About
Growing up and living in Shotley Gate in South Suffolk with my young family, I have spent my whole life working with plants. Since 2023 I have worked in Suffolk and North Essex as The Plans & Plants Man. With over 15 years experience beforehand learning and working at the famous Beth Chatto Gardens, I offer a friendly and affordable service, all year round.
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Experience
From a young age I worked on my Dad’s nursery and after leaving school at 16, I then spent the next 16 years learning and working at the famous Beth Chatto Gardens. Starting as an apprentice and eventually co-managing a team of 20+ staff. I did everything from looking after stock plants in the ground, through to plant propagation, selling plants onsite and online, and launching the border design service, completing over 200 designs.
A lifetime of being outside with plants, and the invaluable teaching from one of the greatest gardeners ever, Beth Chatto, means I have the knowledge, experience and skill set to help bring gardens to life. With advice, planting plans, maintenance plans, and planting, I can help ensure that the long-term plan for your garden is sustainable, and in doing so, help people realise that their gardens can become a space that benefits themselves and wildlife.
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Planting Style
The foundations for any design that I do is firstly based on Beth Chatto's 'right plant, right place' philosophy. Meaning that the conditions you have in your garden (soil type, aspect etc.) will ultimately dictate the palette of plants that can be used in order for your garden to thrive. Beyond that, I tend to lean towards a more naturalistic planting style, using trees and shrubs for structure, and a blend of perennials and grasses to create the style and feel that you're looking for. My knowledge of plants and what they require means I am able to take these plants and use them in whichever style you wish, to help create the garden you're after with year-round interest, whilst also benefitting wildlife too.
Drought-Resistant Planting
Living in the driest corner of the UK means that drought-resistant planting is becoming a style of gardening that more and more people are wanting to move towards. Not only does it mean you can save money on water, it is also a style that can bring a touch of the Mediterranean to East Anglia with plenty of colour and year-round interest. Free draining soil and a predominantly sunny site are non-negotiables for having your own drought-resistant garden as we have to use plants that are adapted to cope with these conditions. But providing you have that, you can use this style for back gardens, front gardens and even in practical spaces around driveways.
Shade-Loving Planting
If your garden is small and north-facing, or shaded considerably by trees or other buildings, you will benefit from having a woodland style, shade-loving planting. Whilst there isn't as much of a colour explosion in summer, you will find there is an abundance of spring flower and a lovely tapestry of foliage shapes and colours available to you, helping to create a calm and cooling garden. This style of planting can work in any sized space, whether it's a large open wooded area, or a narrow border beside a house, garage or fence.
Moisture-Loving & Pond Planting
Very few people in Suffolk or North Essex have a naturally wet and boggy garden, so this type of planting is not something I have to do often. However, one thing we can all do to encourage wildlife into our garden and increase the bio-diversity, is to put in a pond. Ensuring that the planting in and around it looks as lush and natural as possible, is something that is very satisfying when done nicely.
Large Herbaceous Planting
Large-scale prairie style planting uses lots of herbaceous perennials and grasses, and few trees or shrubs. It is something that can look truly spectacular from late spring right through until late winter, but requires having a big open space with deep borders in order to create the flow and rhythm that's needed to make a big impact. Texture and movement are important factors, so drifts of grasses amongst the varying heights and shapes of perennials are vital, as are the seedheads for magical frosty winter mornings against clear blue skies. This style of planting is also great for wildlife as a habitat and food source.
Meadow Planting
In summer, a rich and diverse native flower meadow is one of the most pleasing and soul-soothing sights that you could wish to see, and if you're patient, allowing it to grow, develop, and balance out as necessary, then you could look out at it every day. Native meadows have decreased in the UK by a staggering 97% in the last one hundred years with a devastating affect on insect and pollinator populations, so anything we can do to increase this habitat is vital for the positive future of our country. There are certain conditions and processes that need to be done in order to achieve the desired effect, but after two to three years, once particular species are sufficiently established, you will be set for years and years of having a positive impact on bio-diversity and wildlife in your garden.
