by Thompson & Morgan | Jun 8, 2026 | Featured Gardener, Gardening Posts
When Laura from @lauras_little_cottage_garden moved into a new-build with a blank canvas garden, she had no idea that a whole new chapter was about to begin! As well as a new home and a new baby, Laura decided to study for an RHS Level 2 qualification and became a career-change gardener. The proud owner of a thriving cottage garden and busy allotment, find out what she’s trying for the first time this year…
How did you get into gardening?
Images courtesy of Laura Woolley
I’m a career change gardener, creating a cottage garden aesthetic in my small (fairly) new-build plot in Milton Keynes. I also have an allotment plot which I use to grow cut flowers for arranging at home, alongside a little bit of fruit and veg.
Our small garden (11m x 9m) was a blank canvas when we moved in, and during maternity leave with my first son I really got stuck into trying to transform the space. I started growing a few things from seed and from there I became totally hooked!
After being made redundant during the national lockdown, I decided it might be a good opportunity to retrain. I attended Shuttleworth College one day a week to study my RHS Level 2 qualification. Following that I became a member of the WFGA, and completed my WRAGs certificate at Kingsbridge Farm. I’ve now been trading as a self-employed gardener for 3 years and I absolutely love it!
What inspires you in the garden?
Images courtesy of Laura Woolley
I’m passionate about providing for pollinators and creating a safe habitat for local wildlife. If the garden is filled with bees, butterflies and birds, it makes the space feel full of life and is much more enjoyable! We currently have a family of great tits in our nest box and it’s so lovely to watch them nest building whilst we sit and eat our breakfast.
I’m completely hooked on growing from seed! I find so much joy in nurturing life and witnessing the transformation of a seed into a flower or vegetable. You can also grow some exceptionally beautiful varieties that you just can’t find in the garden centres.
I also love the challenge of gardening each of the different areas. I have a deep shade area that I enjoy trying to make as interesting and flower-filled as possible. In stark contrast, I also have container areas that are in full sun and tricky to get right! I love being forced to come up with new ideas about what might work best in these different situations.
What do you like to grow?
Images courtesy of Laura Woolley
I use the garden as an opportunity to surround myself with my favourite colours and scents. I have a colour palette of pink, peach, purple, and white; roses are my favourite because of their delicious scent. I think fragrance is so important to the senses, so to sit in the garden surrounded by beauty and scent is the best feeling!
I also love to grow cut flowers because locally and organically grown blooms are better for the environment. I find a lot of joy in cutting and arranging flowers; it’s such a mindful act, and it brings me a moment of calm in a busy world!
What’s your favourite gardening style?
Images courtesy of Laura Woolley
Cottage gardens are my absolute favourite – I love the abundance of pollinator-friendly plants packed into a small space, making it feel even more intimate. They’re also more informal, and I love that wild look when everything’s in full swing (usually in late summer).
This style suits me because packed borders means I never need to weed and that’s a huge bonus! I absolutely love cottage garden plants such as Roses, Foxgloves, Aquilegia, Alliums & Hardy Geraniums to name just a few! I also really like that cottage gardens allow you to incorporate upcycled or vintage pieces as planters, adding character to new-build plots.
I embrace the self-seeders in my garden, saving me the time and energy of growing from seed and planting out. These are stronger, more vigorous plants better suited to my growing conditions, and I’m here for it!
What are you most proud of?
Images courtesy of Laura Woolley
I think I’d have to say that I’m most proud of my spring bulb display and my hellebore collection. Hellebores are a huge passion of mine. I absolutely love that they give you that floral hit in the depths of winter, just when you need it most. They come in such a variety of different shapes and colours – the frilly doubles are my favourite! Every time I see a variety I don’t have I end up buying it and, for that reason, I’ve got a large number of them in my garden.
Spring is my favourite season so I like to welcome it with a bang! I like to have lots of spring bulbs right by my back door where I can admire them. I really enjoy planning my spring bulb display every year and find it so rewarding when they come into bloom. I like to include early and late flowering varieties in my bulb displays so that I can extend the season for as long as possible. I cram as many bulbs into the container as possible, without them touching, so that my displays have the biggest impact. My favourite varieties are the late double tulips, which look like peonies. In fact, I have a thing for all double flowers; they’re so beautiful!
