Earliest gardening memory Helping my ouma and oupa water their garden in South Africa. The fruits of their labours – mangoes, pomegranates, figs – were abundant.
First plant love Papaver rhoeas, the common poppy. After the fields beside my childhood home were ploughed, they quickly turned into a sea of bright red.
Biggest inspiration My mum. She spends most of her spare time in the garden. I could see the joy it brought her, and her passion was clearly infectious.
Horticultural hero Gilles Clément, the French gardener-designer. I admire his principles and his concept of le jardin en mouvement – working with nature’s own processes rather than clinging to control.
You may also like:
- Harry Baldwin, head gardener at the Newt, on learning from failures and sustainable planting
- Alexander Hoyle: Kew-trained plantsman and designer
- Meet YouTuber, writer and horticulturist Huw Richards
- Meet the veg growers doing things differently
- Poppy Okotcha: Our gardens may be small but they are a patchwork quilt of opportunity
- An Interview with Sam Hickmott, the National Trust's youngest head gardener
Favourite garden Hermannshof in Weinheim, Germany, when it was managed by Cassian Schmidt – a masterclass in habitat-based planting with stunning examples of prairie, steppe and woodland schemes.
Three most worthwhile tips for every gardener Gardening is trial and error – failure is just another opportunity. Weeds are welcome. If you’re unsure what it is, let it grow; you might be pleasantly surprised. Share your observations, with clients, friends, family, even strangers.
Be creative, bold and ambitious. Ask questions, visit gardens, and take inspiration wherever you find it.
Favourite ‘weed’ Echium vulgare (viper’s bugloss). A stunning biennial that bees and butterflies adore, and one that thrives on a bit of disturbance.
Most valuable training Two years at the Eden Project gave me a great foundation. I’ve also been fortunate to gain experience with Tom Massey, Peter Korn and Tracy McQue, each of whom offered different insights.
Favourite planting style I’m drawn to tough, resilient plants that can thrive without fuss; I like to work with the conditions already on site rather than against them. My planting is naturalistic and painterly, with rhythm, structure, and plenty of seasonal change. I think first about habitat and foliage; colour and flowers follow naturally.
Gardening is still so overlooked, yet it has huge potential to positively impact people, communities and the planet.
Biggest challenge facing gardeners today Remaining positive on the front line of the climate crisis. I try to stay optimistic and focus on solutions. Change is already here – more floods, more drought – but we can adapt, design smarter and even turn challenges into opportunities.
Core principles Be creative, bold and ambitious. Ask questions, visit gardens, and take inspiration wherever you find it. Rules are there to be broken. Most importantly, listen, observe, and respect each space for its own personality – even the smallest garden holds many different conditions.
Career goals I’d love to see more young people coming into the industry. Gardening is still so overlooked as a career, yet it has huge potential to positively impact people, communities and the planet.
Instagram @lukecolemangardens
