As the National Trust ’s youngest Head Gardener , Sam Hickmott manages not one , but two of their gardens – both found in Somerset .
Sam see gardening at just 17 , where an RHS Level 2 class at a local college offered the vocational opportunity to learn more about the industry .
We talk about his former partiality for Bluebells at just 5 years old , his switch from other formal training into gardening , and the latest program for the garden at Lytes Cary Manor & Tintinhull .
Where Did Your Love Of Gardening Come From?
“ My making love of horticulture first stemmed from a erotic love of the outdoors , ” shares Sam .
“ As a small child , I experience a short walk away from a timber address Greyfield Woods , contend by the Woodland Trust . dateless carpets of bluebells in spring and the beautiful specter of mellifluous chestnut tree canopy in summertime are as sorcerous to me now as they were as a five - year - old .
“ More latterly , my love of horticulture has come from spend time with knowledgeable and passionate Horticulturists .
“ This come from my first job working for a small garden design and maintenance caller in Bath to the Head Gardeners , Consultants and Curators I worked with since from the National Trust and beyond . ”
What Led You To A Career In Horticulture?
“ I started a life history in horticulture entirely by fortune at the historic period of 17 . Bored of formal training , I ( rightly ) failed my first yr of Sixth Form after not attend the bulk of my lessons – and all I knew was that I no longer wanted to be in a classroom .
“ I applied to a Level 2 Horticulture course at a local college and rapidly fell in beloved with the topic . It ’s worth saying that after spending a year or so cultivate in various gardens , I quickly became interested in the academic side of gardening .
“ Simply being allowed the space to try out it and get away from established education for a while allowed me to follow a vocational route that I chose for myself – one that I ’m sure I ’ll beat with for the repose of my life history . ”
Can You Tell Us About Your Role As Head Gardener At Lytes Cary Manor & Tintinhull Garden In Somerset?
“ As Head Gardener at Lytes Cary Manor and Tintinhull Garden , I am responsible for for the criminal maintenance and improvement of both gardens within their respective historical contexts , ” he shares .
“ Both are humanistic discipline and workmanship exhort gardens , characterised by garden room with sharp geometric tune in way of life , lawn and hedges , contrast with soft billowing planting in ( often very large ) borders .
“ Within this are the direction of faculty and military volunteer , budget , compliance requirements and liaising with stakeholders , contractors and other property departments .
“ It ’s worth making the point that a garden is only as good as the people maintaining it , and I am really lucky to have such a talented and attached squad working with me to develop these fantastic gardens .
“ One thing to keep in mind when managing two gardens in tandem , especially two gardens so similar in expressive style to each other , is to ensure that the two do n’t come to attend like copies of each other .
“ The best way to mitigate this is by researching and spending time in both gardens , getting to know their intricacies and single peculiarities . ”
What Is Your Favourite Time Of Year To Be In These Gardens?
“ It ’s a bit cliché , but my favourite clock time of twelvemonth in the garden is usually whatever time of yr it is when the interrogation is involve , ” Sam jokes .
“ natural spring is full of agitation , as the boundary line add up back to life with flowers and tonic leaf . summertime is a lovely time in the garden and all the hard work from the residual of the year so often peak in June .
“ Autumn is always such a beautiful season , with fantastic light in the afternoon further enhancing the stiff reds and yellows of the trees .
“ Winter is a time to plan and plant the garden , and with much less available on show , a well - planted winter garden often has a greater shock than an tantamount summer - focus show . ”
What Does Horticulture Mean To You?
“ Horticulture has give me so much over the past 8 age , ” he says .
“ Not only has it enable me to earn a bread and butter doing something I really love , it has given me both a creative and intellectual outlet , a substance to persist in learning and experimenting in an endlessly fascinating matter .
“ To have the perquisite to ferment in such beautiful post and the freedom to aid them develop is an absolute joy . I ca n’t think of anyone who would n’t be in some way well off for growing and horticulture . ”
What’s Next For You And The Gardens You Manage?
“ We ’re always face to amend the garden at both Lytes Cary and Tintinhull .
“ At Tintinhull , we have replanted the mediate garden , a garden way plantedmainly with shrubsandsmall Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , to increase the range of interesting and choice plants , as well as to restore the historic layout of the space .
“ This twelvemonth we ’re project to redesign a molding in the Cedar Court , another garden room , to tone up the vividness strategy and improve on the current planting .
“ At Lytes Cary , we ’re currently exploring methods of rainwater harvesting to sustainably ( and chintzily ) water the garden through our increasingly hot summers .
“ In addition to this , the squad and I have replanted the perimeter in the apostle garden to improve the layout as you first get in . In addition , the twelve topiary yew ‘ apostles ’ are due to be animate in the fountain to work them back to their historic sizing and shape and ensure they are in scale with the rest of that garden room . ”
What Advice Would You Give To Those Aspiring To A Career In Horticulture?
“ The advice I would give to anyone aspiring to a life history in gardening is to get as broad a kitchen stove of experience as you may , as well as go a agnize horticultural reservation , ” says Sam .
“ Applying for entry - level travail jobs with local garden maintenance companies or nursery is a gravid elbow room to memorise and get valuable experience , with some employers simply see for someone hardworking and keen to teach .
“ In an idealistic world , it ’s great to volunteer with an system such as the National Trust or RHS , though working for free is obviously not an option for a spate of the great unwashed .
“ If utilize for horticulture courses , it ’s a near idea to see how many grant are available to pay for it if you are n’t eligible for free didactics – the Professional Gardens Trustis a secure situation to start . ”
