Gardeners' World presenter Adam Frost interviews garden designer and author Chris Young in 'the epicentre' of horticulture
Is the smallest county in the UK, the biggest in the garden world?
A quiet revolution has been taking place in the UK's smallest county. While London’s Chelsea Flower Show dominates spring gardening headlines, a collaboration between a local garden designer and an independent family nursery is proving that the undisputed epicenter of British horticulture has moved to the East Midlands.
Stamford resident Chris Young, former Head of Editorial at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and author of the newly published book Gardens, Annotated, has been working with Rutland Nursery's event team to attract some of the biggest names in gardening to speak, educate and share their knowledge in the region over the last 18 months.
Adam Frost, Mark Diacono, Carol Klein, Sarah Raven, Matthew Wilson (host of BBC Radio 4's Gardeners Question Time, and a Rutland-based garden designer and Chelsea medalist) plus the legendary Mary Berry have all been interviewed by Chris Young at Rutland Nursery as part of a series aimed at bringing practical gardening excellence to the county.
In an about turn, last night, on 5th November, BBC Gardeners' World presenter Adam Frost (who also lives in the East Midlands) sat in the interviewer's chair, turning the tables on Chris Young to chat to him about his new book Gardens, Annotated (released 22 October, DK). Together, the pair took a deep dive into Chris's new book and explored the 200 gardens analysed, sharing the secrets of what makes good garden design, great.
Author of Gardens, Annotated, Chris Young says: "People often think you have to look to London or the grand gardens of the south to find the pulsing heart of the gardening world. But between our historic local heritage, incredible landscape, and the sheer appetite of the East Midlands gardening community, Rutland is absolutely where the action is happening right now. Bringing my friends and colleagues from the top tiers of the industry to Rutland isn't just about entertainment; it's about putting this fantastic region firmly on the national horticultural map."
With the popular series of gardening masterclasses and talks at Rutland Nursery selling out in record time, the county is fast developing a reputation as one of the gardening hotspots in England. With key talent working together, including BBC Gardeners' World presenters, renowned chefs and celebrity gardeners, Rutlands is also proving how collaborations between rural enterprise, experts and knowledge share can bring star power to East Midlands soil!
Chris Young was interviewed at Rutland Nursery by Adam Frost on Thursday 5th November.