How would you describe your style of landscape design?
It's ultimately about paying attention. To what's already there, to what the client wants, to how a place is making me feel when I'm in it. Then it's about finding the bits that already have something and turning those up. There are an infinite number of ways you could design any garden, so you have to follow your nose a bit and I suppose my clients trust that my nose leads to creating an emotive experience.
To what extent do you adhere to the longstanding traditions of landscape design versus challenging the status quo?
I'm definitely not a radical, but I'm not traditional either. It's just not something I think about. What steers me is my understanding of what makes a garden create an experience that's meaningful. I know what I feel when gardens impact me, so I'm just trying to generate that using whatever works and is responsive to that landscape.
What are the common features of all great gardens?
Atmosphere, drama & continuity.
What three plants should every person consider adding to their garden?
Cardamine quiquefolia, Thalictrum ‘Splendide’, Echinacea pallida.
Quick Fire Five
Favourite restaurant: Rice & Things, Bristol
Favourite holiday destination:Any part of the UK with big landscapes. Cornwall, Brecon in Wales, Islay.
Favourite musician: JJ Cale
Prize possession: When I gardened in Japan for a year I got these steel gardening scissors. Picking them up takes me back there a bit and that’s always a special feeling.
Biggest indulgence: Buying plants
