In association with HSS
After twenty years working in the creative industries, local lad Jack Wallington retrained between 2015 – 2017 at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to become a horticulturist and landscape designer, opening his studio full time in January 2018. “Writing, art and nature have always come naturally to me – my first loves – and they all pointed to this new career after a key turning point in my life”, says Jack.
“I have designed over 70 gardens across the UK and written columns and features for Gardeners’ World, The Guardian, The Telegraph, Gardens Illustrated, RHS The Garden and The English Garden. I released my first book, Wild about Weeds, in 2019 and A Greener Life in 2022, and was lucky that both were named The Times Gardening Book of the Year.”
“The combination of growing, showing and explaining what I do to help others has allowed me to communicate a new approach to gardens I create in my designs. This new wild way connects people to nature deeply and meaningfully. It is explored in my weekly Wild Way newsletter in which I also share the study of wildlife and wildflowers from our remote small farm in the Pennines.”
This talk will explore how to assess existing biodiversity in gardens and look to improve or manage it better, alongside incorporating minimal impact usable features for us to enjoy too. Concentrating on plant communities and habitat to attract and support specific wildlife, including wildflowers and wildlife friendly ornamentals, sustainable materials and other useful wildlife elements.