Gardeners are creative individuals who sculpt and nurture nature, a perspective that seems overlooked. It's high time we reexamine the role of a gardener - get acquainted with Emily Adcock.
In the ever-evolving world of horticulture, the journey of a notable gardener often begins with early influences that shape their career and leave a lasting impact on the field. Such is the case with the acclaimed horticulturist, whose Instagram handle is @hortdamn.
Growing up, the speaker's fascination with the natural world was sparked by the common daisy (Bellis perennis) and the allure of roses collected from an old walled tennis court on an abandoned estate. These early encounters with flora set the stage for a lifelong passion.
The speaker's family, while not directly involved in horticulture, played a significant role in nurturing this passion. At the tender age of seven, the speaker remember begging their mother for an allotment, a request that marked the beginning of a deep-rooted connection with gardening.
As the speaker grew older, they sought mentorship from established figures in the field. The horticulturist at RHS Garden Wisley, Jack Aldridge, was one such mentor who inspired the speaker with his knowledge and dedication to horticulture.
The speaker's horticultural heroes, Piet Oudolf and Tom Stuart-Smith, have also left a lasting impression. The speaker admires their innovative approach to naturalistic planting styles, where plant favourites are repeated organically throughout a border. The speaker's favourite garden, The Barn by Tom Stuart-Smith, is a testament to this style.
However, the speaker faces a challenge in changing people's perception of horticulturists. They strive to shift this perception, viewing horticulturists as artists of the natural world rather than garden labourers. This vision is reflected in their own gardening philosophy, which prioritises wildlife and sustainability.
The speaker advocates for a gardening approach that values both aesthetics and sustainability. They advise gardeners to plan their planting carefully, selecting plants and ornamental grasses that provide a long season of interest and keep beds standing through winter for both aesthetic and wildlife reasons.
In the speaker's opinion, wildlife gardening or gardening for biodiversity is not a specific style but an approach that all gardeners should embrace. They hope that over the past 20 years, opinions about gardening have changed, and more gardeners are recognising the importance of creating gardens that support and nurture wildlife.
As the speaker reflects on their journey, they look back on a lifetime of experiences that have shaped their career and passion for horticulture. They continue to inspire others with their commitment to creating beautiful, sustainable, and wildlife-friendly gardens, and their Instagram handle, @hortdamn, serves as a testament to their dedication to the craft.
The speaker's early experiences with common daisies and roses discovered in an old walled tennis court ignited a lifelong passion for horticulture, leading to a career that has left a significant impact on the field. As a child, the speaker's family supported their growing interest in gardening by granting them an allotment at the age of seven. Influential mentors, such as Jack Aldridge from RHS Garden Wisley, along with pioneers like Piet Oudolf and Tom Stuart-Smith, have shaped the speaker's innovative gardening approach, which emphasizes both aesthetics and sustainability. The speaker aims to change the public's perception of horticulturists, promoting them as artists of the natural world, and encourages gardeners to create wildlife-friendly gardens that support and nurture biodiversity.
