Earliest gardening memory Following my green-fingered grandparents around their garden as a three- or four-year-old, watching them planting, weeding, deadheading – utterly fascinated by what they were doing.
Horticultural heroes Two that stand out are Graham Stuart Thomas, for his inspirational plantsmanship and keen observation, and Roy Lancaster, who has done so much to share his encyclopaedic knowledge and pass on the importance of doing so to the next generation of plantspeople.
Favourite garden John Massey’s garden at Ashwood in Staffordshire stands out as a masterclass in how to garden with good plants of every possible kind, to make something that is beautiful, engaging and chock-full of interest every single day of the year.
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Most valuable training Two intensive, thoroughly enjoyable formative years working, living and studying while on the Wisley Diploma, during which I met so many inspirational and influential people.
Dream plant destination A difficult choice – either Western China or the Drakensberg in South Africa, to start with…
Biggest challenge facing gardeners today The potential loss of the astonishing cultivated plant diversity that exists in UK gardens; there has never been a more critical time to share plant material far and wide, drawing attention to good plants and distributing them intelligently to guarantee their endurance in the face of the changing climate.
There has never been a more critical time to share plant material far and wide to guarantee the endurance of good plants
Favourite gardening resources? The Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs is an indispensable reference work. My copy is never far from my reach. The International Dendrology Society’s ‘Trees and Shrubs Online’ is also invaluable, not least as it is free for anyone to access, anywhere in the world, on the internet, and being updated all the time.
What’s the next big project you’ll be tackling? We are beginning to make several changes to the planting on the Rock Garden at Wisley – expanding the range of plants we are growing to broaden the horticultural appeal and interest, while making better use of different niches within this unsung area of the garden.
Instagram @jackjaldridge
With special thanks to RHS Garden Wisley where this portrait was taken.
