If you’re anywhere near Worthing in the next couple of weeks, you might like to pop into the library where I’m exhibiting 3 paintings with the Sussex Road Group, an artists’ group who meet for monthly life drawing sessions. At the end of October, I spent a week at the Norfolk Painting School where I […]
GARDEN DESIGN BLOG. IDEAS, INSPIRATION AND NEWS
Please do browse my garden design blog; in it you’ll find garden ideas, inspiration and product reviews, reports from Shows including the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, pretty pictures from places I’ve been, a bit of arty stuff (paintings and drawings) and anything else I find interesting that I think you might enjoy too.
COTSWOLD GARDEN TOUR 2014
I’m delighted to be able to tell you that I’ve been working with Cotswold Walks to design a tour of Cotswold gardens for next June. The tour will focus on the work of selected 20th century garden designers so that these gardens are seen in their historical context rather than just as something ‘pretty’. Because […]
Inspiration from nature; Pulborough Brooks
I find my greatest inspiration directly from nature; not so much in the way that natural floras have evolved and how they co-exist, though this too is interesting, but more in the colours and moods created by light, landscape and water. I’m lucky enough to have the RSPB site of Pulborough Brooks on my doorstep and so […]
Chelsea Flower Show 2013
I was lucky enough to go to the Chelsea Flower Show on Saturday as I was helping a contractor friend with a few last minute bits and pieces. The buzz of Chelsea build-up is something I wish everybody could experience as there is almost nothing to beat it! As always, it’s the gardens that draw […]
Architectural Plants
I recently visited what is probably one of the most beautiful and exciting nurseries in the UK; Architectural Plants. It does what it says on the tin, growing and supplying plants that are architectural in their form, and I’d like to take a moment to expand on what that means. The garden designer Christopher Tunnard […]
Planting design award
I mentioned a while ago that I was a finalist in the Society of Garden Designers’ Awards in the Planting Design category; well I’m delighted to say that I won! The ceremony was held in London on Friday, a bit of a glitzy do with champagne (I didn’t drink all of those…) and posh frocks. […]
natural swimming pond
I’ve recently been back to the Village Garden (see Portfolio, VILLAGE) to see how it’s looking now we’re a few years on from completion. The garden features a natural swimming pond, a concept that is used extensively on the continent but is relatively new in the UK. The idea is that rather than using chemicals (and […]
House and Garden Spirit of Summer Fair
I’m going to be at the House and Garden Spirit of Summer Fair in a couple of weeks time as I’m giving a talk in the Interiors and Garden Theatre on the Art of Planting Design. This is something very close to my heart as I’ve always approached planting design in the same way that I paint – using […]
I’ve moved to Sussex!
I’ve just moved to Cootham, near Storrington in West Sussex. Amazingly, the boxes are now all unpacked and I’m revelling in my gorgeous new (old!) house and in getting to know the area; I’m on the edge of the South Downs and right by Parham House. On Sunday afternoon, as a break from unpacking, I […]
Amelanchier lamarckii
One of the things I love about gardening is the thrill of anticipation. While I’m not immune to the instant gratification of an immediate make-over, nothing quite beats going out every day to see how a favourite plant is doing, watching tiny growth each day, waiting for the moment when the ever fattening buds will burst. […]
