Gardens Illustrated Magazine April 2022

Green shoots and colourful flowers are much needed in our lives, and now that spring is in full swing, we can once more revel in gardens and plants galore. It’s Easter this month and for many this is the moment we venture into our gardens for any length of time and plan for the seasons ahead with a sense of optimism and intent. To help us nurture new shoots, we begin a new practical series with head gardener Benjamin Pope (page 24). His seasonal advice spans the kitchen, flower and ornamental gardens. Green is the colour when it comes to our cover garden. This small courtyard, designed by George Cullis (page 68), uses a palette of green tones, textures and plant types to enfold and soothe. On a larger scale, it…

Benjamin Pope Benjamin begins a new seasonal gardening series, page 24. “The seasons are what keep gardening fresh. I love how each month brings new plants to grow and produce to pick.” Cel Robertson Cel recommends plants for a cutting garden, page 86. “I loved choosing this selection of cut flowers; colour, texture and scent come together for a considered arrangement.” Joanna Kossak Joanna photographs a family-friendly garden, page 100. “While photographing this harmoniously connected space over two levels I felt I had as much fun as the kids playing around.”…

James Basson James lives in the South of France where he runs Scape Design, a practice specialising in low-maintenance and dry gardens. He is a fervent advocate for creating sustainable landscapes. The winner of four Chelsea Gold medals, he was awarded Best in Show in 2017. Fergus Garrett Fergus was appointed head gardener at Great Dixter by Christopher Lloyd in 1993. He is passionate about passing on his knowledge through student programmes at Dixter and worldwide lectures. He was awarded an RHS Associate of Honour in 2008 and an RHS Victoria Medal of Honour in 2019. Anna Pavord Anna’s books include her bestseller The Tulip and most recently Landskipping. For 30 years she was The Independent’s gardening correspondent. In 2000 the RHS awarded her the Veitch Memorial Medal. She lives and gardens in Dorset. Dan Pearson Dan…

Life works From intricate botanical illustrations of bromelaids found high in the Amazonian rain forest to stereographic panoramas of the New Forest in Hampshire, the 2022 RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show at the Saatchi Gallery in west London features a diverse range of images that capture the beauty of the natural world. Alongside paintings of garden favourites and macro photography, showing details such as tiny holly parachute fungi (Marasmius hudsonii), will be works that explore the ecological and economic significance of many familiar fruits and flowers. All entries for this annual exhibition, held in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society, go through a rigorous pre-selection process that assesses each work’s scientific accuracy, technical skill and aesthetic appeal. 9-29 April. saatchigallery.com JOHN SHEPHERD, LIBBY ELLIS, KONRAD COX, ANNIE CHEN / ALL SAATCHI…

Micro steps We can all feel a little powerless in the face of climate change, but focusing on tackling changes to your own garden’s microclimate can be less overwhelming. To emphasise the point, London’s Chelsea Physic Garden has declared a microclimate emergency based on its own experience. For more than ten years, its garden team has kept detailed records of weather patterns to help plan its gardening year, and these have chronicled a changing climate. “It used to be that the rain we collected would last us until late spring,” said head of plant collections Nell Jones. “Last year we ran out in early March.” As a response, the Physic Garden is encouraging us all to make small changes, such as collecting (more) rainwater, making compost or committing to going peat…

1 Magnolia Tour Join Harry Baldwin, head of horticulture at Borde Hill Garden in West Sussex for this guided tour of the garden’s magnolia collection. 5 April, 11am-12pm. Tour included in the garden admission of £10.50. Borde Hill Garden, Borde Hill Lane, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 1XP. Tel 01444 450326, bordehill.co.uk 2 Spring Flowering Perennials with Rosy Hardy Learn about spring-flowering perennials and how to include them in planting combinations in this talk by Rosy Hardy at her Hampshire nursery. The day, held in partnership with the RHS, will include a behind-the-scenes tour of the nursery. 6 April, 10.30am-2pm. £20. Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants, Priory Lane Nursery, Freefolk Priors, Whitchurch, Hampshire RG28 7FA. Tel 01256 896533, hardysplants.co.uk 3 Living Easter Wreath Get inspiration for an Easter wreath using living plants from the garden and…