design was born. Kristina is a fully registered member of the Society of Garden and Landscape Designers, having passed their rigorous adjudication process.

 

Hear more about Kristina's horticultural career and ethos in this Plant Network Podcast  42. Castle to Garden Design Via Fashion, An Interview with Kristina Clode.

​