Last Updated on September 9, 2025 by Thompson & Morgan Horticultural Team
Image courtesy of Christina Carpenter
When Christina Carpenter moved into her Devonshire home two years ago, the garden was a complete blank canvas. Since then, Christina (also known as @lady_green_fingers) has transformed it into a vibrant, wildlife-friendly space bursting with flowers, homegrown veg, and unique upcycled projects. Discover how she created a tranquil haven for herself and the occasional hedgehog…
How did you get into gardening?
Images courtesy of Christina Carpenter
I’ve always loved being creative and spending time in nature, but my real passion for gardening started in our last home. It had a big, mature garden where I learned loads and really caught the gardening bug. Now, it’s a huge part of my life – it’s where I go to relax, unwind and connect with nature.
Tell us about your garden makeover
Christina’s garden before and after (images courtesy of Christina Carpenter)
When we moved here, the garden was mostly gravel with a little square of lawn – a proper blank canvas! Since then, I’ve reshaped the space into different ‘rooms’, added flower borders to create barriers, built raised beds, made a pond and re-laid the paths. It’s now full of flowers, plants, wildlife and homegrown food.
What inspires you in the garden?
Images courtesy of Christina Carpenter
Nature is my biggest inspiration, I love watching how plants and wildlife work together. I also get loads of ideas from visits to RHS gardens, National Trust gardens and from other gardeners I follow on Instagram. Seeing what others grow and create always inspires me and sparks new ideas.
What’s your favourite gardening style?
Images courtesy of Christina Carpenter
My favourite garden style is relaxed and natural. I love planting that feels a bit wild: lots of perennials, ornamental grasses and self-seeded annuals, with pops of colour that change through the seasons. And of course, plenty for the pollinators too.
What are you most proud of?
Images courtesy of Christina Carpenter
Definitely the wildlife! The pond is always busy with birds, bees and even frogs. We’ve had hedgehogs and a badger visit too. It makes me so happy knowing I’ve created a little haven for nature.
Tell us about your future plans
Images courtesy of Christina Carpenter
I want to keep experimenting with unusual veg varieties, save more of my own seeds each year and add even more perennial edibles. I’ve also got some fun upcycling projects planned to share on Instagram. Watch this space!
What’s your top gardening tip for beginners?
Look after your soil! Healthy soil makes happy plants. Add organic matter, avoid chemicals, and let nature do its thing – it makes such a difference.
Grow like Christina
Low-maintenance Allium sphaerocephalon is loved by pollinators
Image: Allium sphaerocephalon from Thompson & Morgan
If you’d like to grow the plants Christina showcases on her Instagram page, here are some of her favourite things:
You can follow Christina as her garden continues to evolve and flourish on Instagram at @lady_green_fingers. For more inspiration, our full series of Featured Gardeners is packed with 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.