Where it all began

The short story

I studied horticulture at college after developing a keen interest in gardening while a teenager. As part of my course, I did a one year placement with the National Trust, working alongside very experienced gardeners, and learning a lot from them.

Following that, I started my own gardening business, and over the course of the next 20 years, specialised more and more in pruning and topiary, as my experience grew. I now have a regular client base and work in some really beautiful gardens, that I have grown very fond of over the years. Occasionally I take on new projects when they interest me and I have time.

The long story

I remember when I was a small child, seeing on the wall of a local news section in a supermarket, a photo of an old man sitting proudly in a topiary armchair he had spent the last 20 years growing. He had carefully trained a tree into the shape he wanted year after year. Until it was strong enough to take his weight. Why did he do this? Just for fun. In the photo he looked happy and proud of his achievement.

I aspire to be him. I love gardening, I love my job so much. It makes me happy. And at the end of each day, I want to feel proud of the gardens I care for. And why not have fun along the way too? If you have ever taken a moment to stop in mid summer and watch two butterflies having a dog fight in the air, you will realise nature has a sense of humour.

One of my customers breed dogs, therefore in their garden they have a giant green dog guarding their driveway. Everyone who sees him always smile.

Often, while clipping round topiary balls, I will first do a little emoji. It will only be there for a few minutes until I clip the ball all over, but now it has become tradition, my customers save up suggestions of what they want me to do, so they can take photos to send to their friends. Why? It makes people happy.

Longer term topiary can take decades to do. Plants won’t grow overnight into the shape we want. It takes patience and persistence.

But when I am old, I want to sit back in my figurative living armchair and know that every minute was worth it.