I’ve always liked the phrase “may you live in interesting times”. I think that’s because we don’t live in interesting times, not compared to our parents or grandparents anyway. But 2020 has been interesting, and it makes you realise that interesting doesn’t usually mean good, just different.
Back in less interesting times, in January 2020, I went to Mottisfont in Hampshire. The Winter Garden is one of the best in the country and colour, form, texture and scent were in abundance, particularly on a cold, crisp day.
Unlike many people I was able to have an overseas holiday this year, getting to Barbados before Covid 19 really kicked in. The island has only had seven deaths but the travel restrictions have hit the country hard, with unemployment reaching 40%. Interesting times indeed for the country as it announced its intention to become a republic.
The day before Lockdown 1.0 was a last hurrah and a visit to Sissinghurst. In all honesty it wasn’t the best time to visit, with a hailstorm and large parts of the garden closed to the public, including Dan Pearson’s new Delos garden. But there was the unexpected bonus of being able to see some of the International Garden Photographer of the Year winners and some beautifully potted spring bulbs.
So the first thing that happened was that most public gardens were closed meaning that I couldn’t visit any. But friends and clients stepped up and sent me photos of their gardens which I think many newsletter readers enjoyed.
Some of my usual work was cancelled or postponed indefinitely and the Government support for self employed people was a lifeline. And as clients got used to the lockdown rules it became easier to get to peoples’ gardens for work. I started one design job completely remotely which you’ll be able to see next year.
Obviously the time people have spent at home has meant that gardens have become really important. One of my commissions was paid for with the refund on a rail season ticket. I don’t think the client had really thought about his garden very much until it became his only diversion from working at home and most of his other hobbies became impossible.
I was even able to spend a bit more time working on my own garden, making a change to most summers. Somewhat presciently I had asked my dad to sow some seeds for me in early spring. The Orlaya grandiflora were great, the Ammi majus less so. My own attempt at growing courgettes was a disaster but the chilli plant given to me by my dad was a great success.
The Chelsea Flower Show, along with all the other RHS shows, was cancelled. That made me look back over 13 years of photographs which took quite some time.
As I wasn’t very busy early on in lockdown, and I couldn’t cycle very far, I started volunteering as a gardener in my local park, South Park Gardens. It’s been really nice getting to know more people in my neighbourhood. The comments from visitors really brought home the importance of attractive outdoor spaces.
Gardens did open eventually although the pre-booking system many have in place is enough to drive you to distraction. I managed to avoid this when going to Wisley by making sure it was pouring with rain. A phone call ascertained that I wouldn’t need to book. Rather stupidly I thought the rain would stop..
Wisley looked great but some other gardens haven’t, deeming it unsafe to continue using volunteers. Having been a volunteer gardener myself I think this was a bit short-sighted. It will take a long time for some gardens to recover.
The renewed appreciation for gardens hasn’t necessarily translated into a massive increase in demand for high quality garden design. A recent survey by Pro Landscaper magazine has shown that about one third of businesses in the landscaping industry have seen a significant upturn whilst two thirds have reduced turnover. I think a lot of the perceived increase in interest in gardens has been from homeowners who have not used a designer, at the smaller end of project sizes.
I only have to look at what my neighbours have done. Many have spent money on replacing their fences, changing the paving (from concrete slabs to artificial grass and concrete block paving) and buying more furniture. Precious little has been spent on plants and as an observation I’d say the space for planting has reduced. Trees were felled to improve light levels before homeowners realised a bit of shade in high summer is actually quite nice.
For every square metre of artificial turf I’ve seen laid I have sown one or more square metres of wildflower meadow. These won’t really come into their own until next summer.
Projects completed in 2019, like the terraced garden in Raynes Park and the replanted garden in Teddington, have really developed well in 2020, although the very hot dry summer proved a bit of a challenge. Most new plants need a year to get established and until then need a bit of TLC, particularly when it comes to watering.
The autumn brought a couple more visits to gardens - Sussex Prairies in Sussex, Painshill Park and Ramster Gardens, both in Surrey.
I’d never even heard of the latter so it was a welcome discovery when everything else was fully booked over half term
Towards the end of autumn and beginning of winter I found myself spending more time visiting Wimbledon Common. In the summer I cycled across it a lot but cycling and photography are not compatible, so autumn it is for photographs. There’s been a lot of fog this year, a photographer’s dream. I hope you agree.
Lockdown 2.0 hasn’t had the same impact on business. But the short days and long nights and no social life have made for a very boring time which will probably continue until most friends and family have been vaccinated. I’ve been able to see clients and my work has meant I can get out and about. This hasn’t been the case for most people though, particularly those who are shielding. As I write though London has just moved into Tier 3 for an unknown period.
This year there’s been a lot of discussion about the importance of nature, landscapes and plants. Call it biophilia, forest-bathing, back-to-nature, whatever, it’s good to see so many more people outside in all weathers. Ok, so some of it is because there is literally nothing else to do and for many it’s the only way to see friends and family, but hopefully some of it will be long-lasting.
2020 has made me realise that interesting times are mostly pretty boring. Let’s hope 2021 is decidedly less interesting and we can get back to our boring lives with a renewed appreciation of what we have missed.