Garden Design

Danny Clarke's bespoke design and build landscaping company

Danny’s own garden design company, has been creating fabulous gardens since 1997. The Black Gardener specialises in high end gardens which are carefully designed to reflect his clients’ vision. If you want a beautiful garden designed personally by Danny Clarke you can contact him directly for a consultation.

The Black Gardener offers a full bespoke design services including building work, construction, furniture and horticulture. Gardens can be any scale from private gardens to public spaces. If you have an interesting project and you want Danny’s input please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

I love to leave a small corner of the garden growing wild, its good
for the environment and local wildlife

Danny Clarke 2015

Design

Build

Construction

Horticulture

Furniture

Environment

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022

Danny was very proud to be part of the Grow2Know design team which exhibited a show garden at RHS Chelsea in 2022. Received with great acclaim, it was awarded a silver-gilt medal. The "Hands off Mangrove Garden" by Grow2Know depicted the plight of the West Indian immigrants who came to this country in the early fifties. The space cleverly juxtaposed in its messaging, human injustice with the brutality of climate change.

The creation with sustainability at its core was mainly constructed using recycled materials such as crushed concrete and preloved corrugated metal. Rich in biodiversity it horticulturally had plants and trees within the confines to attract a myriad of wildlife.

Danny had the privilege of meeting the Queen during the show. He says "seeing Her Royal Highness in the final year of her life was a true honour and will stay with me forever."

RHS Chelsea 2022 Silver Gilt with Award Cert

Garden designers Tayshan Hayden-Smith (L) and Danny Clarke pose with their silver gilt awards for the 'Hands Off Mangrove by Grow2Know' show garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022, Tuesday May 24, 2022. .RHS / Luke MacGregor

Britain's Queen Elizabeth visits the 'Hands Off Mangrove by Grow2Know' sanctuary garden designed by Tayshan Hayden-Smith and Danny Clarke in a buggy during a royal visit to RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022, Monday May 23, 2022. .RHS / Luke MacGregor

Peter Rabbit Garden,
St Clement & St James CE Primary School
Kensington

During 2022 Grow2Know formed a three year partnership with Penguin Books to build three gardens in the community celebrating Peter Rabbit's 120th birthday. The first was built earlier in the year at St Clement St James which is a school that resides in the Ladbroke Grove area. The others will follow in different locations on an annual basis. As part of the design team Danny is very proud to be involved in such an exciting project which connects the community with nature.

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Dunton Green near Sevenoaks, Kent

This space is for a client who wanted a low maintenance garden. The planting style gives an exotic feel to the area. Look out for the gorgeous old olive tree. Danny's not a fan of fake lawns but had to concede to the client on this, but the dog looks happy enough.

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Gloucester Royal Covid Memorial Garden

In October 2020 Danny was commissioned to design and build a garden for Gloucester Royal thanking the doctors, nurses and staff for risking their lives to save people while on the frontline of covid

The project was completed by 21st April 2021 enabling it to be opened by Anne, Princess Royal. This date marking the greatest intake of patients during lockdown the previous year is significant.

Yester Park, Chislehurst

Front garden planted with evergreens to give all year round interest.

Langley Park, Beckenham

Family garden built with a dog in mind. Plenty of open space for him to roam.

Devon

The basis of a beautiful garden already existed. Danny added a pond, patio, hammock and plants to reinvigorate it.

Hammersmith, London

Courtyard garden with brick raised beds and integrated lighting, artificial lawn, bespoke seat and prairie style planting.

Bromley

A garden for the family to enjoy. Danny created the raised bed next to the existing patio as a barrier. The newly laid lawn was reshaped into three concentric circles to add interest and increase planting opportunities. A patio laid with porcelain tiles built outside the office at the bottom of the garden.

Pondfield Road, Hayes (near Bromley)

Family space complete with herb garden, raised bed, childrens' play area and pond.

Cambridge Road, Bromley

Formal front garden. Drive constructed from granite sets interspersed with limestone slabs. Dwarf wall built with reclaimed bricks to tie in with house. Beech hedge divides attached property.