contemporary planting

Planting styles have come a long way during the last ten years, with a discovery of new ways of using plants, and of many new varieties. Perennials are no longer confined to the herbaceous border but are used in swathes and drifts, intermingled with grasses, herbs and shrubs. Nature is my inspiration and careful observation of different plant communities for specific conditions is the rule. Why try and make acid loving plants grow on chalk downland, when there is a whole Mediterranean flora we can use? Likewise, in a wet Surrey woodland garden, there is no point in trying to grow drought loving plants!

I trial many shrubs, grasses and perennials in my own garden and until recently had my own small nursery, where I would grow many species and supply plants to my clients. I don't do that now, but this means I now have extra space for new borders and the experimenting goes on!

The right plants will make or break a garden. Great structure is unfulfilled without great planting. Creative use of plants can make a space feel truly sublime.