Earliest garden or gardening memory Running wild through the local woods as a child, collecting things from the forest floor and disappearing among the trees. What has stayed with me is the dappled light through the layered canopy, and that sense of immersion shapes the way I approach design today.
First plant love Tomatoes, without question. The smell of tomato vines on a sunny afternoon in the greenhouse is my favourite scent in the world; it instantly brings me pure joy. Nothing beats my first home-grown tomato of the season.
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Who has inspired your career the most? Beth Chatto was the first to show me that aesthetics and ecology are inseparable: ‘right plant, right place’ is still my guiding principle. More recently, Andrew Duff’s words, “We don’t control plants; they control us”, have really stayed with me.
Favourite garden or landscape that’s influenced you? The Jardin Majorelle in Marrakesh has had a huge influence on me. I was captivated by how sculptural the planting was and how colour was applied to define space.
I’m drawn towards a wild, relaxed planting palette.
Three most worthwhile design tips Design is, at its heart, a form of storytelling: every path, view and material choice should be there for a reason. Few places capture this as beautifully as the Garden of Ninfa in Italy, where thoughtfully composed planting layers over medieval ruins. Let foliage do the heavy lifting.
Flowers are fleeting but textural foliage can provide interest all season and help a planting feel softened and loose. Never overlook scent. Fragrance can be one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to make a space memorable. I love placing aromatic plants near seating.
It doesn’t have to be elaborate –something as unassuming as Lavandula x intermedia ‘Fragrant Memories’ will delight each time your hand brushes its leaves while you rest on a bench.
The smell of tomato vines on a sunny afternoon in the greenhouse is my favourite scent in the world; it instantly brings me pure joy.
Most valuable training Nothing has been more valuable than the muddy hours I spent volunteering. Learning from seasoned gardeners, with their experience and deep understanding, was invaluable.
Favourite planting style I’m drawn towards a wild, relaxed planting palette. I’m captivated by rich textures; threading tactile foliage and varied forms through the scheme to make the space feel inviting, soft and engaging in every season.
Source your plants from small, local nurseries, ideally that grow from seed or cuttings in the UK. Those plants are more likely to thrive.
Biggest challenge facing gardeners today For me, it’s the rise of invasive pests and diseases brought in by imported plants. Ash dieback is well known, but there are many others, which is concerning. I was lucky enough to work with the Woodland Trust on a show garden last year to highlight this, and it’s an issue close to my heart.
One easy way to be more sustainable Source your plants from small, local nurseries, ideally that grow from seed or cuttings in the UK. Not only are those plants more likely to thrive in your local conditions, but it also reduces the biosecurity risks of importing pests and diseases.
Website ashleighaylett.co.uk