About Shirley Wallington
All of my adult life I have had a passion for gardening and especially sourcing and growing unusual plants from all over the world.
Shirley Louise Wallington
LANDSCAPE DESIGNER & CONSULTANT
I firmly believe that gardens should compliment the architecture and assist in enhancing its beauty by creating shadows, textures and colours.
I do consultations about gardens new or revamping. I do hand drawn scaled designs of gardens no matter how big or small.
I was so fortunate to be born into a garden loving family. Both my maternal and paternal grandmothers were keen gardeners. My mother and her sisters followed in her mother’s footsteps and I now carry on with this love of plants and gardening.
I have been designing gardens for about 35 years all over South Africa but I love the highveld climate most of all. We have cold winters but beautiful sunny days which allows us to grow some truly special plants. Spring is the best time followed by the Jacaranda’s that line the streets to bring in the hot summer days.
For 8 years I was on 702 Talk Radio with Jenny Crwys-Williams where I tried to inspire and provide information on all related garden issues. When Jenny left 702 I went on to be with Tamara Lepine-Williams on ClassicFM.
My style of gardening is mainly formal design with informal planting. But having said that, I try to find out what my clients would like in their own gardens and then provide as much assistance as I can to achieve a long lasting result.
Roses are one of my favourite plants and then to plant up productive veggie gardens is a must for any garden because the rewards you get from roses and veggies, is endless.
I am a natural gardener and refrain from ever having to use any form of toxic chemicals. My choice will always be to consider the environment and all of nature around me. There are many natural alternatives.
My Philosophy
I love helping my clients, together with their children, to become involved with me during the designing and construction of the garden because this is how they understand and come to love their own spaces. I always try to use plants and hard landscaping that they enjoy so I go to lengths to find out what their favourite colours, shapes and expectations are.
After many years working with people and plants I have come to love both very much and believe that plants form an integral part of our health and well being.
Beautiful gardens make you happy and when you enter your own space which is filled with the changing beauty of the seasons, it is so rewarding.
Services
I work with clients across Johannesburg, Pretoria and the surrounding highveld — and further afield in South Africa — on:
- Garden design consultations for new gardens and revamps of existing ones.
- Hand-drawn, scaled garden plans tailored to your home, no matter the size.
- Planting design combining formal structure with informal, seasonal planting.
- Natural, chemical-free gardening guidance and plant selection.
A selection of designs
A few of my favourite plants
Agapanthus
Clematis
Clematis
Cobea Scandens
Cuspidaria Convoluta
Hydrangea “Annabelle”
Magnolia Grandiflora
Rock RoseGardens
A selection from some of the gardens I have designed across Johannesburg and the highveld. Click any image to view it larger.
A Peaceful Spot To Sit And Watch The Sunset
A Peep Into The Private Pool Area
A Small Zen Garden
Abelia Francis Mason And Abelia Grandiflora Used For The Formal Hedges
Acacia On A Raised Area
Alecs Red Roses
Alstroemeria
Another Stop To Enjoy The View
Arch Over Walkway Next To The House 2
Arch Over Walkway Next To The House
Arches Covered In Roses
Arches Over A Walkway 2
Arches Over A Walkway
Artichokes 2
Artichokes
Benches Are Essential In A Garden To See The Spaces From All Sides
Blossom Magic Roses
Blue Painted Bench
Cabbages
Chairs To Create A Focal Point And Look Back At The House
Circle Below The Terrace Filled With Colourful Perennials
Circular Steps Going Up To Garden
Climbing Roses
Create A Circle Around A Tree With River Sand Or Crushed Stone
Curved Arches For Apples
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Delphiniums Planted Amongst The Roses
Driveway Has Different Textures For The Surface
Entrance Through The Front Door
