Gardening talent
From small beginnings big ideas grow: Ben remembers planting a conker as a child and watching the tree emerge – he’s now head gardener at charity Perennial’s garden York Gate in Leeds
Meet Ben Preston, head gardener at charity Perennial’s garden York Gate in Leeds
Earliest gardening memory Planting a conker next to the Wendy house where my sister and I kept our first chickens. It never really did that well but I always loved seeing how much it had grown. Who has inspired your career? Mark Jackson – my best mate’s dad, old footy coach and head gardener at Newby Hall all rolled into one. Absolute inspiration. If ever I’ve got a problem to solve he’s always on the other end of the phone. Horticultural heroes Three mighty head gardeners: Alan North [Audley End], Mark Jackson [Newby Hall] and Fergus Garrett [Great Dixter]. They have all inspired me to become a head gardener and have been very influential in my career and gardening philosophy. Three worthwhile tips Remember why you love to garden; healthy soil mean healthy plants; trust your instincts and find out what works best for you – the books are not always right. Favourite planting style Successional planting, which for me is high-maintenance, ever-changing gardening wizardry. Multiple layers of bulbs, shrubs and perennials, both hardy and tender, interlaced with annuals – horticultural fun. Dream plant destination Japan, Madeira, Turkey, South Africa… the list goes one. So many weird and wonderful climates and plants out there. I think we often have an idea of how we think plants should be grown in an ornamental setting but seeing them in the natural environment really improves us as gardeners. What principles have guided your attitude to gardening? It’s easy to get caught up in the world of horticulture, following trends and fashions, loving and hating plant groups and of course gardeners are their own biggest critics. Relax. I garden because I love it and it’s an absolute pleasure. Sit back in your favourite spot in the garden on an evening and look at a few of your favourite plants, it puts things back into perspective pretty quickly. What’s the next big project you’ll be tackling? We are opening up the gates to the meadows at the back of York Gate. This will extend the intense one-acre of Arts and Crafts garden to the natural landscape beyond. Exciting times ahead. Contact bpreston@perennial.org.uk York Gate Garden, Back Church Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS16 8DW. perennial.org.uk. Open season 1 April – 30 September.