I have been making gardens since 1998 and generally try to make them look like they have seeded themselves and always been.

Retaining existing trees, limiting hard surfaces and using local/reclaimed materials where possible; to create meandering pathways and seating areas, surrounded by multi-layered planting.

This “wild” style does require gardening, so I like to be involved in the ongoing process of making and editing, even if it’s just to assist for seasonal/yearly visits.

I love that gardens can be ‘living art’; increasing biodiversity and biophilia, not just aesthetic nourishment. It is so satisfying to see the life that appears when we create new habitats and care for them sensitively - especially when we add water; so I want everyone to have a pond or at least a birdbath.

I also tend to propose meadows and gravel gardens instead of traditional flower beds, because they have a higher density of flowers, life and drama for less work and water.

Once we have agreed the initial design, I work with your architect and builders or recommend contractors for any hardscaping/groundworks.

I then source the plants and lay them out intuitively, but I can create visuals, planting plans and mood boards if the budget allows.

I love to be involved with the ongoing gardening to selectively edit and add/encourage more layers over time.

I don’t use the words “garden maintenance”, which devalue the creative craft of gardening - a generative process, not “maintaining” something static.

I have a few freelance gardeners who help me, so that we can stay involved with lot’s of gardens. I still go to London every other week and am happy to travel for interesting projects - especially if your garden is beside a surfing beach.

I’m very grateful to receive all my work through “word of mouth”, but maybe do need to be more proactive now that we have moved west - we are renting a cottage on a farm, that we call “Chooksbury near Tewkesbury”, thanks to our lockdown hens.