“Dahling, I’ve got the most divine designer” by Roger
Noakes (Garden Designer)
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Common myths about garden designers
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All stereotypes of course. But garden design does carry some (class?) baggage from the past.
You do now and again hear or read something from a designer or garden
writer which indicates that they are about to disappear up their own gazebo.
The show gardens at this year’s Chelsea show didn’t help – wildly expensive
to create, more concrete and stainless steel than plants – and bore no relation
to most people’s budgets.
I am not a great fan of garden makeover TV programmes but they have popularised
the idea of garden design and made it more accessible.
Titchmarsh et al have done more for garden design than anyone else in
my view.
Of course there are superstars in any occupation – in the UK people like John
Brookes, Jill Billington, David Stevens, the late Rosemary Verey and the younger
Dan Pearson and Gavin McDiarmud.
Most of these spent a long time not being famous.
It’s only since gardening became the new rock ‘n roll with the explosion
of books, magazines, TV programmes, videos, computer software and websites that
they have seen the opportunities and come to the fore.
Lesser designer mortals don’t charge squillions, work hard, are practical, are
enthusiastic and give value for money.
I know, I’m one and I enjoy it.
