MY GARDEN LIFE Charlie Mccormick shares his secrets and favourite plants

Charlie Mccormick, an exciting new talent on the gardening scene, believes in throwing away the rulebook and being true to yourself

Let’s open by delving into your story. Where do you live at the moment and what is your background?

I grew up on a farm in New Zealand before travelling and settling in the UK, where I live in Dorset with my husband Ben Pentreath (the architectural and interior designer). Our garden is about an acre in size and features layered dahlia beds, vegetables and a wildflower meadow. We also have a small bothy on the west coast of Scotland where I’ve recently started to plant a garden.

What first sparked your interest in gardening?

I’ve had no formal training; instead I just picked things up as I went along. Growing up I spent a lot of time with my grandparents, who are plant and garden crazy. It’s almost the best way of learning – just doing it and asking lots of questions as you go. I like gardening for the reason that there doesn’t have to be any rules.

Are there any seasonal highlights to your Dorset garden?

One of the best things in spring is the forced rhubarb, with its electrifying pink and yellow colours. I love it when the snowdrops push through and hang their delicate heads, too. In summer, the dahlias are definitely the stars of the show.

What do you think makes for a successful garden design?

Good structure with hedges, but remembering to leave things a little rough around the edges.

Is there one plant that you consider to be a favourite?

That’s hard. Different plants bring different feelings. I love dahlias as they are wild and cheerful. The weird and wonderful colours and forms are magical – I also enjoy showing them. I feel the same way about rhododendrons, as they bring back memories of my grandparents’ garden and the collection they had. I could probably say the same about daffodils and rock garden plants. They all bring individual rewards.

We know you love dogs – any tips for creating a dog-friendly garden?

Be relaxed and don’t worry about it. Our Labrador, Mavis, and Welsh corgis, Sibyl and Enid, can and will go everywhere in the garden.

What’s your take on bringing plant life indoors?

Filling the house with anything green is great but it is also a lovely idea to include forced bulbs, such as paperwhite narcissus and hyacinths, as they fill the house with scent.

Tell us about your gardening high – what is it that really makes it all worthwhile for you?

I enter agricultural and flower shows, both large and small, and for me they’re the main reward for gardening throughout the calendar year. I show my homegrown flowers and vegetables, particularly dahlias and marrows. Some of the autumn shows went ahead last year but they took place online.

Where do you find inspiration?

Books mostly. I love buying old books, especially ones from the 1950s and 1960s. Visiting gardens – big or small – is always inspiring, too. I particularly love the beautiful landscaped gardens at Rousham in Oxfordshire, which have changed very little since the 18th century. However, I also like ordinary front gardens and allotments.

To me that’s real gardening.

What interesting projects are you currently working on?

Recently I collaborated with jewellery designer Bleue Burnham on the ‘Grow with a Garden’ campaign.

This collection explores the positivity that a garden and the plants and flowers within it can share with us. Recycled precious metals are used to create the jewellery pieces and a tree is planted for every style sold.

Finally, what does gardening mean to you? Grow to show. & Instagram @mccormickcharlie