Every garden is a story waiting to be told, as we discovered when catching up with award-winning garden designer and BBC Gardeners’ World presenter, Adam Frost, who’s leaving the garden and will soon arrive in Essex with his brand-new show…
About to depart on his latest tour, among the madness of preparation, Adam found a few moments to chat with us about his latest inspiration, why his upcoming show will be his most personal yet, and the surprising discoveries he’s made while working on his home garden.
‘I wish it were Friday already, I’m ready to get going now and don’t enjoy getting caught up in prep,’ Adam shares. ‘It’s fun being on the road. Even though I run a design practice, I’m home a lot throughout the winter months, and life is still.
‘Then March arrives and for the next few months, I’m all over the shop, though I think usually by this time of year, my family are eager to see the back of me. They’ll be over the moon come Friday!’
Adam’s new show has been described as one of his most intimate to date, with him sharing some of the hardships from the last few years with audiences.
‘The end of my last show came at a time when life wasn’t so good,’ Adam reveals. ‘So, I ended up sharing what had happened. My wife and one of my little ones had fallen poorly, and the wheels came off me.
Adam Frost(Image: Courtesy of Impressive PR)
‘Everybody was keen to know why we were moving house, as it was out in the press, so I began talking about the reasons why.
‘Coincidentally, my new show picks up from there, and is driven by conversations with my psychiatrist, exploring where my love of plants came from, the people I’m drawn to, and the music and places that inspire me. There’s a lot that’s emerged from my chats with him, that’s formed the basis of my book and the tour.’
In his newest book, For the Love of Plants, Adam takes readers for a wander through his garden, sharing stories about the plants that have shaped his life.
‘There’s lots for people to connect with,’ he explains. ‘I reflect on the influence that music’s played in my life, regale naughty and funny stories, and of course chat plenty about plants.
‘The book not only looks at them as beautiful objects, but welcomes them as old and new friends, and explores the creative process of designing a garden, and the many muses that inform that process. I’d say there’s a little bit of something for everyone.’
For the Love of Plants details Adam’s journey of creating his new home’s garden, unearthing the motivations behind every curated element.
‘As well as offering plant care advice, I share personal anecdotes about why I chose each flower for that area of the garden,’ Adam adds. ‘I might recall the first time I saw that plant or who it reminds me of. It’s an in-depth exploration of how I view and work with plant life.’
Of the 150 species covered in the book, it’s exceedingly difficult for Adam to choose a favourite.
‘It’s like asking me if I have a favourite kid,’ Adam says, ‘there’s no way I could choose. Instead, I could tell you about a rather intriguing one that I’m looking at right now as I glance out of the window. It’s a little fruit tree called Lord Burghley. The plant was found hundreds of years ago just up the road near Burghley House.
‘I began researching this plant when I learnt a fella born next door in the 19th century, Thomas Laxton, had gone on to become a huge plant breeder and biologist. He propagated over 60 different plants, one of which was known as the Laxton Superba, which is another variety of apple tree.
‘This gives you an idea of the many different paths, connections, history and thoughts my studies and explorations have led me down and I enjoy describing them in the book.’
Since he was little, Adam’s love for horticulture has helped shape his life.
‘In a way, everything in my life stems from my love of plants,’ Adam says. ‘As a kid, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents. I had a difficult childhood, and gardening provided a haven.
Adam Frost(Image: Courtesy of Impressive PR)
‘It’s taught me a lot and continues to today. The older you get, the more fascinating it becomes. Through it, I’ve learnt to practice patience, and as you’re continuously watching the impact of environmental change on plant life, it increases your awareness of how the world works.’
Throughout his career, Adam’s worked in countless gardens on an inordinate number of design projects. Growing up in Essex, he’s experienced first-hand the region’s natural beauty.
‘I grew up in Harlow and adore the Essex countryside and coastline,’ Adam shares. ‘It’s a truly lovely area.’
However, his favourite project is his home garden, which he began work on as soon as the family moved house.
‘I hadn’t intended on showing the garden on TV, but it’s been lovely connecting with a broader audience over its creation in the last four years and hearing people’s positive responses,’ Adam comments. ‘I’ve enjoyed hearing how much they’ve related to the garden’s size. It’s been quite a journey and one that I’ve enjoyed sharing with people.’
Throughout the design process, Adam utilised his love for music to help inspire the landscape and formation of the garden’s various areas.
Adam Frost(Image: Courtesy of Impressive PR)
‘There are many different tracks represented throughout the space, but one of the most obvious is the entrance, which emanates What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong,’ Adam shares. ‘I love walking through the gate on a Sunday morning as the church bells are ringing, with that song playing through my head and taking in the patch of wildflowers that sit on the right-hand side along with the pear trees, and the fence-lining herbs on the left.
‘As I wander through the gravel pathway with the sun on my back (fortunately, the garden’s south-facing) and slowly take it all in, life suddenly feels alright.
‘A little further in, I’m then transported back to my grandfather’s allotment. It’s Saturday teatime, and we’re returning home. He’s just taken a little scotch from the cabinet, has popped some vinyl on and I’m resting by his knee. It’s like this wherever I walk in the garden, a constant play of emotions and fond memories in my head.’
It’s this ability to portray stories, art and nostalgia in a garden that Adam was keen to demonstrate to others.
‘Everyone has a track that speaks to them, means something special or reminds them of various places and faces. Music carries us through everything. It can bring a smile to your face, a tear to your eye or take us back in time,’ he explains. ‘It’s an incredibly powerful and moving thing, that highlights what it means to be human, and what life is ultimately all about – remembering and creating.’
Adam hopes that through his book and latest show, he can inspire audiences to reflect on their experiences and use that magic to bring their gardens to life.
‘I want audiences to leave with a smile on their face and be ready to rock and roll this gardening season,’ he adds. ‘As far as the book’s concerned, I’d be pleased if it can become a gardening companion; something for people to dip in and out of as they please to help them enjoy the delights of working outside. If all else fails, it’ll be handy for propping up the table.’
In our last few moments with Adam on this wistful afternoon, we were also keen to gather some of his top tips to help our green fingers warm up for autumn.
‘The very first thing you want to do is spend some time in your garden to observe how the light moves through the space and where the wind hits,’ Adam advises. ‘This type of preparation is often underrated, but if you understand how the elements affect your garden, then you can work out how to get the best from it.
‘After that, it’s good to break your yard down into layers to make it more manageable. Begin by considering the tree layers, then the shrubs, the herbaceous perennial layers and the bulbs. Then take into account your boundaries – the fences, edges, or whatever they may be.
‘These layers form the building bricks of your garden, and once you’ve got those in mind, you can experiment with how to put them together. Segmenting your garden into individual pieces makes it simpler to understand. Once you know where the trees and shrubs will go, everything else will fall into place, enabling you to create a beautiful garden that reflects your spirit.’
An Evening with Adam Frost arrives at Mercury Theatre in Colchester on September 27. Book tickets at fane.co.uk/adam-frost. For the Love of Plants: Over 150 plants to bring joy to your garden and your life is available to purchase from all good bookstores.
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