Jessica Pybus
Drawing inspiration from the forms found in nature, my designs balance bold, abstract geometry with elegant structure and flow. I seek to honour the surrounding landscape in both design and planting direction — taking a minimalist approach to hard materials to set a canvas for naturalistic planting that feels immersive and timeless. Surrounded by the natural landscapes of the Surrey Hills, I am drawn to gardens that feel of their place — shaped by the character of the land and in harmony with it. In particular, I enjoy working with challenging sites and complex level changes, finding opportunities to unlock the full potential of the site.
Biography:
Retraining in horticulture and achieving qualification with the RHS underpins my site-specific and climate-resilient approach to planting — one developed and refined across a growing portfolio of gardens over recent years. Before retraining, I spent a decade in project management and management consultancy — work I found genuinely rewarding, but which ultimately led me here. That career built a fluency in client communication, contractor coordination, and the careful stewardship of complex projects from inception to completion — skills I now bring directly to the implementation of new gardens, where the difference between a good design and a great outcome often lies in the detail of delivery.
Instagram: @jessica_pybus_gardens
A five-acre former heathland site in Hampshire, this garden was conceived as a place of inspiration for an artistic family. Specimen Maples, mature Beech and Oak, and a natural Birch glade spoke to the richness of the landscape and ecology. Complex contours had long restricted access to a beautiful wooded valley below and unlocking that potential became one of the defining ambitions of the project. The design intention draws on the idea of reclamation — of oak and heathland reasserting themselves against the linearity of former pine plantation. Where straight lines once dominated, gnarly angularity now thrives. This tension is expressed throughout: long linear sight lines emphasise sweeping vistas across the full extent of the garden and draw the eye to destination spaces, while meandering paths take over at ground level, offering discovery and a sense of unhurried exploration. In resolving the site’s challenging gradients, the design unlocks the full experience of the landscape — from an upper terrace to a lower valley fire pit and den, and a striking pool house with infinity pool that frames the valley beyond. Planting reflects the character of the former heathland, punctuated with the bold vertical accents of fastigiate Italian Cypress.
A large family garden set between the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, this project called for a design that could hold its own against a landscape of remarkable character — while responding to the equally demanding brief of a busy, sociable family. The site itself offered rich material to work with: a Grade II listed wall running through the heart of the garden and a barn outbuilding that together speak to the farming heritage of the place, shaping the layout and informing the flow between spaces. Woven through the design is a personal homage to Yorkshire’s knitting tradition — the intricate geometry of cable patterns translated into intertwining paths, rills and sculptural hedging that create mystery, movement and a sense of discovery as the garden unfolds. Spaces for dining, lounging and private retreat emerge from this structure naturally, each distinct yet connected. Planting is bold and vibrant, offering vivid seasonal contrast that energises the garden year-round and matches the spirit of the family it was made for.
A residential townhouse garden in London, designed for a young family on a site that presented a rewarding set of requirements — significant level changes, protected trees, and a listing that demanded sensitivity to the history of the building. The design takes its geometry from a quatrefoil relief above the front door, translated into a diagonal layout that animates the long rectangular plot and makes the garden feel larger. Within that structure, a complex brief is resolved quietly — entertaining space, a woodwork area, and room for play, connected by level changes designed to feel natural and safe for young children and pets. Dense, wildlife-friendly planting completes the picture, creating an oasis of calm from the city beyond.
A wedding venue of Royal heritage, this project sought to bring cohesion between a Grade II listed Georgian cottage and its wrap-around grounds — creating a seamless setting for events that feels as considered outside as it does inside. The design draws its inspiration from a former Horse Chestnut tree that once stood on the site — a place of social gathering and quiet connection — and that spirit runs through the design. Generous event spaces overlap with intimate areas for retreat; a focal water feature draws the eye and invites exploration; and sculptural topiary lends dynamism and year-round interest to the visitor experience.