Image courtesy of Michelle Washington Jenkins
After a dance career and co-founding of a talent agency, Michelle Washington Jenkins has returned to raise three children. And he discovered his passion for gardening. Today, she is a trained gardener, professional flower grower and digital creator known as @floriansbotanical, sharing her love for seasonal flowers from Hampshire’s beautiful Victorian walled garden. Discover how Michelle built a flower-filled life from scratch and why her greenhouse is the heartbeat of both her growth and creativity.
Tell us about your current garden
Image courtesy of Michelle Washington Jenkins
I lean against a loose, naturalistic style that feels like it belongs to the British countryside. I also love the structure, but the planting makes it softer. My garden is a work space and is designed with both productivity and appeal in mind. It’s practical and beautiful.
What are you most proud of?
Image courtesy of Michelle Washington Jenkins
I literally feel most proud to build a life full of flowers from scratch. My garden started out as an idea and has grown into something I now share with thousands of people online. I created a space that connects with people across the country who want to cultivate my creativity, support my family life, and develop more beauty in my life. Raising my child and completing my gardening diploma while growing my business felt like a big milestone. It gave me both confidence and reliability in the gardening world.
What inspires you in your garden?
Image courtesy of Michelle Washington Jenkins
I am constantly inspired by the rhythms of the seasons. I specialize in growing cut flowers, so it’s all about celebrating beauty with purpose. Not only does it look breathtaking at the border, it is a flower that is also destined to vases. My training in horticulture taught me to have a deeper understanding of plants, but it is a daily ritual, sowing early morning harvests and greenhouse tranquility, truly satisfying the joy.
What are your future plans?
Image courtesy of Michelle Washington Jenkins
I am working to expand my content creation as I grow. My goal is to grow cut flowers and encourage more people to see what is possible, even in small gardens. I am currently working on a new workshop and trying new ways to grow flowers. As part of a healthy lifestyle, I want to advocate for gardening, whether it is by taking a little time to grow yourself, connect with nature, and simply breathe between the flowers.
Top Gardening Tips for Beginners
Don’t be afraid to start small. But do it intentionally. Whether it’s a handful of sweet pea seeds or a small patch of the universe, choose the flowers you love and grow them well. It focuses on understanding your soil, your site, and the needs of the plants you work in. And what if you had to give one important advice from the perspective of a gardener? Sowing continuously. It broadens your harvest and gives you room to learn, adapt and try again.
Why is your greenhouse so important to you?
Image courtesy of Michelle Washington Jenkins
My greenhouse is the heartbeat of my growing space – it is also my creative studio, home to trays of spring seedlings and soft plants hidden in the winter. It’s where I experiment with styling, vintage planters and beautiful leaves that bring joy to every day. I cover up my winter pelagonium, grow my favorite houseplants, and create seasonal planters that double as flower still life moments. For me, gardening is as much about expression as it is production, and my greenhouse is where these two worlds meet.
Grows like Michelle
Image: Thompson & Morgan’s Rambling Rose Banksiae ‘lutea’
If Michelle wants to buy some of the plants on her Instagram page, here is a quick shopping list:
You can find Michelle’s seasonal gardening and styling ideas on @floriansbotanical’s Instagram. She shares daily tips, tutorials and behind the scenes moments from her garden. For even more inspiration, our series of notable gardeners are full of highly knowledgeable producers.
The Thompson & Morgan Horticultural team produces a wealth of content on gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was released in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown into one of the UK’s largest mail-order seed and plant companies. Through publishing catalogs and running an award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the highest quality products that money can buy.
Related Posts you might enjoy
