Exploring my courtyard garden with Andy Sturgeon | Virtual Chelsea Flower Show | RHS

Gold-medal winning garden designer, Andy Sturgeon, chats to us from his tranquil home garden.
Andy often uses natural materials in his designs, his M&G Garden from the 2019 Chelsea Flower Show won Best in Show, blending burnt timber sculptures with jewel-like flowers. Use Andy's take-home ideas and planting choices in your own green space.
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[@Elizabeth-jd3mn]

Secluded and tranquil. I'd add a sail somewhere so I could sleep outside under cover❤

[@trillium341]

On my third viewing...so much to learn from in this tiny space. Love the moody, understated tones punctuated by orange foxglove...the dark pond, subtle waterspout, and warm evening glow...and those gorgeous walls. Thank you for sharing.

[@CK-wn1ik]

Thanks for sharing. It's so interesting to go inside a designer's mind. Every plant, every material, every place has a reason to be there yet it all looks as if they're naturally there.

[@lilwilliams1896]

Very tranquil Andy. Love the lighting.

[@lesleyrobertson7791]

Beautiful , tranquil garden - the lighting is fabulous

[@sosoutherncustomequestrian4598]

Just beautiful!

[@neverlostforwords]

Andy, you really have used the garden area creatively. It looks stunning - friendly and interesting. There is so much to see. I agree with not having to have repetition as you are essentially a plant lover and want to have lots of different plants, combined sympathetically. I often think repetition is boring and much prefer to see variety in beautiful combinations, as you have done in your gorgeous garden. I hope to get to the real Chelsea one day and see your work there. In the meantime, from over here in Melbourne Australia, I am enjoying the virtual Chelsea garden show. Thanks so much for your contribution!

[@neverlostforwords]

@@Mondoshawn Yes, some level of repetition is needed, I agree. I am doing that with a few small shrubs and perennials as they don't take up too much precious garden space and can be fairly easily moved on to other family members' gardens when I am ready for a change. I tend to stand at various vantage points to view the garden and look overall for a pleasing scene. If the scene lacks unity, the solution is often to add a little more of a current plant.

[@chrishoo2]

I’m loving the way you’ve employed the lighting. Especially the down lighting!

[@marjorierushie7737]

What an amazing garden. I am so inspired.

[@0210rokvist]

Wonderfull

[@supergirlpickle]

Many intelligent and very handsome design choices.. The water element in black steel? provides a graphic element to tie in with the fence , elegant and soulful. I love the scale and textural shifts I really appreciate the tips about cats as I am considering more water elements as well as the lighting ideas . Really beautiful and although complex has a feeling of wise simplicity Thanks so much for sharing it .

[@sarapulford5957]

🇬🇧 Over 40 years I've pruned a Viburnum Marisii which was a "bushy" nuisance into an 8' umbrella tree and it's just gone over from being the best its ever been. It's my pride and joy and walkers by stop to admire it. I get a second small flush of flowers amongst its autumn leaves. But I didn't prune it over the last two years and it's got top heavy and a bit wobbly. Also got cracked bark and woodworm so I'm going to take cuttings from stems growing from the base.

[@conniekeshet]

Really lovely! Looks amazing. Thanks from israel.

[@catebulmer6099]

Andy, I love your garden and your explanation of your thinking processes. I don't know if you read these comments, or if a more experienced gardener can help me, but would you list the plant names you said please, particularly the large shrubs instead of small trees. thanks

[@catebulmer6099]

@@isobelsmith6999 thank you, i have a small garden and so many good ideas from this

[@catebulmer6099]

And where did you get your lighting, it's divine?

[@LucaDiLeo]

Does anyone know where you can get the cedar slats he’s used for fencing?

[@hollyhocks7360]

I’m surprised the urge to buy a big property with extensive grounds hasn’t grabbed you yet so you can put all the elements you love into your own large garden . Maybe it’s a retirement dream ?

[@coelacanth9311]

Beautiful garden but as a long time fish keeper I find it unlikely that the fish wouldn't jump out of the pond with the water level so high.

[@mariamnahaboo6105]

would you please list the names of plants that grow in the shade? We live in Kentish Town in London. We also have a small garden but the garden is on a slope and we are thinking of creating 4 levels. There is also an existing brickwall at 1500 then it rises to 1320. unfortunately our garden is north facing and the front garden is south facing. I want tot grow some herbs as well as vegetables. We are both 75 years old so we are trying to get someone to help because there is too much to do.

[@pertelote4526]

I wonder it the "pond" is safe for birds to drink from. Once I found a great tit which had drowned in a water butt filled to the brim. It was terrible; I think the tit had intended to take a bath in the butt and "miscalculated" its depth. I have two birds bath in another corner of the garden.

[@skatergirlskatergirl2486]

In my view the pond wouldn't be safe for birds, or even any cats that miscalculated badly and fell in. I'd put one or two suitably sculptural water plants in that pond, with their bases raised up as much as possible so that birds could safely dip in and out with somewhere solid to clamber on to. Maybe he will get around to that when he has time.

[@karencroan1112]

An awful lot of concrete for a ‘garden’. Little help for bees here

[@lexicmh]

"Canary Island foxglove" - nectar-rich flowers which attract bees

[@lexicmh]

"Trachelospermum Jasminoide" - With its fragrant white flowers that are rich in nectar ...attracts pollinating wildlife, such as wild honey bees and butterflies