Want to design your garden but don’t know where to start?
Find Out in 3 Minutes!
Discover the design style that suits you best and get expert tips.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Plants you love. A garden style that speaks to you. A space that truly feels like you.
Are You Dreaming of Creating a Garden That Feels Like You?
You dream of having a beautiful, cohesive garden, but…
- You feel overwhelmed by all the design ideas out there—how do you even start?
- Your outdoor space feels disconnected, cluttered, or uninspired, and you don’t know how to fix it.
- You’ve tried planting a few things, but nothing looks quite right—and you’re tired of wasting time and money on plants that don’t work.
- You wonder how other people’s gardens always look so effortless, beautiful, and complete—but yours feels like a random mess.
Here’s the good news: Designing your dream garden doesn’t have to be confusing or overwhelming.
It all starts with uncovering your garden style.
Imagine knowing exactly what works for you—the plants, colors, and layout that bring your outdoor space to life. No more guessing, no more overwhelm—just a clear vision for a garden you’ll love coming home to.
Take the Free Quiz and Discover Your Perfect Garden Style
In just a few minutes, you’ll:
✅ Uncover the garden look that feels uniquely you.
✅ Gain clarity on what makes a garden cohesive and beautiful.
✅ Get the confidence to start designing a space that reflects your style—no matter your experience level.
Bringing the Joy of Garden Design to You
"I know what it’s like to feel unsure where to start—and I want to make it easier for you."
I remember those early days in 2000—standing in my own yard, full of ideas but craving guidance to tie it all together. That passion led me to study garden design, and in 2004, I founded my own studio, Puksipuu, to start designing for others, too.
In 2020, I created Garden Design Stories—an online coaching and education platform for homeowners and garden lovers like you. Because I’ve been in your shoes, and I know how powerful a bit of guidance can be when you’re ready to turn your ideas into a beautiful, cohesive garden.
Whether you’re starting fresh or reimagining your space, I’m here to guide you step by step toward designing a garden that reflects who you are and brings you joy every day.
It all starts with uncovering your garden style.
Hi, I’m Sari Lampinen, MSGD, a garden designer and educator. I’m here to help you uncover your unique garden style and DIY design a space you’ll love—one step at a time.
How It All Started
From a Blank Canvas to Something Beautiful
"It all began with a blank canvas and a simple desire to create."
When we bought our first house, the garden was… well, hardly a garden at all. Just a narrow strip of concrete, a patch of lawn, and tiny hedges along the edges. As a mother of two young boys, my days were full and busy, but in the evenings, after they were asleep, I found myself drawn outside—digging, planting, and creating.
It wasn’t just about the garden. It was about how it made me feel. With every flower I planted, I felt more creative, more refreshed. Slowly, that blank space transformed into something beautiful. Gardening brought me joy and peace after a hectic day.
The Turning Point—A Master Plan & a New Calling
"I needed clarity and confidence, so I designed a plan—and a new path forward."
When I first started with the nearly empty plot of land, I felt super excited but, at the same time, overwhelmed. There were so many things to learn and grasp to start. After working late evenings in our garden, fully embracing the opportunity, I still longed for deeper understanding, confidence, and a clear vision for our garden. So, I applied to a garden design school in London, UK. I learned to do what I do best—I designed a plan. That garden master plan became my guide, turning uncertainty into a clear layout and a vision. Piece by piece, my dream garden took shape, evolving into a space that brings joy to our family every single day.
But the journey didn't stop there. That one plan sparked a passion that led me to:
🌿 Founding my garden design studio, Puksipuu
🌿 Becoming an accredited member of The Society of Garden Designers, UK (MSGD)
🌿 Serving four years on the Council of the Society of Finnish Landscape Designers
🌿 Teaching, writing for top garden magazines, and sharing my knowledge
And now, through Garden Design Stories, I help and teach homeowners like you to design gardens that reflect who you are and how you live—gardens with beauty, meaning, and a story of their own.
Resources
Ready to Transform Your Garden? Download Your Resources Now!
Plant for a Buzzing Spring
Spring can be a tough season for pollinators, but your garden can make a difference! Discover 10 Early-Flowering Plants Perfect for USDA Zones 4–6.
P.S. Pair this plant list with my Soil-Smart Spring Bulb List, and you’ll create a double win for your garden—a feast for the eyes and for the pollinators!
Soil-Smart Bulbs
Now is the perfect time to plan your spring display—even though planting happens in the fall. Why? Because your current garden is showing you exactly what’s missing. Which spots could use a little early color? Where would a romantic drift of snowdrops or an elegant patch of crocuses make you smile?
Ideal Garden Project
This workbook is tailored to guide you through the three essential steps of choosing and kickstarting your next ideal project. You are well on your way to making your best garden ideas a reality!
Featured in the green industry discussion series on TV, sharing expert insights on landscape design and representing the Finnish Society of Landscape Designers.
You were never meant to figure this out alone.
Garden lovers just like you are finding clarity, confidence, and joy in creating outdoor spaces that reflect who they are. They’re raising their hand, taking the first step, and transforming their gardens—one small project at a time.
Take it from our gardeners themselves…
Minna
Helsinki, Finland
After attending Sari's course, I feel confident in selecting plants, and I know what I need to take into consideration when making my choices, such as colors, sizes, flowering periods, placement, and so on. I look forward to see my flower garden in full bloom.
Ora & Benjamin
Colorado, USA
I love that Sari took us step by step. The quiz gave us the garden style we wanted, during the online session she really guided us to create our own dream garden based on our taste and needs.
Sara Underwood
Massachusetts, USA
Sari made great color suggestions, taking into account my preferences for darker colors for both flowers and foliage. She pulled up photos of the plants so I could see how they looked and would be able to see how they fit with the other plants to produce an overall effect.
Take the First Step
"Feeling stuck? Overwhelmed? Don’t worry—it all starts with uncovering your garden style."
Take my free Garden Style Quiz and discover the look that feels like you. In just 2 minutes, you’ll gain clarity and inspiration to create a garden you’ll love—one step at a time.
Take the Free Quiz“I've always found choosing plant and flower colours difficult, and more often than not, gone with expensive trial and error, and felt horribly guilty when taking plants out that just don't work. I feel a lot more confident now. I have a game plan, I can pick the right colours and styles to give balance, and envoke how I want to feel in the garden and how I want visitors to feel as well.”
Pip Barrett, Western Australia / Bloom Your Garden Colors Student
