Question 1

What's the process for starting a landscape design project?

Accepted Answer

It starts with a site visit. We assess your property — soil type, drainage, sun exposure, existing vegetation — and discuss how you use the space. From there, we develop 2-3 concept options with preliminary plant palettes and cost estimates. Once you pick a direction, we produce detailed planting plans and specifications.

Question 2

How long does a typical project take?

Accepted Answer

Design takes 2-4 weeks. A residential garden implementation typically takes 2-6 weeks depending on size and complexity. Estate-scale projects can run 2-3 months.

Question 3

Do you handle both design and implementation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We have a landscape designer (Widson Ambaisi) and a landscape architect (Martine Lotom) in-house, so we cover everything from the initial concept through to construction supervision. You can also hire us for design only.

Question 4

What areas do you cover?

Accepted Answer

We work across Kenya — Nairobi and its suburbs (Karen, Runda, Kiambu, Westlands), Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, and other regions. We also operate in Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Somalia.

Question 5

What's the difference between a landscape designer and a landscape architect?

Accepted Answer

Landscape design focuses on what grows — plant selection, garden layout, and planting schemes. Landscape architecture focuses on what's built — site grading, drainage, retaining walls, paving, and construction drawings. At Botanique Designers, both disciplines work on every project.

Question 6

How much does landscaping cost in Kenya?

Accepted Answer

A small residential garden design starts around KES 50,000-100,000 for design fees. Implementation costs vary widely — a typical residential garden might cost KES 200,000-1,000,000+ to build. We provide detailed cost estimates before any work begins.

Question 7

Do you offer free consultations?

Accepted Answer

We offer a brief initial phone or WhatsApp conversation at no charge. Site visits and detailed consultations are charged because they involve professional time, travel, and site assessment work.

Question 8

What's included in your maintenance packages?

Accepted Answer

Monthly packages typically include lawn mowing, hedge trimming, bed weeding, fertilisation, pest monitoring, and general cleanup. Quarterly packages add aeration, top-dressing, seasonal planting changes, and irrigation checks.

Question 9

Can I get just a design without implementation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many clients hire us for design only. We produce detailed planting plans and specifications that any competent contractor can follow.

Question 10

How do you choose the right plants for my property?

Accepted Answer

We start with your site conditions: altitude, rainfall zone, soil type, sun/shade patterns, and drainage. A garden in Karen (1,800m altitude) gets a completely different plant palette from one in Mombasa (sea level, sandy soil).

Question 11

What grass species work best in Nairobi?

Accepted Answer

Kikuyu grass is the most common and hardy choice for Nairobi. For a finer lawn, Paspalum or Cape Royal work well but need more water. Bermuda grass suits drier, sunnier spots. We recommend based on your soil, shade, and maintenance capacity.

Question 12

Can you help with indoor plants for offices?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We assess your space, select species that will thrive based on actual light levels, specify containers, and provide care schedules. We also offer ongoing maintenance visits for commercial interiors.

Question 13

How often should my garden be maintained?

Accepted Answer

Most residential gardens in Nairobi need weekly or fortnightly mowing and monthly comprehensive maintenance. We recommend a frequency based on your garden's size, complexity, and plant types.

Question 14

Do you offer monthly maintenance plans?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Monthly is better for gardens needing regular mowing and active bed management. Quarterly works for lower-maintenance landscapes with established trees and ground covers.

Question 15

What does a maintenance visit include?

Accepted Answer

A typical monthly visit includes lawn mowing, hedge and shrub pruning, bed weeding, deadheading, fertiliser application, pest and disease inspection, irrigation system check, and general cleanup.

Question 16

Can you take over maintenance of a garden designed by someone else?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We start with an assessment visit to document your plants and assess their condition, then write a maintenance plan based on what's in your garden. If we spot issues, we'll flag them and recommend solutions.

Question 17

Do you work on commercial properties, offices, and public spaces?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We design and implement landscapes for offices, hotels, restaurants, schools, hospitals, and public parks. Commercial projects require different plant selections, irrigation planning for larger areas, and compliance with county regulations.

Question 18

Do you install irrigation systems?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We design and install drip irrigation, sprinkler systems, and micro-irrigation setups tailored to your garden's plant types and water source. Every system is zoned to match different water needs. Installation typically takes 1-3 days for a residential garden.

Question 19

Can you design a water-efficient or drought-resistant garden?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We design water-wise gardens using species naturally adapted to your local rainfall — native grasses, succulents, indigenous shrubs, and drought-tolerant ground covers. Combined with proper soil preparation, mulching, and efficient drip irrigation, a well-designed garden can thrive on significantly less water.

Question 20

What is plant taxonomy and botanical labelling?

Accepted Answer

Plant taxonomy is the science of identifying, naming, and classifying plants. Botanical labelling involves creating accurate identification labels for trees and plants at schools, universities, and botanic gardens. Each label includes the species' botanical name, family, common names, and origin.

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