Serving Raleigh-Durham,
Research Triangle
Thoughtful garden design and planting plans built for the Carolina climate.
Structured layouts, layered planting, and practical choices that support biodiversity and long-term health.
We design gardens that are resilient, sustainable, and tailored to the realities of your site: sunlight, soil, and how you actually live outdoors.
ABOUT
Meet Alexander
AJL Garden Design is led by Alexander J. Lynn, a UK-trained garden designer based in North Carolina.Before founding AJL Garden Design, Alex worked in insurance and risk management in London, including a privileged role supporting the 7th Duke of Westminster. Time spent among historic country estates and gardens left a lasting impression.Choosing a more creative path, Alex undertook formal garden design training at a respected British institution and went on to establish a garden design and maintenance practice in London, specialising in urban gardens and heritage properties.Now based in the Triangle, Alex brings British horticultural mastery to North Carolina’s subtropical climate, with a strong commitment to native and climate-appropriate planting, sustainability, and biodiversity.His designs prioritise plants that support pollinators, birds, and local ecosystems, while remaining elegant, restrained, and timeless. The result is gardens that feel calm and natural, yet are built to thrive—combining ecological responsibility with thoughtful, enduring design.
Services
What we offer
Garden Design
Full concepts and layouts for front or back gardens—structure, materials, and overall flow tailored to your home and how you want to use the space.
Planting Design
Bed-by-bed planting plans shaped by sunlight, soil, and style—built for seasonal interest and lasting performance.
On-site Consultations
Guidance for site-appropriate plants, placement, and maintenance priorities—ideal if you want expert direction without a full design package.
Installation
Hands-on support to bring the plan to life—planting, placement, and finishing details, with a focus on quality and longevity.
Aftercare & Ongoing Maintenance
Thoughtful aftercare and ongoing guidance to support your garden as it establishes. Helping plants adapt, mature, and flourish while maintaining the integrity of the original design.
Process
How we Work
1. Initial conversation
We talk through your space, goals, budget range, and how you want to use the garden.2. Design & planning
Clear design direction and planting recommendations tailored to your site conditions.3. Implementation support
Support to ensure the plan is executed as intended—whether you install in phases or all at once.
Approach
Designed to Thrive
We balance structure with softness—texture, colour, and carefully chosen plants that feel natural, calm, and timeless.Good garden design should:
• Work with local climate and soil• Support wildlife and pollinators• Feel calm and cohesive, not overworked• Be practical to live with, not precious
We prioritize locally sourced plants where possible and make biodiversity a practical part of the design, not an afterthought.
Background
UK Roots
Raised between the United Kingdom and the United States, Alex was shaped by two cultures with a shared respect for land, craft, and tradition.His British roots trace to rural Devon, famed for its country cottage gardens, while his American family history is grounded in Johnston County, North Carolina.After spending much of his life in the UK, he returned to North Carolina in 2025.Alex’s connection to horticulture was formed early. His mother was deeply fascinated by flower arranging and dreamed of opening her own floristry business.She travelled widely across Europe and the Middle East, working in flower farms and creating distinctive cut-flower displays.Her life was cut short at a young age, leaving those ambitions unrealised, but her love of flowers and creativity remains a quiet driving force behind Alex’s work.He was also influenced by his British grandmother’s passion for gardening, spending many of his formative years helping his grandmother tend to her quintessentially English garden.
From first conversation through installation support, we stay involved to make sure the plan translates into a finished garden that looks good now and keeps getting better.
Reviews
Kind words from clients
“Transformed our jungle into an urban sanctuary — thank you Alex, we can’t wait til spring!”
— Amy C.“Absolutely incredible! I’m astounded by how much Alex accomplished in my garden… Could not recommend more highly.”
— Anna T.“Top class design and service.”
— Thomas C.“Super friendly, great communication, and incredibly thoughtful about what to plant next.”
— Ellie A.“Professional, passionate, and mindful — it’s clear how much he cares about his work and the wider environment.”
— Kim H.
Contact
Ready to Reimagine Your Garden?
If you’re looking to improve your outdoor space—whether it’s a full redesign or a focused planting plan—we’d love to hear from you.Share your details in the form provided and I will be in touch soon.
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