When Denise from @my_little_plot found herself stuck during the coronavirus lockdown, she turned to her neglected outdoor space and discovered a passion that has blossomed ever since. Now, the proud owner of a quirky cottage garden filled with creative containers, upcycled finds, and wildlife finds out the most important gardening tips he wished he’d known all along…
What made you start gardening?
Image provided by: @my_little_plot
My path to gardening was similar to many. The coronavirus lockdown and job redundancy have left me with a lot more time on my hands, and neglected plans need attention.
What inspires you in the garden?
Image provided by: @my_little_plot
I mainly find inspiration for my garden online or in books (the old fashioned way). There’s always something new to learn or a new planting idea to try.
What is your favorite gardening style?
Image provided by: @my_little_plot
I love the cottage garden style and if I had to describe my garden in one word it would be ‘quirky cottage’. I love upcycling things from my garden to make planters, which leads me to container gardens. I have one in the shade and one in the sun. From perennials to tall trees, you can grow anything in containers. I love the versatility of containers.
What are you most proud of?
Image provided by: @my_little_plot
What I’m most proud of is looking back and realizing how much the garden has changed and knowing that it was all my own work. I love it when other gardeners hear my advice and take inspiration from my garden.
The wildlife that visit my garden every day makes me proud to be doing my part. I recently adopted a hedgehog, but a huge number of birds and pollinators also thrive there.
What are some gardening tips for beginners?
Image provided by: @my_little_plot
My advice to novice gardeners is to think about “right plant, right place.” I’ve forgotten how many times I’ve impulse-bought something at a garden store only to realize that the conditions aren’t right for it to grow.
grow up like dennis
Image: Thompson & Morgan geranium ‘Patricia’
If you’d like to grow the plants and flowers that Denise features on her Instagram page, here are some of her favorites.
Follow Denise at @my_little_plot to see her garden grow and change with each season. For even more inspiration, our complete series of featured gardeners includes a wealth of highly knowledgeable growers worth following.
Thompson & Morgan’s horticulture team produces a wealth of content about gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalog was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest mail order seed and plant companies. Through publishing catalogs and operating an award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the highest quality products money can buy.
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