What are your future plans?
Images courtesy of Laura Woolley
I haven’t got any immediate future plans for the garden, but I’m trying a few new things at the allotment this year. I’m finally making sense of my extra large beds by dividing them up with some simple brick paths. This means that I won’t be compacting the soil by walking across it anymore, and the smaller spaces will be used to grow different crops or flowers in each season.
I’m also trying some darker coloured dahlias this year! Usually, I like to stick to my pastel shades, but I think the darker shades will bring something extra to my autumn arrangements. I’m excited to watch them grow and work them into my mantle vase.
What’s your top gardening tip for beginners?
Images courtesy of Laura Woolley
My top gardening tip for beginners would be to invest in your soil! Improving soil health is the best thing you can do for your garden. I make sure I mulch all my beds and borders once a year and it makes such a difference! The thick layer of organic matter gets dragged down into the soil by the worms over time, improving the soil structure. Plants grown in healthy soil are stronger and better able to fight off pests & disease. Mulching also helps the soil to retain moisture, something that’s becoming more and more vital during these increasing periods of drought.
I would also encourage anyone starting out to grow the plants they love. Your garden should make you happy, so focus on your favourite colours, textures, flowers, shrubs, trees etc & build a garden that fills you with joy!
Grow like Laura
If you’d like to grow the plants and flowers Laura showcases on her Instagram page, here are some of her favourites:
Follow Laura at @lauras_little_cottage_garden to see her garden grow and change through the seasons. For more inspiration, our full series of Featured Gardeners contains a wealth of hugely knowledgeable growers who are also worth a follow.
The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.
by Thompson & Morgan | May 18, 2026 | Gardening Posts, Roses
Caroline Quentin is ‘chuffed to bits’ with her new rose
Image credit: Jonathan Ward
Thompson & Morgan is proud to launch a beautiful new rose named in honour of actress, presenter and passionate gardener Caroline Quentin, making its debut at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026.
Caroline’s Rose Unveiled At The Chelsea Flower Show
The ‘Caroline Quentin‘ rose officially unveiled at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026
The rose has now been officially unveiled at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 on the Sparsholt College Stand, with Caroline attending the launch in person.
Rose ‘Caroline Quentin’ is an elegant, richly fragrant floribunda with soft pink double blooms, glossy dark green foliage and an intense floral perfume. Compact in habit yet abundant in flowers, it has been bred for modern gardens and flowers repeatedly throughout the season.
Inspired by Caroline’s lifelong love of gardening and her creative platform, CQ Gardens, the rose reflects her signature style: romantic, artistic and deeply connected to the joy of outdoor living. When speaking with Thompson & Morgan, Caroline Quentin said:
“I am chuffed to bits to have the prettiest, pinkest, sweetest perfumed rose I’ve ever seen, named after me. To think that this gorgeous rose will carry my name into the future is incredibly moving and such an honour.”
The ‘Caroline Quentin‘ rose is an elegant, richly fragrant floribunda
In Support Of St Peter’s Hospice
As part of the launch of the beautiful new Caroline Quentin rose, Thompson & Morgan is proud to support St Peter’s Hospice. A charity that holds special significance for Caroline herself. For every rose sold, £1 will be donated directly to the hospice, helping to fund the vital care and support it provides to individuals and families facing life-limiting illness.
“We’re delighted to be part of the launch of this beautiful new rose. Partnerships like this help us continue providing compassionate care and support to patients and families facing the hardest of times. Thank you to Thomson and Morgan and to Caroline Quentin, who has been a great supporter of ours over many years.”
“Every purchase will not only brighten gardens, but also help make a real difference to the people in our community who need our support. We’re incredibly grateful that a percentage of sales will be donated to St Peter’s Hospice, helping us continue our vital work.”
Through this collaboration, every Rose ‘Caroline Quentin’ purchased will help bring comfort, care and support to local families, making each bloom a meaningful contribution to an important cause.
Caroline Quentin making friends at RHS Chelsea 2026
Image credit: Jonathan Ward
The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.
by Thompson & Morgan | May 11, 2026 | Gardening Posts
Image courtesy of Gina Mellard
When Gina from @ginas_flower_garden moved to the countryside with newborn twins and a toddler, gardening quickly became more than just a way to fill time at home. It developed into a full-blown love affair with flowers and a desire to create a fairy tale sanctuary for herself and her children. Read on to learn more…
How did you get into gardening?
