Synopsis
"Ours truly is a 'his and her' garden that way, we each enjoy free rein within our own areas," explain Rosie Irving and Michael Marriott, an eminent rosarian who adds: "We can offer advice, but within our own patch, we have the power of jurisdiction"
The outcome is a garden of two interwoven halves, in which the whole is undoubtedly richer than the sum of its parts. "I tend to be experimental and colourful, but the plants are always the stars," says Rosie, a horticultural producer who works on most of the major TV garden makeover programmes. "However, I'm coming more and more to appreciate how a well thought-out landscaping design can harmonise and beautifully highlight a planting scheme." She also gardens organically. "I've never used a chemical product in any of my gardens."
In contrast, Michael is keen to be as wild as possible and, within reason, to grow plants as close to the original species as possible. "I dislike over-bred plants and novelty just for the sake of it, and am passionate that plants should not only be beautiful, but gardenworthy as well." Nonetheless, despite such different approaches, the couple are united in their love of plants, and have ensured something is in flower throughout the year. "Even in the depths of winter, a bee speculatively seeking pollen will find some here" says Michael.
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