Anna Sissons, Garden Designer

Anna Sissons grew up in rural England in a family of keen gardeners — Anna has a young child in her family’s vegetable garden

designer

Anna Sissons is a garden and landscape designer based in Dorset and specialises in creating refined, ecologically-minded gardens across the south west.

Anna believes that gardens should delight us and draw us outside. To achieve this, there is a considered dialogue with the surrounding landscape and architecture. Working closely with local craftspeople and landscapers, Anna’s designs are careful to emerge from the landscape, rather than stamp upon it. Decisions on materials, planting and construction prioritise making a low environmental impact. This is balanced with a vision of how the gardens will endure and evolve over time.

Background

Anna has a strong connection to the natural world originating from a childhood spent in rural England and Brittany, France. Her memories of gardens are a mix of highly considered vegetable plots and wild orchards, gradually surrendering to nature. Gardening from a young age, Anna won Best in Show for her home grown Iceberg lettuces at the age of 10.

Before becoming a garden designer, Anna worked in the film industry where she managed the worldwide release of award winning documentaries.

Training and related work

Anna trained at Bristol’s Garden Design School and Capel Manor, London. In the past, she has worked as a gardener which informs her design approach and her understanding of how a garden will evolve. She continues to add to her training as part of her pre membership to The Society of Garden and Landscape Designers.

Anna writes for Dorset Magazine under their new editorship which launches January 2026.

“ From the very beginning Anna listened to the things that were important to us and then brought them to life using her creative flair and extensive knowledge. Communication with Anna has always been clear and timely. Her excellent technical skills show great attention to detail and her drawings gave the landscapers the confidence to build and create. We now have a truly wonderful garden which is admired and loved by us all. ”

— Alison, Sidmouth

Testimonials

“Thank you for all your hard work”.

RTW

“Anna is a pleasure to work with, sensitive to any plant preferences I had, and also to the view from my home and beyond, and very knowledgable about the plants chosen. Anna's designs on paper were meticulous too. The patio will be a delight for years to come, and has been much admired by visitors.”

ANNE, DORSET

“Anna was incredible at seeing the potential, understanding our brief and delivering something spectacular in our budget.”

GRACE, NORFOLK

“Our garden looks amazing! Anna did an excellent job of designing the plant scheme, managing the ordering, planting and care of the plants and the results are stunning. We would never had imagined that our garden could look this good.”