My Garden

It seemed like a good idea at the time … a phrase I find myself using with increasing regularity since taking on the task of designing three show gardens for Quilted Velvet. Chelsea alone would be a challenge but to take on Hampton Court and Tatton Park is bordering on the insane. That said, after exhibiting... Read more..

If you see humanity as a broad spectrum, with malevolent monsters (can’t think of any off hand!) at one extreme and saint like figures at the other, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and Sir Bob spring to mind, then what we deal with every day are the many shades of grey in between. You don’t expect to be... Read more..

I have long held the view that a great deal can be told about people and organisations by examining their lavatorial arrangements. This is not a view I have arrived at hastily or without a great deal of research! For example, the lavatories at my secondary school were totally in keeping with my overall... Read more..

There are some things in life that only those who have actually experienced them can truly comprehend. Amongst these I would imagine looking at the Earth from space, being the Queen, and becoming a mother, ouch! One that I don’t have to imagine is designing a garden for Chelsea. If you add to this that... Read more..

With less than a week before we arrive on site it’s a case of checking and double checking all the plans. No matter how many times I go over the build schedule I still feel there’s something I have forgotten. You try to think of everything, knowing full well that something unexpected will come along... Read more..

There is usually a point in a large project when the full gravity of the undertaking hits home. This time it’s been a bit different. Perhaps waves would be a good description; small waves of concern interspersed with larger waves of panic, all wrapped up in an extremely thin veneer of total confidence... Read more..

We started on Friday; marking out and then digging out, followed by setting out and on Saturday afternoon we came out of the ground. As I can’t think of any more outs, well not appropriate ones anyway, I shall now talk about the weather. The Met office told us on Thursday that it would be fine and dry... Read more..

I hope I don’t live to regret saying this, but it feels like we are turning a corner. As usually happens at a certain stage of a project, I start to see encouraging glimpses of the vision that until now has only existed in my head. These glimpses have given me and the Hortus infinitus team a noticeable... Read more..

Well, rather a lot of the former and a small glimmer of the latter. Just after posting my last blog, rashly entitled Turning the Corner, my neck and shoulder seized up; a consequence of a minor cordyline-induced injury and a considerable amount of tension. Can’t think what came over me, after all it... Read more..

One week to go before we start at Hampton Court. My shoulder is slowly improving but a long way from its usual efficient self. The last few days have been good for resting without being bored. Several meetings and a visit to Future Gardens, which was interesting and a subject I may well return to at... Read more..