You may think you have seen everything after many, many seasons of gardening, or you may be trying to transform your very first patch of earth, but whatever your situation, it’s probably clear by now that you will never know it all when it comes to plants and growing – gardening is a life-long learning experience.
The most interesting ideas can often come from those who are relatively new to something - not yet indoctrinated into the way things should be done, they can offer a fresh perspective and overcome common obstacles in exciting ways. So we asked the latest group of young gardeners and designers who have found success in the industry what pieces of advice they’d like to give other gardeners. Here’s what they said.
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Start small
There’s no pressure to throw yourself in at the deep end if you are new to gardening, says landscaper Anna McLoughlin, who through her role with Landform Consultants has got to work on Chelsea Flower Show gardens as well as private residential spaces.
“Don’t overwhelm yourself at the beginning. Just enjoy the journey and as you start to build your knowledge you can try more and more things.”
Understand the basics
One of the best things you can do is to figure out the basics of your growing space as everything comes from there, says Wiltshire-based cut-flower grower Sophia Gray. “Understand your space and growing conditions, sunlight, soil, exposure and pests.”
Learn your plants
It’s also important to continually bone up on your horticultural knowledge. According to gardener Luke Senior, who works at Great Dixter, the best place to find information and ideas is usually online.
“Don’t overwhelm yourself at the beginning. Just enjoy the journey and as you start to build your knowledge you can try more and more things.” Landscaper Anna McLoughlin
Find the free money
For those pursuing a career in gardening, Harry Baldwin, head gardener at The Newt in Somerset, recommends making the most of the many horticultural bursaries, grants and scholarships that are available from organisations like the RHS and the Merlin Trust, to learn and travel. “Not many industries have these!”
Failure is fine
“Celebrate failures, they teach more than success,” the Newt’s Harry Baldwin adds. This is a mantra shared by many of the young gardeners and horticulturists. “Don’t let past fails or mistakes get you down,” landscaper Anna McLoughlin says. “If something doesn’t work, just try again.”
“Failure is part of the process!” insists Tom Leonard, AKA The Drag Queen Gardener. “Even the experts mess up (trust me, I’ve been there).”
Slow down
Learning from your mistakes is one thing – but remembering these key lessons is something else entirely. So, many gardeners like to record their findings as they go.
“Document what you see,” advises gardener Holly Doyle, who has just finished a year as Tresco Abbey Gardens scholar. “Notes and photos help with retention and it’s so handy to be able to look back.”
Cultural gardener Carmen Sheridan from RBG Kew’s garden Wakehurst in Sussex agrees. “While it’s easy to get consumed by an endless list of gardening tasks, it’s important to find the time to slow down and pay attention to the garden,” she says.
Build a network
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the amount of information out there, but there are plenty of opportunities to meet other gardeners and learn from different environments.
Mattie O’Callaghan, who just finished a year as horticultural trainee at the Garden Museum in London, advises making the effort to connect to collective resources. “Gardening can sometimes be isolating and lonely. Sharing plants, materials and support helps us through the more difficult times.”
“Connect with other gardeners and visit other gardens, events and talks – feed inspiration, like mulch for your brain!” recommends Carmen Sheridan.
“Celebrate failures, they teach more than success,” the Newt’s Harry Baldwin
Use the “two Fs”
When it comes to creating a beautiful space, Ashleigh Aylett, RHS Young Designer of the Year 2024, has two vital elements she always considers. “Let foliage do the heavy lifting. Flowers are fleeting but textural foliage can provide interest all season and help a planting feel softened, domestic and loose,” she says.
“And 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.”
Diversity is key
We all have our favourite plants, but if you want an interesting garden, diversity is key. Great Dixter’s Luke Senior recommends: “Use plants from every plant group – grasses, shrubs, self-seeders and bulbs.”
As well as adding visual interest, prioritising variety is great for insects and a useful exercise when it comes to boosting knowledge and understanding which plants grow well together in a space.
It’s not all about looks
Most of these budding hort stars agree that wildlife is one element we should all be considering. “Learn to garden more holistically and not just for aesthetics,” Luke Senior urges gardeners. “There’s no shame in some general untidiness, which is great for wildlife.”
Freelance gardener and budding floral artist Chatu Madhvani also recommends working towards a “closed-loop approach”, composting and reusing garden ‘waste’. “As well as clear wildlife benefits, dead and decaying material evokes a natural space in all the seasons. It is also very beautiful!”
“Gardening can sometimes be isolating and lonely. Sharing plants, materials and support helps us through the more difficult times.” Mattie O’Callaghan, horticultural trainee at the Garden Museum in London
Invest in the best
It can be tempting to buy the least expensive, and most readily available tools – but carefully selecting more premium options often make the job easier and could save money in the long run.
Millie Souter, head gardener at Tom Stuart-Smith’s Plant Library at Serge Hill, puts it simply: “Use good-quality tools and look after them.”
Be intentional
“Design is, at its heart, a form of storytelling: every path, view and material choice should be there for a reason,” says designer Ashleigh Aylett. That’s why gardening intentionally is vital.
“Question what you’re doing and why,” says Holly Doyle. “Being considerate in your work makes it more meaningful, and way more exciting.”
Luke Senior urges gardeners. “There’s no shame in some general untidiness, which is great for wildlife.”
To help stay aligned with your values, “think about what qualities you want to bring to this relationship,” suggests Carmen Sheridan.
Be generous
As many of horticulture’s youngest up and comers will know, breaking into the industry can be tough, and being generous with information and insight really makes a difference.
“Share all your knowledge,” urges flower farmer Roisin Taylor. “Competition serves no one, but community allows us to thrive in a changing environment.”
Remember to enjoy it
If you start to feel overwhelmed, remember why you started out on your gardening journey in the first place. “Don’t lose sight of why you garden – it’s supposed to bring you joy, not feel like another chore on your to-do list. Don’t forget to sit back and enjoy it!” says The Drag Queen Gardener, Tom Leonard. “Find the best view of your garden, plop a comfy chair down and take in all your hard work. You deserve it!”
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