John also runs one of the courses presented by My Garden School: How to Design a Garden, this is truly learning from the master. The courses start regularly and the next session starts 6th June.
The Questions
1. In which garden do you feel happiest? Denmans – my own
2. If you could only have five gardening tools, which would they be? Fork, secateurs, a rake, a barrow, shears
3. What are you most proud of? My MBE
4. If you won the lottery, what would you do? Put it in the bank and feel comfortable for a time!
5. Who are your garden heroes (no more than three) Thomas Church, Graham Stewart Thomas, Beth Chatto
6. What skill would you like to learn and why (does not have to be gardening related) Painting for pleasure
7. If you could visit any garden right this minute, which one would it be? Altamont – up state New York – one of my gardens.
8. What is your current plant obsession? I don’t have them
9. Which garden tool is never far from your hand? A fork to dig out the ground elder!
10. What is your favorite gardening/plant related word? Simplicity – less is more
11. What do you wish you could do better? Use my computer
12. What is the most important lesson you have learned so far? Learning to keep my mouth shut at certain times
13. What makes a perfect day for you? It’s sunny, i can work in the garden – no-one tries to contact me – with a bottle of dry, white wine.
14. If you had one piece of advice to offer to someone what would it be? It depends on who it is.
I am immensely grateful to John for answering my questions.
Next time: Lady Ursula Cholmeley
with grateful thanks to Sarah Gartside.
