Neil Ross: Designing, advising, teaching, writing and digging.
“For over thirty years I’ve been dedicated to creating beautiful gardens and landscapes and sharing my love for the craft of gardening both here and abroad. I try to balance a passion for innovative planting with the unique feel which each property exudes and the distinct personality of every garden owner. I’ve never stopped gardening so all my work and advice is hopefully rooted in practicality, sustainability, and ease of maintenance, without loosing that sense of magic and drama. I’m based in North East Somerset with easy access to South Bath & Bristol, Wells, Bruton and Frome. I currently teach RHS courses at Bristol Botanic Gardens, speak to gardening groups, write a blog and help at Root Connections, a local community farm as well as gardening for all my lovely clients.”
Since he discovered a forgotten, overgrown landscape park near his childhood home in Shropshire Neil has been fanatical about gardens - their power to weave magic – to draw us closer to the natural world and to help us relax and smile.
Profile
After a degree in horticulture at Wye College – Kent, Neil has been involved with some of the country’s most iconic gardens including Great Dixter in Sussex, Leeds Castle and several years training in the craft of fine gardening at the iconic National Trust garden; Sissinghurst in Kent. Neil spent twelve years in New Zealand – writing about gardens, designing, lecturing and developing Beverley McConnell’s award winning ‘Ayrlies Garden’ considered one of the finest antipodean landscapes. In 1995 he won a gold medal for his design at Auckland’s Ellerslie Flower show (New Zealand’s version of Chelsea Flower Show)
Since returning home, Neil has been involved with developing the gardens of several historic properties including St Catherine’s Court near Bath as well as many residential projects and proposals for a public park near the Mendip Hills where he presently lives combining his garden passions of writing, designing, teaching and getting his hands dirty!
Writing
Neil’s writing and photography has appeared in many UK publications including ‘The Garden’ (Royal Horticultural Society) , ‘The English Garden’, ‘The Landscape Design Journal’ , ‘Country Living Magazine’, ‘Coast’ and in ‘Amateur Gardening’
At the same time Neil is still a regular contributor to New Zealand magazines and in 2004 was voted New Zealand’s favourite garden writer by the ‘Weekend Gardener Magazine’
Books
‘Dear Christo – Memories of Christopher Lloyd at Great Dixter’ (Contributor, Timber Press 2010)
‘Ellerslie; Inspiration From the Flower Show’ (coffee-table book celebrating ten years of New Zealand’s premier flower show : New Holland 2004 )
‘Plant Perfect: Designing with Plants for the Modern Garden’ (2004 Random House).
‘Heroic Gardens’ (Contributor, Reed Publishing 2000)
Plant Shop
Over 150 beautiful flowers and foliage plants, grasses, ferns and shrubs. All grown in peat-free compost and recycled pots where possible.