The Garden Editor

12/06/2026

Little sneak preview of this Edited garden ...and the before shot

"We are sitting in our tranquil garden as I write, listening to the birds and watching the sun setting through the trees.

Thank you for your help in turning our thoughts into reality."

11/06/2026

We're delighted that we will be part of this celebration of flowers at Whitchurch Silk Mill next week. Ticket link in the comments!

Left-Field Flowers, Nancy Walker and I are working on an installation celebrating locally, sustainably grown flowers that are not only good for your eyes, but good for the planet too.

Watch out too for our specially sourced box provided by Test Valley Men's Shed. Sustainability is at the heart of what we do, whether that's supporting heritage crafts, local community groups or in our plant choices.

We'd love for you to pop over and join us.

09/06/2026

"Take flowers. Leave pot."

In a week of unexpected caring responsibilities, this small gesture of generosity from an unknown gardener was exactly what I needed. Small acts of sharing might be tiny in size, but mighty in impact.

Never underestimate what one single flower can do - either for yourself, or for someone else.

02/06/2026

01/06/2026

I'm quoted in this article (link in comments of original post) on gardening "sins".

Do you recognise any in your garden? Get in touch if so, and see how we can help..

Have you ever had any problems with your garden neighbours? 😭

📸 Getty / blueskyinmypocket

01/06/2026

Star Jasmine

Tracheospermum jasminoides

Do you know that thing when a scent just pulls you back somewhere? Like a hook has been put in your heart and transported you back to a different place?

One thing I didn't have on my "Umbria list" was the smell of star jasmine everywhere I went. And this smell just transported me back to my very first pad in London, nearly 20 years ago. It was a tiny house with a star jasmine raggedly climbing up the front door.

But the smell of that star jasmine - the sweet, lingering scent into the evening- reminds me so much of my young self. I still didn't know a tomato plant from a dandelion but I was youthful, got curious about these lovely plants someone else had adorned the house with, and got stuck in.

And wow the star jasmines in Italy are Next Level. Great hope for climate resilience in the future. Vast hedges of gorgeous froth. Added to the notebook!

30/05/2026

Trundling round humble Umbria by increasingly small trains, mini metros and ferries..

A simple photo dump. Plants to follow!

25/05/2026

This week on Basingstoke Community Radio we'll be talking about those late May jobs to do in the garden and what to do right now to make sure your summer blooms perform at their best, as well as the key tasks to help Spring 2027 get off to a good start.

Listen live wherever you are on the planet at 10.30ish on Tuesday morning BST, or catchup later on the website.

24/05/2026

M O N O N O A W A R E

This Japanese phrase broadly means the "beautiful, sad awareness of impermanence." It describes the bittersweet emotion felt when witnessing the transient nature of life, beauty, and time—knowing that everything must eventually fade, which ironically makes the present moment deeply precious.

This is how I feel about plants that give you a fleeting beauty - like this bearded Irises in the peak of perfection. The analogy might be to that gorgeous Spring jacket which can only really be worn for 10 days of the year before it is either too cold or too warm for it.

While I love plants with long seasons of interest, there is always something magnificently transient about plants which have a "blink and you'll miss me" moment of high drama. And while the shards of the Iris will remain year round, having the odd plant which just makes your wait for their fleeting moment in the spotlight and then fade away gives shape and punctuation to the year.

Do you have any "Mono no aware" plants in your life?

21/05/2026

We'll be re-using the straw packaging on our client's raised veg beds.