Troy Scott Smith
Head gardener
Troy Scott Smith is head gardener at Sissinghurst as well as a garden writer, speaker, lecturer and RHS Floral Committee member.
Recent articles by Troy Scott Smith
Sissinghurst head gardener Troy Scott Smith on his vision for the garden
In 1930, the writer Vita Sackville-West and her diplomat husband Harold Nicolson bought an old farm in Kent and set about creating a garden that has become one of the best loved and most visited in the world. In the lead-up to the garden's centenary in 2030, head gardener Troy Scott Smith muses on the garden's enduring appeal - and outlines his vision for the garden. Images by John Campbell
Behind the scenes at Sissinghurst: springtime in the most-loved garden in the world
Sissinghurst’s head gardener Troy Scott Smith guides us through the jobs that he and his team do in spring. Images by John Campbell
How to prune wisteria
Wisteria needs to be pruned twice a year to keep it in good shape and to ensure abundant flowers. Here's how to do it. Photographs by Gavin Kingcome.
Siberian irises: how to grow
New breeding has intensified the colour range of Siberian irises. Head gardener Troy Scott Smith selects the best for brief but glorious flowering. Words Troy Scott Smith, photographs Dianna Jazwinski
Winter interest | Top roses for rosehips
A rosehip is the 'fruit’ of the rose, coming after the summer flowers and
offering vibrant colour in the winter garden. Discover the top roses to grow for rosehips and how to care for them to get the best display.
Roses from Sissinghurst: 15 of the best
Sissinghurst Castle is famous for its roses. Discover the rose cultivars that Vita Sackville-West grew there and find out more about them with head gardener Troy Scott-Smith. Photographs Rachel Warne.
Sowing biennials: how and when to sow and which to grow
Biennials bring colour to spring and summer borders - and are easy to grow from seed. Sissinghurst head gardener Troy Scott-Smith shows how to grow biennials and the best flowers to choose. Photographs Jason Ingram
Dan Pearson's reimagining of Lowther Castle
Around the ruins of Lowther Castle near Penrith in Cumbria, landscape designer Dan Pearson is reimagining 130 acres of gardens, with a 20-year plan. Words Try Scott-Smith, Photographs Claire Takacs
Discover the world of the perpetual carnation
Perpetual carnations were once hugely popular but have fallen out of fashion. Jim Marshall is on a mission to persuade gardeners to rediscover their charms. Words Troy Scott Smith. Photographs Jason Ingram.