Each month I will be thinking about all things gardening from a garden designer’s perspective. Expect contemporary views mixed in with my environmental management background. This month I am asking the question, “Should we still be using peat in the garden?”   Read More

For the last year I've been deeply involved in a number of local design projects. I also interact with other garden design professionals, with whom ideas are shared and discussed. The topic of "being green" is often mooted and because it is embedded in my work ethos I felt you… Read More

I was asked recently to talk to a diverse group of interested people at the Hertford and Our Changing Climate (HACC) seminar on 25th Sept 2021. I spoke on topics including, "how green is my garden" and "top tips to tackle climate change". Because addressing climate change is so vital… Read More

You won’t find many garden designers who write about lichens. They are very important environmental indicators. They tell us whether the air is clean or polluted. They are particularly sensitive to sulphur dioxide gases. If you find lots of shrubby lichens, covering the bark and twigs on your garden trees… Read More

I like Magnolias. I like their fluffy, elegantly shaped tactile buds. They have beautiful flowers and they bring a garden to life. They have the most amazing tough petals that are silky to the touch. In evolutionary terms they are among the most ancient of flowers. Flowers first evolved about… Read More

Both Holly (Ilex) and Ivy (Hedera) have such wonderful foliage and berries, they really should be in every garden! Read More

To make your garden as productive as possible there are a few things that are relatively easy to do. I’ll be talking about raised beds, fruit trees, fruit bushes and canes. Read More

According to scientific records spring is getting earlier and autumn is getting later. Phenology is the study of natural cycles and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to our climate, plant and animal life. It interests climate change scientists because of the indications about global warming. Earlier and earlier appearances… Read More

I love snowdrops, you probably love snowdrops………..everyone seems to love a snowdrop! Whether on their own or en masse they are a beauty to behold. Along with Aconites they are one of the first flowers to appear in the new year. They cheer people up, they bring joy and… Read More

This month I discuss a trio of plants that might each be described as a weed.  Read More