Images courtesy of Gina Mellard
I started gardening after relocating to the countryside. I had baby twins and a toddler, so I spent a lot of time at home. In the first year, I started off simple, just growing wildflowers and sunflowers. Since then, I’ve completely fallen in love with growing flowers and try to grow as much as I can! I always dreamt of creating my own rose garden – like the ones you see in stately homes – and being able to do so has been a dream come true. My garden has always been my sanctuary and I love it!
What inspires you in the garden?
Images courtesy of Gina Mellard
I want to create the most beautiful garden for my children to grow up in, something you’d find in a fairy tale, where a Disney princess would go. I appreciate every single flower in each season and always have a really special flower or plant that I focus on each month.
Cherry blossom season is my favourite, but I enjoy different seasons for different reasons. June is when I get to enjoy my roses, and then later in the summer is all about my beautiful hydrangeas and dahlias.
I adore being able to walk around my own garden and cut a fresh, eco-friendly bouquet of blooms; there’s something so therapeutic about arranging your own flowers.
What’s your favourite gardening style?
Images courtesy of Gina Mellard
I love cottage gardens, but with a modern twist! My garden is full of cottage garden classics, but I also welcome other beautiful varieties. So while I have many roses, foxgloves, and other traditional cottage garden flowers, I also love growing plants like lilies and fatsias!
Each year I discover new gardening styles and plants, and I’ve recently discovered pond plants. One thing that is never likely to change is that I want as much pink as possible!
What are you most proud of?
Image courtesy of Gina Mellard
My rose collection is my pride and joy; I now have over 60 roses in beautiful shades of pink, white and blue. I planted most of them 3 years ago as bare roots, and watching them develop has been so special.
Each year, I like to add to the perennial planting; my peonies are absolutely thriving, which makes June incredible. I remember walking up and down the garden with my double pram, digging up bits of the border and planting new varieties. The fact that I was able to start and grow my own beautiful rose garden while taking care of my babies is something I’m so proud of. Without them I wouldn’t have started it!
What are your future plans?
Images courtesy of Gina Mellard
A lot of the garden still needs work. Gardens take time, and I’m at the stage where I’m happy to wait for things to mature. The plan is to keep adding more perennials and also some nice shrubs. I also have an allotment, which is a big focus for me now, too. I’ve started adding fruit – raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, grapes and much more!
What’s your top gardening tip for beginners?
Images courtesy of Gina Mellard
My top tip for beginner gardeners is to start with one border at a time and try to enjoy the journey! Think about screening and structure first, too. It’s important not to put too much pressure on yourself, as plants can always be moved. Gardens are always changing and I know that my garden will never be finished. Also, remember that there are no ‘rules’; it’s your garden, so what matters most is making sure you like it. Concentrate on making a garden that brings you joy and makes your heart feel happy.
Grow like Gina
If you’d like to grow the plants and flowers Gina showcases on her Instagram page, here are some of her favourites:
Follow Gina at @ginas_flower_garden to see how she continues to grow, inspire, and make the most of every inch of her garden. For more inspiration, our full series of Featured Gardeners contains a wealth of hugely knowledgeable growers who are also worth a follow.
The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.
by Thompson & Morgan | May 6, 2026 | Gardening News, Gardening Posts
We’re thrilled to announce that two of our latest plant introductions have been shortlisted for the prestigious RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year Award 2026. This accolade recognises the very best in breeding, performance, and garden appeal. Read on to learn more about the groundbreaking plants that caught the judges’ eyes…
In the meantime, see all of our award-winning plants and flowers.
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The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.
by Thompson & Morgan | Apr 27, 2026 | Competitions, Flowers, Gardening News, Gardening Posts
We’re looking for the tallest sunflower in the country! If you’ve got a green thumb and a sunny spot, you could win a £250 Thompson & Morgan voucher. Sow your seeds as soon as they arrive and support them as they grow. You have until noon on the 5th October 2026 to reach for the sky!
Sorry, the free seeds have all gone, but you can buy them here if you want to take part: ‘High Hopes’ Sunflower Seeds.
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The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.
