Image courtesy of Luke Newnes
When Luke from @man_about_gardening moved into a new-build home in Shropshire, the garden was just a blank canvas. With curiosity and a lot of trial and error, he and his wife have transformed it into a cottage-style haven full of roses, dahlias, foxgloves and pollinator-friendly plants. From the central fountain to the vibrant companion planting, every corner bursts with life, colour and family memories. Discover how gardening became his passion and his top tip for making a small garden feel much bigger…
How did you get into gardening?
Luke’s garden before and after
Images courtesy of Luke Newnes
Gardening wasn’t something that grabbed my interest until later in life, but I seemed to develop the bug for it quickly. I don’t remember spending much time outdoors, surrounded by nature, as a child. Meeting my wife, who, alongside her family, has always been a keen gardener, inspired me to get involved too. Watching my children connect with the wonders of nature in our own garden, turning seedlings of their own into delicious strawberries, was also magical for me!
My family and I moved into our new-build house in Shropshire, which excitingly had a blank canvas garden – the possibilities for transformation were endless. Between us, my wife and I love nothing more than coming up with new ideas, and putting them into practice has helped us turn a basic lawn and garden path into a garden bursting with life and colour that the whole family can enjoy.
What inspires you in the garden?
Golden sunlight casting a glow over Luke’s garden sanctuary
Images courtesy of Luke Newnes
I’m endlessly inspired by nature and all it offers. Planting tulips on a cold November day and later enjoying their gorgeous blooms in the spring truly fascinates me. Flowers and plants are magical and I love to watch them grow and become a part of nature – having them in my garden is an added bonus. Not only do I love the beauty that they add to an environment, but the scent some plants give is wonderful and you don’t need a large space to enjoy them.
Wildlife is also a massive source of inspiration for me, so much so that even my kids have become eco-warriors at school. Anything that highlights the importance of wildlife and how we can help it thrive is something I’m deeply passionate about. I’ll often sit and watch bumblebees hard at work – it feels so special.
Most importantly, gardening has helped to heal me. As someone living with Crohn’s, managing stress can feel like a constant battle, but spending time in the garden relaxes my mind and supports my mental health. It has truly become my favourite place.
What’s your favourite gardening style?
Delicate pink roses blooming in the sunshine
Image courtesy of Luke Newnes
I love cottage gardens because they make the most of all of the available space. Roses are my absolute favourite – romantic, delicate and with a scent that is simply unbeatable. Companion planting plays a big role in my garden; I enjoy mixing salvias, nepeta and foxgloves in the borders so they complement one another beautifully. I’m especially drawn to pink flowers, particularly dahlias like ‘Cafe au Lait’ and ‘Penhill Watermelon’ which bring stunning late-summer colour.
What are you most proud of?
Foxgloves framing the central fountain in Luke’s dream garden
Images courtesy of Luke Newnes
I’m most proud of the work my wife and I have put into transforming our garden from a blank canvas into the garden of our dreams. There’s nothing quite like sitting among the beautifully blooming flowers on a warm summer evening and seeing everything we’ve achieved. The fountain in the centre has become a true focal point and I take great pride in watching the space around it transform. The joy our garden brings me is something I feel incredibly lucky to be able to share with others on social media.
What’s your top gardening tip for beginners?
Luke’s garden gets the seal of approval from his three little helpers
Images courtesy of Luke Newnes
I have a few helpful tips if you’re just beginning your gardening journey:
- Familiarise yourself: Spend time getting to know your garden so you can get the most out of it.
- Think about what it is you want: Gardens should be enjoyed. Think about the colours and textures you want around you. If you’re ever in doubt about growing something, give it a go because it may lead to the most beautiful of surprises.
- Add height: I always encourage other gardeners to add height. I added a pergola, but simply adding trees can be a great way to make your garden feel bigger, as it draws your attention upwards giving the illusion of more space.
- Enjoy it: The most important advice I can give to anyone is simply to have fun and enjoy creating something special and unique to you.
Tell us about your future plans
Luke planting up a terracotta container
Image courtesy of Luke Newnes
We’ve recently removed the lawn and laid a new Cotswold stone patio, and we’re thrilled with the result. Our garden is north-facing, so sunlight is limited throughout the day. Over the past year, I’ve spent time getting to know the space; I now understand which areas receive the most sunlight and what grows best where.
I can’t wait to make the most of our garden next year. I’m excited to experiment with different ways to use the space and get the very best from our plants. To me, gardening is all about learning and adapting; if something doesn’t work the first time, there’s always the chance to try again!
Grow like Luke
Image: Dahlia ‘Cafe Au Lait’ from Thompson & Morgan
If you’d like to grow the plants and flowers Luke showcases on his Instagram page, here are some of his favourites:
You can follow Luke as his garden continues to evolve and flourish on Instagram at @man_about_gardening. 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.