My Life in Plants
The first plants I grew
Growing up on a fruit tree nursery gave me an early appreciation of the root systems of trees and how important and influential they are to the varieties grafted on to them. To me, rootstocks were the all-important first plants I helped to propagate.
The trees that shaped the nurseryman I am today
The training of fruit trees (espalier and fan-shapes) and watching our skilled staff, magically shaping trees in front of my very eyes when I was young, was mesmerising. This developed my appreciation and understanding of how we’re able to influence and be creative with nature.
My favourite trees in the world
The crab apples, hugely under-appreciated for diversity, beauty and variable seasonal interest. They’re very much the perfect garden tree.
The tree that changed my life
Prunus ‘Tai-haku’, the great white-flowering cherry, from Japan. I idolised my father and this was his favourite ornamental tree, mainly because he met and spoke so highly of the great Captain Collingwood ‘Cherry’ Ingram, whose writings and passion for these wonderful trees have enriched our lives and gardens.
The trees that made me work hardest
Walnut trees due to the inconsistency of the results from grafting. It’s a frustration, but always challenging. We need to be challenged.
The plants of which I would love to grow more
The cornus family, both C. kousa and C. florida and respective hybrids. Just because I’d love to see more planted. They’re very hardy, will take the worst of our variable spring weather, are hardly ever hurt by frost and their bracts (false flowers) remain open for many weeks. How can such hardy and tough plants be so beautiful?
The tree I am in human form
I’m probably like a birch tree – flexible, imperfect, hardy, developing its features, form and spirit over many years and very tolerant of extreme conditions.
The tree I’d always give away as a gift
I think any tree that fits the person and the moment. There’s a tree for everyone, every space and every season.