We Ask The Garden Designer What Inspires Him, What Niggles Him And What He Can't Live Without In The Garden
What could your designs never be complete without?
Plenty of aromatic plants and comfortable seating nearby or, ideally, a hammock to fall asleep in. The cotton rope hammock, below, from £46, can be hung between two trees or from the Adagio FSC hardwood frame, which costs £100. Both are available from Handmade Hammocks, (01557) 060000; handmadehammocks.co.uk
Who or what is your most abiding inspiration?
The ever-changing seasons.
Which garden do you find irresistible?
Great Dixter in East Sussex is a unique garden, where one man –
the late Christopher Lloyd, right – worked for his entire adult life with unmatchable passion and flair. It is open from April to October; for details, call (01797) 252878; greatdixter.co.uk
What is your most consuming gardening passion?
My business, Modular Garden, as it takes up all of my time. My aim is to make well-designed, well-constructed and well-planted gardens accessible and affordable to a wider range of people than they were in the past.
Who is your favourite supplier?
Stihl power tools – I love the Combisystem from £350, which uses one engine to drive a variety of tools, such as a chainsaw or hedge trimmers, and which also packs away easily. For further details, call 0800 137574 and quote H4P06, stihl.co.uk.
What are your favourite plants and trees?
My favourite trees are Sorbus hupehesis and Japanese maples. Euphorbia, such as E. wulfenii, with foliage, below left and flowers, right, are wonderful. For perennials, I would go for Verbena bonariensis and Melianthus major.
If you could only use one tool what would it be?
My stainless-steel spade, which is similar to the spade shown here.
