cuddle in the verdant landscape of East Sussex lies Great Dixter , a historic sign with gardens that capture the imagination and inspire gardener worldwide .
In this exclusive interview , we delve into the life and mind of Fergus , explore his journeying , philosophical system and the legacy he continues to build at Great Dixter .
Garrett , known for his dynamic approaching to planting and his commitment to biodiversity , shares penetration from his decennary of experience , offering a alone linear perspective on the art and skill of gardening .
Find the full interview with Mollie Brown here :
How did you venture into the world of horticulture?
“ It ’s all down to inspirational mass I ’ve cope with across the years , ” say Fergus .
“ My Geography teacher at school instruct us about West African husbandry and I was fascinated by this . I was also concerned in Biology and Chemistry and those sorts of things . So , he say to me , you ought to go to university to read something land - free-base .
“ So , I resolve to make that saltation and go to university and I then became passionately involved in gardening and here we are ! From university , I went and work at Brighton Parks Department , which was howling , and then I go and did some landscaping and did various Book of Job across the world .
“ I then put down at Dixter and really got into the existent attainment of gardening which is where I ’ve stayed . ”
What does a working Day look like for you?
“ A big part of my sidereal day is actually being out in the garden with the team , ” he explains .
“ I ’ve got a really keen squad and we ’ve get lots of students as well , so it ’s a very vibrant air where we ’re assay new things all the time . Every twenty-four hour period is exciting .
“ But then there are other responsibilities because I ’m CEO , so I ’ve got to take care of the cash in hand and the way the topographic point is run . We could well run this place as some , as a berth that made burden and lots of profits , but we do n’t do that .
“ We render and give as much as we can to the people around us , the community and multitude in the horticultural world . ”
Do you have a particular favourite memory from your time at Great Dixter?
“ My most favourite memories are with Christopher Lloyd – he was my corking wise man . We ’d already make a just friendly relationship by the time I started working at Dixter , but it became stiff and hard that friendship and he became like a father material body .
“ We spent a mickle of time together , whether that was sitting on a sofa discuss works , or whether that was supporting each other through gruelling times . I have marvelous memories of that man .
“ He was a beautiful person in many , many ways and my core and soul is linked to this place through him and the retention of him . ”
How do you balance the more traditional aspects of horticulture with the need for innovation and change, especially because of the changing conditions in the environment?
“ First things first , Dixter has never been a traditional topographic point , ” Fergus say .
“ It ’s got a traditional base , but the actual horticulture within it , the acting around with plant within it , has always been non - conforming , flexible and innovative . That began with Christopher Lloyd and has been instill in us here .
“ So , if we witness that something does n’t do well because of mood change we change it without any problem at all . Also , we never do the same thing and we constantly experiment with new ideas as well . Our tradition is to be experimental .
“ In regards to the modify clime , it ’s not just about recycling . It ’s about the gullible ethics of the people that you ’re buying from and shape association with . It ’s going to cost you more money , but we ’re decease down that route to try and actually do something as a company to make a difference .
“ There are lots of changes that have already been made at Dixter , but there ’s a lot more to make as well . It ’s about go as deep as you may into this . ”
Is there any fundamental advice you’d give to someone who’s just starting out in gardening?
“ Try and lick in a garden where they ’re going to instruct you , ” he hint .
“ There are lode of inspirational people out there , so go to a billet that take on that responsibility of teaching you seriously and then work intemperately for them and they ’ll open doors for you in many ways .
“ Try and go and see plant in the wild if you may . Everybody sort of center on garden design , but actually the best garden designers have a real knowledge of what goes on in the wilderness as well .
“ Also , be really aware , of the environment , the satellite and sustainability . We should n’t be gardening with chemicals , the diligence should n’t be using weedkiller and pesticide and all of those thing , so be aware of that . You want to have best exercise because we ’ve done enough of that in the past , so that ’s really quite significant .
“ register , observe , visit garden , find somewhere where you ’re rifle to relish the multitude and relish the work . figure out firmly – that ’s really of import .
“ Learn and be really sore to the environment that you ’re puzzle out in . ”
