Image courtesy of @beardygardener
The link between nature and wellbeing is often discussed, but award-winning garden designer Leigh Johnstone, aka @beardygardener, makes positive mental health a central theme of all his projects. Crafting gardens that specifically soothe and restore, this popular Instagrammer explains how the act of gardening has helped him to find clarity and ground himself when times are tough. Find out how this inspirational mental health campaigner uses his horticultural knowledge to help others…
What inspires you in the garden?
Images courtesy of @beardygardener
What inspires me in the garden is the simple, yet profound connection it fosters with the natural world. The garden inspires me through its rhythm and resilience, watching the way the wind moves through the trees or observing how plants grow and respond to the seasons constantly reminds me of nature’s quiet, yet unshakeable, power. It’s a constant cycle of renewal and adaptation, and it motivates me to stay grounded, especially when I am feeling at my lowest. Gardening brings me back to myself, helps me find clarity, and fuels my sense of purpose – whether I’m nurturing plants, connecting with the land, or engaging with others who share the same passion.
What’s your favourite style?
Images courtesy of @beardygardener
My gardening style is very naturalistic. I love when plants are allowed to grow freely, creating a soft, flowing, and relaxed atmosphere. Neatness and order aren’t my thing, and I don’t have a lawn – getting rid of it was one of the first things I did when I moved into my house.
For me, a garden should feel like a natural extension of the landscape, where life can unfold without too much human control. It’s about capturing the essence of the wider world, bringing a little piece of nature right into my backyard. I’m drawn to lush greenery – did you know the human eye perceives more shades of green than any other colour? As for flowers, I’m not too concerned with bright, bold blooms; I tend to gravitate towards whites and purples. Earthy, muted tones are what really resonate with me.
What are you most proud of?
Image courtesy of @beardygardener
I’m most proud of two things. The first would have to be my Gold medal winning show garden that I designed for BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair in 2024. This was my first judged garden and focused on how our national parks, specifically the New Forest, can be an important part of improving the wellbeing of the nation.
The second was an urban community project – the transformation of an unloved space right in the middle of a social housing estate. I was commissioned by Sovereign Housing Association to transform two overgrown spaces in Basingstoke that had been forgotten about for many years. The housing association wanted residents to get involved in a project which put some love back into the area. Everything was community focused, which is important when creating urban gardens in local neighbourhoods. I spent several days consulting with residents, listening to planting ideas, colours and textures etc. Then we came up with three designs that went to a public vote. I held a clearing and planting day with residents, and we had a launch event at the end of summer. It was such a wholesome project.
What are your future plans?
This year I’m spending a lot of time working with housing associations to regenerate more of their unloved green spaces (and there are a lot). The first will be with Abri Housing Association at two sites in Bracknell. I’m also working on a great project with the Naval Children’s Charity down in Portsmouth, working with several groups of young people to co-design a small patch of garden in a local park, with youth wellbeing a central theme.
I’ll be hosting the ‘Give it a Grow’ stage at RHS Malvern Spring Festival, maybe a little something at BBC Gardeners’ World Live and then who knows what else may come up.
Top gardening tip
Strawberry plug plants are a good way to get started
Image: Strawberry plug plants from T&M
I’d recommend not getting too caught up in learning Latin names for plants right away – that can come later. Focus instead on growing what you enjoy, not just what you think you should grow. If you’re not passionate about the results, you’ll lose motivation.
Start with something simple, like herbs in a window box or tomatoes in a grow bag. And don’t feel guilty about buying plug plants – it’s not cheating! There’s often a misconception that true gardening only happens when you grow everything from seed. But there’s nothing wrong with buying established plants, like strawberry plants, and potting them up. You’re still gardening, even if you’re not starting from scratch.
Grow like Leigh
Lush foliage and tactile grasses lend texture and movement to gardens
Image: Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Black Beauty’ from T&M
If you want to buy some of the plants Leigh showcases on his Insta page, here’s a quick shopping list:
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about Leigh Johnstone from @beardygardener. If you want to read about other inspirational growers, check out our series of #tmfeaturedgardens over on Instagram.
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