Arthur Parkinson at Duckett’s Grove Historic House and Walled Gardens
Step into the enchanting world of Duckett’s Grove Historic House and Walled Gardens for a talk with bestselling author and UK gardening expert, Arthur Parkinson. Renowned for his book, “The Flower Yard,” Arthur brings a treasure trove of ideas and inspirations for gardening enthusiasts of all skill levels. Discover seasonal planting ideas and recommended varieties to spark creativity and create the perfect flower border.
Described by Sarah Raven, whom he regularly works for, as “intensely creative” this talk focuses on Arthur’s wealth of knowledge and flair as he shares his expertise on creating vibrant and ever-changing outdoor spaces. Heralded as one of the most influential new voices in UK gardening, insights from the creation of Emma Bridgewater’s raised bed garden at her pottery in Stroke-on-Trent will also form part of the talk.
Arthur unveils the secrets to curating a flower garden that thrives through the seasons, sharing his top plant varieties and innovative planting techniques designed to maximise beauty in your own outdoor space. Whether you’re an experienced gardener looking to elevate your gardening space or a novice, eager to learn more about flower gardening, this talk promises a wealth of knowledge to spark your creativity.
Directions: From Dublin/Waterford take Exit 4 off the M9 motorway. Follow signs for Castledermot, then take the R418 Castledermot – Tullow Road for 6km and turn right at the signed junction. From Carlow Town take the R726 Hacketstown Road for 10km to Killerig Cross. Turn left at this junction onto the R418 for 2.5km, turn left again at the signed junction.
Type of event: Indoors with opportunity to view the Duckett’s Grove gardens
About Arthur Parkinson
Arthur Parkinson trained at Kew Gardens and after graduating went to work for Sarah Raven at her farm in East Sussex to pursue his passion for growing cut flowers. He later became gardener for the potter, Emma Bridgewater, at her factory in Stoke-on-Trent. The garden he designed there, featuring his beloved chickens, received great acclaim and became the focus for his first book, The Pottery Gardener. In spring 2018, Arthur was named as one of the UK’s young gardening stars by Architectural Digest. Arthur writes for the Telegraph, taking his own photographs of flowers and poultry, and has appeared on BBC 2’s Gardeners’ World. He lives in Nottinghamshire but he still travels regularly to Sussex where he assists Sarah Raven with her floristry.
‘He is an intensely creative person and has a genius for making a flower border feel as rich and intense and integrated as any arrangement in a vase. It’s an exceptionally difficult skill, which is a product of great instinctive understanding, with a lot of hard work and knowledge of how plants behave.’
