Conversations With…
We asked award-winning garden designer Rachel Platt, about her approach to garden design, the role structural forms play in her designs and what she feels makes a garden truly memorable.
Discussing the role of sculptural forms, and her philosophy on creating synergies between indoor and outdoor spaces, with multiple Harrogate Flower Show Gold Award-winning garden designer Lorna Batchelor from Yorkshire Garden Designs.
Ian Easterbrook from The Aviary Garden shares his thoughts on creating an inspiring tropical oasis in West Sussex and being guided by your own creative spirit when creating a garden.
Samantha Cook from Bardney Manor Walled Gardens talked to us about the journey to revitalising the Manor's 18th-century walled garden and creating a space that combines serenity with a strong sense of character and identity.
We invited North Northamptonshire designer Hannah Phillips to talk about her process and why sustainability lies at the heart of her garden designs.
Andrew Dobbin talks about creating a garden inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement, his early ambition to become a stage designer and the influence this has had on his garden, and lessons his gardens have taught him over the years.
Southlands Garden owner and National Garden Scheme participant, Maureen Sawyer, talked to us about maintaining an awareness of a garden's eco-system that also has a strong sense of personality.
Neil Lucas from Knoll Gardens in Dorset talked to us about his naturalistic approach gardening, the role of sculpture alongside planting and creating a sense of atmosphere and magic in his garden.
We had the pleasure of talking to Heather Morgan from Wild Clover Garden Design, who shared her thoughts on creating gardens to combat the stresses of everyday life, garden ‘rooms’ and using plants to create atmosphere and structure.
We had the pleasure of speaking to Timothy Clark from Netherhall Manor in Cambridgeshire who shared his thoughts on the evolution of his home and garden and his lifelong commitment to preserving historic and increasingly rare flower varieties.
Creator of Yorkshire’s Great Cliff Exotic Garden, Kristofer Swaine, talks to us about the inspiration behind his unusual garden, designing a journey of discovery and why opening his garden to visitors has been such a rewarding experience.
Kathy Faireweather, a National Garden Scheme participant from Derbyshire shares why she’s passionate about gardening and how her creativity has shaped how she, and others can experience her garden.
National Garden Scheme participant, Matthias Gentet shares the story of his garden’s evolution, the hard work and dedication it’s taken to create it, the learning curve he’s been on and how a garden can develop a sense of atmosphere over time.
Nik Edser from Langdale Landscapes took the time out of his busy schedule to talk to us about how his business has evolved over the last 33 years, his philosophy on creating seamless indoor/outdoor spaces and structural forms he uses in his designs.
National Garden Scheme participants Peter and Ann Chillingworth from Oak Farm in Essex talked to us about the role of nature in their garden, creating a ‘secret garden’ and how to create atmosphere and character in a garden.
Chris and Polly Myers from Mansion Cottage, Bempton share their thoughts about their gardening learning curve and on allowing a sense of rebellion to guide their design ideas.
Lavinia Todd from Arevinti Garden in Lancashire shares the personal journey that led to her garden’s creation and how her creativity and imagination shaped her garden and its stories.
Lise Roberts from Glasfryn Hall in Caerwys, Flintshire tells us about the landscapes that have inspired her, blending art with their garden experience, and the evolving role of gardens as our environment and climate continue to change.
Eco-friendly garden designer Rose Orlik from Rose Orlik Gardens share her thoughts about engaging our senses in our gardens, her fluid and flexible approach and becoming bolder with structure in her garden designs.
Ian Brownhill and Michael Hirschl, passionate and award-winning gardeners, share their thoughts on the learning curve that came with their move to their 1.3 acre Nottinghamshire garden and creating a sense of atmosphere.
Garden designer Alison Green shares her thoughts on the journey to transform almost two acres at Theobalds Farmhouse into 14 distinctive garden areas and why a garden should never stand still.
We had the pleasure of talking to award-winning designer Katrina Kieffer-Wells from Earth Garden Designs about her process, the gardens that have inspired her and how she uses structural forms and elements in her designs.
Sam Plant from Warwickshire based Plantology talks to us about creating a relationship between our homes and gardens, elements he includes in his designs and how to balance structure, planting and focal points within a garden’s design.
We had the pleasure of talking to Shelley Rand from Whitehouse Cottages in Essex about her eclectic approach to planting and what inspires her and how to create a garden full of botanical and architectural surprises.
Chatting to NGS participants, Steve Cale and Shireen Joshi, from West Yorkshire about their gardening journey, use of structural forms to create focal points and the importance of environmental factors as part of the planting process.
We had the pleasure of chatting to Somerset-based Simon Land from Simon Land Gardens about his interesting journey into the world of garden design, the importance of winter interest in a garden and creating year-round structure.
Speaking to Angela Hayler from the award-winning community garden ‘The Wonky Garden’ in Widnes, Cheshire about their community garden and health hub, how it has evolved with the support of their volunteers and their plans for the future.
Julia Faulconbridge talks to us about the inspiration behind her garden, the features that give it its own sense of character and identity ideas on how to create a garden with atmosphere and emotional connection.
National Garden Scheme participants AnnMarie and Andrew Swift talked to us about their lush green space in the West Midlands and the importance of creating a wildlife ecosystem.
Wojciech Perz from Bristol based Green Point Garden Design talks to us about his journey into garden design, his love of creating gardens as an extension of his client’s homes and blending nature with man-made structural forms.
Mark Wainwright from Lucy Frank Garden Design and Landscaping took some time out of his schedule to chat to us about what inspired him to become a garden designer and creating intimate garden ‘zones’.
We had the pleasure of chatting to Lynn Cordall from Lynn Cordall Landscapes about what inspired her career change after 30 years in the corporate sector, impacts of a changing climate on garden design and creating structure in her designs.
We had the privilege of chatting to Cameron Murray from Derian House Children's Hospice about the important role its gardens and outdoor spaces play in supporting children, young people, families and staff.
Landscape architect Nicola Phillips shares her thoughts on the childhood experiences that inspired her career, the importance of connecting indoor and outdoor spaces, and creating gardens that bring people together.
Peregrine Massey from Boldshaves in Kent shares his thoughts on transforming a largely neglected garden into a series of distinctive garden spaces and why gardening is a continuous process rather than something that can ever truly be finished.
RHS Partner Garden and 2024 regional award winner, Christina Shand from Dyffryn Fernant in Pembrokeshire, shares her thoughts on finding creative expression through gardening and working with the natural landscape.