Gardens Illustrated Magazine February 2022

As we come to late winter and get the first glimpses of spring, it’s a time of promise and renewed optimism for our gardens, and, perhaps, the greater world beyond them too. There is something about getting organised for the growing year – tidying up the shed and the garden, preparing tools and sorting out the seed selection – that lifts the spirits and kick-starts a sense of hope about the future. To inspire you further, this issue we are celebrating the best of the season, with visits to the private garden of renowned nurserywoman Elizabeth Strangman, whose spring selection includes her collection of self-bred hellebores (page 34); the plot of a snowdrop enthusiast who likes to grow her Galanthus ‘free range’ in her garden (page 76); and Woottens of Wenhaston…

Tom Coward Tom begins his new series of monthly plant suggestions, page 24. “I have tried to select a variety of plants showing how we garden at Gravetye Manor. I hope you enjoy them.” Mary Keen Mary learns about auriculas, page 40. “I have loved and grown auriculas for years, so it was pure pleasure to write about the Woottens’ collection of my favourite flowers.” Sabrina Rothe Sabrina photographs galanthophile Anne Repnow’s garden, page 76. “Early bloomers and evergreens are perfectly assembled. A beautiful mix of delicate spring colours with the white heads of snowdrops.”…

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…

The tour starts with a visit to Holker Hall and its 24-acre garden comprising yew hedging, rose garden and woodland with conifers from around the world. We travel on to The Lakeside Hotel on the southern shore of lake Windermere, our base for three nights. We’ll also visit Levens Hall, which has the the most famous topiary garden in England, installed between 1689-1712 by the Frenchman Guillaume Beaumont, gardener to King James II. There will be lots to see in the garden at Yewbarrow House overlooking Morecambe Bay, which has a walled kitchen garden, an Italian garden, gravel garden and sculpture garden, and we will also take a look at Dan Pearson’s recent project at Lowther Castle, where his design has reinterpreted the historic gardens. We visit the fell-side garden…

The tour starts with a visit to the contemporary gardens of Tokachi Millennium Forest, designed by Dan Pearson and situated on Japan’s most northerly island, Hokkaido. We’ll learn about the spirit of nature and sense of place from head gardener Midori Shintani, as well as enjoying a cultural workshop and foraged lunch prepared by the gardeners. We’ll also study the stunning autumn flora of the nearby mountains. Then we transfer to Honshu, Japan’s mainland, to delve into the traditional gardens, culture and the unforgettable architecture of Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Nara. We’ll meet with the gardeners of the Chion-in Temple who will demonstrate the fine art of niwaki pruning and offer advice on the tools they use. We’ll also discover both renowned gardens and lesser-known, hidden cultural gems, such as…

Beauty in blooms Costa Rica is home to an amazing array of plant life, including orchids, and the country’s flora and fauna is the theme for this year’s Kew Orchid Festival. Returning after last year’s forced break, the annual event at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, will take place from 5 February to 6 March. The Princess of Wales Conservatory will be filled with plant displays that capture the wonders of this biodiversity hotspot, from the tropical dry forest of the north Pacific to the rainforests of the southern coastline. The glasshouse pond will be filled with orchids and bromeliads. kew.org JEFF EDEN, INES STUART DAVIDSON / RBG KEW…