Fresh Eyes Garden Consultation
I love meeting people, and I love talking about plants and gardens, sharing ideas and helping to enthuse people to make the most of their space.
All gardens and gardeners reach a point where they might need fresh eyes, sometimes this is a small edit or a shuffle of plants. Sometimes this is an overhaul. Often it is hard to see it yourself when you live with it.
I offer a consultation process where we look at your garden together with fresh eyes. We can chat about what works for you and what doesn’t, what you like and don’t like, what you might like to achieve, how to make the garden work harder for you by choosing resilient plants for the space.
What is it all about?
What do you get?
Me in your garden for a couple of hours talking through different ideas with you. This is followed up with a written document full of first impression ideas, notes and images, a palette of fresh solutions, possible plants and planting suggestions.
And some renewed enthusiasm for your garden delivered in a very friendly, laid back style.
From this first consultation it is then possible to build in planting plans, maintenance plans, plant supply, pruning workshops, gardening work etc
If this sounds like something that you might like to book, please get in touch. I really look forward to hearing from you
One time investment | £250
Gertrude Jekyll Expert |
Gertrude Jekyll's gravestone is carved with her name and dates (1843-1932) and with the words
Artist | Gardener | Craftswoman
Miss Jekyll and I both studied art and horticulture, so perhaps we are already kindred spirits?
I have been lucky enough to experience working in 3 gardens designed by Gertrude Jekyll and have visited, explored and studied many more, absorbing them from the ground up.
To gain experience, and in order to try and step into the mind of Gertrude, I have read many of her books and articles, visited many of her remaining gardens, and listened to lectures about her and her work. These have all helped me to gain a feel for the woman that she was but also to understand her views on the use of colour, texture and form within the garden.
Jekyll was supremely talented in the way that she put plants together to harmonise or compliment each other. This is part of my fascination with her. I really enjoyed all the links between art and landscape, and her careful placing of plants to create atmosphere and emotion.
I am also really interested in my hero as a woman in that era and I very much admire her tenacity, strength, imagination, as well as her love of cats!
What is it all about?
What do you get?
If you are interested in finding out more about this fascinating woman and the gardening legacy that she left, please get in touch. I can offer a range of lectures, tours, and workshops.
Border Design
My career has always been in art, design, and horticulture. This blend of experience lends itself easily to creating beautiful borders for your outdoor space.
I am a colourist, I love putting colour together, but also I have a good eye for texture, shape and form. My knowledge of plants means that I can bring all of this together for a border that looks good, providing interest throughout the whole season. I like to create a rich tapestry of plants that will provide structure and colour and enhance borders of all sizes.
will make sure that the plants chosen will thrive in your soil and local conditions. I always choose resilient, wildlife friendly plants and will create borders that are suitable for the type of garden that you’d like and the type of gardener that you are.
What is it all about?
What do you get?
This always starts with an initial conversation with you so that I have a clear understanding of your needs and expectations. All designs will be comprehensive and readable, with plant information provided.
From here you can either take the design and create the border yourself, or I can help you to source the plants and carry out the planting.
And of course I am always happy to revisit and maintain or offer more advice going forward.
Together we can make a beautiful garden.
If this sounds like something that you might like to book, please get in touch. I really look forward to hearing from you
Garden Talks & Lectures
I could talk about plants and gardens all day. I love sharing my energy and enthusiasm and helping to inspire others.
All the talks and lectures are based on 20 years of hands-on experience, observation, and education.
I have presented talks at Yeo Valley Organic Garden, Charleston farmhouse, across North East USA, Oxford University, Taunton Flower Show, the Bath and West show, and on webinars for the Lutyens Trust, Lutyens Trust America, and the Garden Masterclass and I really enjoy it.
What is it all about?
What do you get?
If you are organising an event for an educational group, a garden club, WI, U3A, or any other group looking for an entertaining speaker, I offer a range of garden talks. They are all beautifully illustrated, and I come with all my own equipment so that it is totally hassle free for you.
Current talks include:
Gertrude Jekyll. Her life, her creativity, her colour theory, and her influence on gardens and how we garden today.
Cottage gardens- their history, their style, how to choose plants and design your own.
A virtual tour of the history and garden design of Hestercombe gardens, Somerset. Learn about how these three eras of garden design make Hestercombe one of the most fantastic gardens to visit.
The science of colour theory. How colours work together, and how to use colour in the garden to create mood and atmosphere.
Nature based gardening. How to make room for nature in your garden, choosing plants that promote wildlife, how to create beautiful spaces where wildlife comes first
The artist's garden. Exploring gardening as an art form and looking at artists' gardens to see how they might differ. This talk looks at the overlap between art and horticulture and why it is important. We look at artists' gardens and see how their garden influences their work and vice versa.
These are all delivered in a very friendly, laid back style, with a PowerPoint and plenty of time for questions at the end.
If this sounds like something that your garden club/group might like to book, please get in touch
Recent and Upcoming Talks
8th January 26.
Congresbury Garden Club.
A virtual tour of the history and design of Hestercombe Gardens.
13th January 26.
Montacute Garden Club.
Gertrude Jekyll and her influence on gardening.
20th January 26.
North Perrot and Hazelbury Garden Club.
Gertrude Jekyll and her influence on gardening.
8th- 15th February 26.
In The Footsteps of Giants. Curated by the Garden Masterclass. Touring the North East USA. Speaking at North East Botanic Garden. Old Westbury Garden. Sag Harbour Theatre. Swarthmore College. Visit www.gardenmasterclass.org for details.
21st February 26.
Shepton Snowdrop Festival. In conversation with Abigail Willis, plus Gardeners Question Time panel. Visit sheptonsnowdrops.org.uk for details.
4th March 26.
West Pennard Garden Club.
Cottage gardens, and how to get the look.
5th March 26.
Wiveliscombe Garden Club.
Gertrude Jekyll and her influence on gardening.
9th April 26.
Chew Valley Garden Club.
A virtual tour of the history and design of Hestercombe Garden.
15th April 26.
Colyton and District Garden Society.
Gertrude Jekyll and her influence on gardening.