Espaliered Apples
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Formal Front Entrance With Pondrnley
Gazebo In The Zen Garden
Grape Vines On This Curved Arch
Grass Steps
Iceberg Roses With Heliotrope
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Large Flat Container With Rock Roses
Large Property With Rolling Lawns
Large Tree With Rolling Lawns
Lavander Red Roses And Agapanthus
Long Vista Through The Hedges To Top Garden
Long Walk With Eugenia Topiary
Looking Back At The Old Farm House
Looking Through The Rose Garden
Lovely Pond Surrounded By Star Jasmine
Lovely Pond With Old Fashioned Pump
Lower Level Of Pergola
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Mixed Colour With Roses Opium Poppies And Altstroemeria
Mixed Indigenous Planting
Mixed Planting
Mondo Grass In Blocks
Mondo Grass Planted Between Blocks Is An Easy Way To Soften Hard Surfaces
Myrtle Hedges Form The Lower Section Of The Garden
Natural Pond
Oenathera On Either Side Of The Walkway
Partere 2
Partere 3
Partere
Pergola In The Corner Of The Garden
Pergola With Grape Vine
Pergola
Pleached Vibunum Senensis With Circular Bench
Pool Area Surrounded By Roses
Pot As A Feature In A Circle
Raised Pergola Behind Pond And Rose Garden
Raised Vegetable Garden
Re Purposed Gates Found When Installing The Garden These Were Used To Create The Secret Passage
Rill With Olives In Large Pots
Rolling Lawn With Roses
Rose Garden With Pond And Pergola
Rose Garden
Roses And Alstroemeria
Roses And Various Herbs And Veggies
Roses In Front Of Old Farm House
Roses In Front Of The Farm House
Seating In A Veggie Garden Under A Grapevine Pergola
Shrubs Surrounding Tidy Lawn
Simple Water Feature In A Quiet Corner
Sitting Amongst The Roses To Enjoy A Cup Of Tea
Small Pergola Planted Up With Grapes Alongside A Veggie Garden
Small Seating Area With Braai And Pizza Facilities
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So Many Wonderful Roses To Pick And Enjoy
Sunken Rill
Taps Are Fun To Use As Water Spouts
Thalictrum Is A Beauitful Fairy Like Plant
The Pool Was A Bit High So Using Mondo Grass Around The Edges Hid The Raised Concrete
Topiary Animals
Topiary Balls And Acers
Topiary Balls Inside A Buxus Hedge
Topiary On Pavement
Topiary
Using A Lovely Terracotta Pot For A Water Feature
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Vegetable Garden Hidden Behind The House
Vegetable Garden
Veggie Garden
Very Old Ficus
Werf Wall In Front Of Cape Dutch House
Wisteria Pergola On A Terrace
Wisteria Pergola
Work Table To Arrange Flowers And Work With PlantsA Peaceful Spot To Sit And Watch The SunsetFrequently Asked Questions
A few of the things clients most often ask before we begin.
What areas do you work in?
I am based in Johannesburg and work extensively across the highveld — Sandton, Bryanston, Rosebank, Houghton, Parkview, Pretoria and the surrounds — and I take on projects further afield in South Africa when the brief is right.
What garden design services do you offer?
Consultations for new gardens and revamps, hand-drawn scaled garden plans, planting design, plant selection, and advice on natural, chemical-free gardening. I work at any size — from courtyard gardens to large properties.
Do you provide hand-drawn garden plans?
Yes. Every garden design I produce is drawn by hand and scaled to your property. Each plan considers the architecture, the light, and how you and your family will use the space through the seasons.
Do you work on existing gardens as well as new ones?
Absolutely. A large part of my work is revamping and reimagining existing gardens — often opening up spaces, rethinking planting, and giving mature gardens a new lease of life.
Do you use chemicals in your garden designs?
No. I am a natural gardener and refrain from ever using any form of toxic chemicals. There are always natural alternatives, and I plan plantings that consider the local environment, pollinators, and long-term health of the garden.
How do I book a consultation?
Fill in the enquiry form below or email [email protected]. Share a few details about your garden and what you are hoping to achieve, and I will be in touch to arrange a visit.
Get in Touch
If you would like a consultation, please fill in the form below or reach out directly.