• Nantybedd Garden, Forest Coal Pit
• Private garden – Cwmyoy
• Rose Border – National Trust Mottisfont
• Sunflowers – Somerset Lavender Farm
• Catkins – Chew Valley Lake, Bristol
• Ferns – University of Bristol Botanic Garden
• Private garden – Cwmyoy
• Walled garden – National Trust Tyntesfield, Somerset
• Cotinus – National Trust Tyntesfield, Somerset
• Tulips – Victoria Park, Bristol
• Cotinus – National Trust Tyntesfield, Somerset
• Bryans Ground – Stapleton, Herefordshire
• Border – Dyrham Park
• Blossom – St George’s Park, Bristol
• Kale leaves
• Blossom – my garden

I wasn’t one of those children who grew up with a passion for gardening. In fact my memories of our garden as a child are limited to various ‘incidents.’ As a toddler, literally following in the footsteps of my dad, assiduously removing the onion sets as he planted them. Having to rescue my pet rabbits who were continuously burrowing out of their run and raiding the asparagus patch. Picking the heads off valerian flowers and making patterns with the petals along the garden paths. Running naked through the sprinkler in the summer droughts. You know, that kind of thing.

It wasn’t until I had my own garden in my 20s that I developed a real interest. It was enough to inspire me to study for my Royal Horticultural Society’s General Certificate in Horticulture for which I achieved a top 10 result in the country (note: that’s not percent, that’s people and no, I’m not a bit proud!!!) I particularly enjoyed the detailed studies we made of the various plant species in the college’s beautiful walled garden and I can recall all the latin names. This really gave me a passion for plants and for continuously expanding my knowledge of varieties.

I worked in various gardens after qualifying – the National Trust’s Croft Castle, Westonbury Mill Water Garden and for Rosemary Banks of Hergest Croft, learning the trade so to speak. I also had my own little ’round’ attending to pensioner’s gardens and did some garden design work, including designing a sensory garden for Starlight Children’s foundation. Gardening is physically hard work however and also seasonal so I found myself having to get a year round job which unfortunately, took over.

My gardening is now mainly limited to my own city patch, where I produce all our vegetables. Currently we are working our way through rather a large number of brukale plants (I still lack faith every time I plant a seed or seedling, that anything will grow – invariably every single one does…) Hence the reason I complain every summer, when I have 10 gargantuan courgette plants and have to consume courgettes at every meal. I also take cuttings in the same manner, invariably making too many ‘in case some fail.’ Needless to say our conservatory is full to bursting with things I have propagated – tuberous begonias, pelargoniums, prayer plants, tradescantia and the dreaded money plant – crassula ovata (anyone who visits is offered one of these, most people try to escape without one!) You have been warned!

Anyway… this collection of photos are mainly from various public gardens that I have visited over the years. This is one of my greatest pleasures, my main reason for national trust membership and something I always make great plans for on the arrival of Spring. I hope you enjoy them!