THE INTERVIEW
Was it difficult being a woman in a predominantly male industry?
“I think gender does have some influence on the gardening world which is a shame. Whilst studying for my post grad diploma, there were 3 females on the course and 17 men. There are more female landscape architects emerging, but it’s still predominantly male. When I was on the judging panel, I was often one of the only women.” After graduating, Bunny worked in the private sector for several years and started her own firm in 1986. Having worked in landscape design for nearly 50 years, Bunny has plenty of experience including working on reclamation sites, renovation of inner city housing estates, planning appeals, sheltered housing schemes, pedestrian precincts, golf courses, farm and estate planting, public roof gardens and many different private gardens. Bunny has designed a total of nine show gardens, winning six golds at the Chelsea Flower Show. Out of all your show gardens which was your favourite and why?
“You can make a really ugly house look stunning by the way you treat the garden. Just a series of plants in pots, creating a line of green foliage at eye level, won’t block anything but is enough to deflect your eye from any awful architecture.” Who are your clients?
“Anyone can be my client. I work with everyone from premier league footballers to small suburban house owners. I haved landscaped small gardens in the UK to 30 huge garden projects in Japan.” “Many of my clients are returning customers - I have done three generations of gardens for one family. They all wanted something very different for very different houses, but it is helpful when your clients know the sort of thing you do, what you can do, and they have the confidence in you.”
“My favourite Chelsea Flower Show garden was the 2011 M&G garden. I only received silver but I think it was better than the gardens I received gold for!”
“My personal favourite is the M&G Garden in 2011. I received a silver guild for the garden, but I think it was the best I have created. It was very technically challenging as it featured a large, floating glass platform. Underneath the space was an area with a glass roof, a huge fireplace and sunken seating areas. Above the glass roof you could climb up the stone staircase and view the whole garden. It was definitely the most stressful garden I have completed!”
Why do you think it is important to have a well-presented garden?
“Many people have something in their house which might not be perfect like the kitchen’s too small, or the hallway is too narrow. There is usually something all householders would change if they can but a garden, if designed cleverly, can be exactly what you want.” “You can make the outdoor space your sanctuary, hide all the things you want to hide and even design an enjoyable ‘room in the garden like an outside sitting room or garden kitchen.” “Designing a garden is different to designing something inside like a kitchen. When designing a kitchen, you are restricted by some elements or can only have so many choices, but when designing a garden, your choices are limitless.”
How often do people change their gardens?
“The gardens I design are created to be that person’s sanctuary so they do not change as much as you might change your kitchen or bathroom.” “However, they do move on; only yesterday I received an email from a client whose garden I designed 30 years ago. Their outside furniture is now wearing a little and asked what I would suggest. I enjoy seeing how the gardens I designed 25 years ago have transformed.”
Are there any frequently asked for garden trends?
“As all my clients are different, I do not think there is a commonly asked for design. Every space is very different, and I work all over the UK and the world, so my work is vary vast.” “Clients do not usually ask for the same thing, but they will often show me examples of what I have done and say I like this and then we will change it to suit them and their needs.” “Being self-sufficient is popular, especially with the lockdown, so I have been asked to input kitchen gardens for my clients to give them the space to grow their own herbs, fruits and vegetables.” Are there any new trends that you are wanting to try?
“I am always playing with design, experimenting and developing new ideas. I am currently creating a green cathedral out of plants and
Opposite: Two beautiful examples of Bunny’s work. The above photo is a professional large scale garden whilst the below is a private plot Bunny has designed.
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