DESIGNER PROFILE

Graduating recently from the London College of Garden Design, Sonya achieved a Distinction level on the Planting Design Diploma and was praised for her "originality of thought".

She enjoys an inventive approach when designing a planting scheme and considers context and symbolism as well as form, rhythm, texture, colour, scale, balance and how the whole garden hangs together.

Arriving at planting design was a natural progression from her horticultural training at Capel Manor and several years as a self-employed gardener building up a base knowledge of plants.

Prior to this, she graduated with an English degree and worked for some time in Japan.  More recently a career in Finance beckoned.  Her broad interests bring a liveliness to her conversation and her varied experience brings a unique and creative approach to her designs.
 

Her end goal is to deliver planting with artistry that fulfills the wishes of the client and needs of the site.

Sonya has accepted projects in the Peak District, Northumberland, Suffolk and Hertfordshire as well as in London, where she is currently based.  She has designed and implemented planting schemes for coastal, woodland, Mediterranean and container gardens, rockeries and pond sides.

 

The garden maintenance arm of the business is known as Ophelia Gardening and is comprised of Sonya and Holly Royall, where the all-female team take on (and take care of!) domestic gardens across North London, with regular clients in Hampstead, Belsize Park, Tufnel Park, Muswell Hill and Finchley. 


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• 2022    Planting Design Diploma    London College of Garden Design, London (graduated with Distinction).

• 2021    Gardening with Grasses    Learning with Experts, Online Academy

• 2020  Carpentry for Women Natural Builders, Coed Talylan, Brecon Beacons

• 2020   Hand Rendering for Designers   Learning with Experts, Online Academy

• 2019   Professional Gardener City & Guilds, Capel Manor College, London

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• 2023 Presented a show garden at the Belvoir Castle Flower & Garden Show

• 2022 - Present  Sonya Whaley Planting Design   Freelance Planting Designer

• 2018 - Present   Ophelia Gardening   Freelance Plantswoman and Gardener, London

VOLUNTARY EXPERIENCE

• 2023 - Present.  Social Media for London area, National Garden Scheme 

• 2023 - Planting Design & Implementation for National Garden Scheme stand at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 

• 2019    London Gardens Trust    Dorset Square Gardens, London

• 2019    World's Largest Show Garden, Game Fair  Hatfield House, Hertfordshire

• 2018    Natural History Museum Wildlife Garden    London