Favourite garden The ‘Ditch’ at Dan Pearson and Huw Morgan’s Hillside garden captured me from my first visit. It’s the perfect encapsulation of embracing weeds, while still steering land to be biodiverse and bountiful. Also, the grasses at Le Jardin Plume in France, where a sharply cut path only accentuates the wildness. And I’d be remiss to not mention Great Dixter, where the flamboyant borders and rich meadows are only outdone by the community.
Most valuable training I’ve always learned on the job, but when I first moved to the UK I started working in the Great Dixter Nursery where the atmosphere is all study. I learned so much every day and am so thankful for that time. Among many lessons, the nursery manager Michael Morphy taught me to look at propagation through the lens of how plants reproduce in the wild.
When I first moved to the UK I started working in the Great Dixter Nursery where the atmosphere is all study
Dream plant destination Seeing plants growing in their natural environments, within a landscape, is so important. I’ve travelled with a group to the Balkans to study ecology and drought resistance, and we plan to go back this spring. I also dream of seeing hay meadows in Romania.
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Favourite planting style I like when gardens are more about editing than design – self-seeded, loose, native and messy. At the same time, I do want to see the hand of the gardener in the garden, tending. Highly regarded ‘wild’ spaces often have thoughtful human presence.
Favourite ‘weed’ Most of my favourite plants are weedy. I love plants that grow wildly and abundantly.
Biggest challenge facing gardeners today Witnessing the climate crisis first hand takes a heavy toll on our mental health and is our biggest collective challenge. When you love plants and green spaces it can be hard to not be disheartened.
One easy way to be more sustainable Be messy, make piles, be a bit rough and then, when the time comes, be okay with a strong intervention. I still struggle with the last part – but diversity is dependent on disruption.
Diversity is dependent on disruption
My guiding principles I think having a real reverence and respect for plants is foundational to good gardening. We need to act in partnership with the plants and ecology and not assert dominance over our plots.
Career goals I’d love to be growing plants for restoration projects. There are ways for us to put humans into rewilding efforts and I could see wild-seed collecting and then returning plants back to the landscape. That and going back to my roots and growing vegetables again.
Instagram @daniel.james.co
