This time next week most of us will be getting ready to sit down to a big feast.  I still feel as though there’s lots to get ready, but it’s all creative stuff including making a garland and doing some more baking, so not such a hardship.

For those of you who know me well, you’ll know that I love to make mince pies – the first batch are in the freezer and I’ll be making the next batch over the weekend along with some croissants for Christmas morning.

Whatever you’re doing over the Christmas break I hope you have a fabulous time.  I do hope the rain stops as there’s nothing better than a cold crisp weather to make things feel a bit more festive, especially on Boxing Day when I always feel the need to get outside and take in some fresh air.

If you like to get out over the break then don’t forget many gardens are open – RHS Wisley, Kew, Wakehurst Place & Westonbirt Arboretum, to name but a few and also many of the larger National Trust gardens too.

I’ll be taking a break from blogging over Christmas but I’ll be back again in the New Year.

Happy Christmas!

I hope you’ll indulge me by allowing me to blow my own trumpet today as I have some exciting news to share with you. Read more

I’ve written about Cox & Cox before as I love their products and garden accessories. This Christmas they have some gorgeous lighting products for the garden to make it really festive. Read more

Can you believe that Christmas is just four weeks away?  It always has a habit of creeping up on me and when I was in Cardiff earlier this week it seemed to be packed with shoppers already. Read more

I’ve wanted to go to Westonbirt for years and never seem to have managed to arrange a visit.  But last week I had a friend staying and because I’m now reasonably close, we decided to pay a visit. Read more

I have recently been in touch with Black Country Metal Works.  They’re a family run company based in Shropshire and home to the country’s largest outdoor display of decorative metal work, as well as the county’s only interactive forge offering visitors the opportunity to learn more about the craft of metalworking. Read more

I have been working with my client in Weybridge for almost two years now and I’m delighted to be able to share some images of the finished garden which has been a long time in the making. Read more

Last week I was back in Surrey and London to plant up my project in Chiswick. I couldn’t have chosen a worse day weather-wise but now that I don’t live up the road, I had to ignore the rain and get on with the task in hand! Read more

I met up with my friend and fellow garden designer Paul Richards last week.  We’re (sort of) local now so decided to meet at Hampton Court Castle for lunch and have a wander around the gardens as well.  Mostly because it’s half way between us. Read more

I went back to Hauser & Wirth last week in Bruton, Somerset.  I went last year when it had just opened so I was interested to see how it’s looking one year on. Read more