It was Geoff Hamilton who turned me onto gardening in my forties. I’d never been interested before but once I watched Geoff I was inspired. He said “Just be good to your plot, make it fertile and let the flowers tell their story to the heart”. His garden at Barnsdale in Rutland is well worth a visit. Click here for website
The originator of the informal cottage garden style was William Robinson born in 1838. He changed the face of gardening from the Victorian carpet bedding and a formal layout to simplicity and the absence of pretention. His garden at Gravetye Manor in Sussex is wonderful. Click here for website
Gravetye Manor garden
Gravetye Manor huge herbaceous border
I guess Alan Titchmarsh must have influenced me along the way but my heart belongs to Dan Pearson. Oh my goodness. He was on TV way way back in the 1980s and now he is a world renowned garden designer. His books are wonderful to read and for me he epitomises style, grace and modesty. Look at his website Dig Delve and you’ll see what I mean. He is in a class of his own. Click here to see his website
John Brookes is also a hero of mine. His garden is Denmans in Sussex where he lives and works. He wrote about small gardens years ago and inspired me to find this style I have now. His garden is a place of beauty and tranquility.
John Brookes’ Denmans garden – a lovely place to sit
Lastly of course I love watching Monty Don, Nigel and Nell.
We’re soon passing the shortest day and then it’s into early Spring. Here’s to another wonderful gardening year in 2018.
