Image courtesy of Sammy Stringer
When Sammy (@insammysgarden_) bought her first home in 2019, she had zero gardening experience. Fast forward a few years and she’s transformed her corner-plot garden into a cottage-style haven filled with dahlias, foxgloves, and pollinator-friendly plants – and even picked up medals at RHS and BBC Gardeners’ World Live shows. Discover how she went from beginner to award winner, and why her next challenge is creating a 100% pink paradise at home…
How did you get into gardening?
Sammy’s cottage-style borders in full bloom
Images courtesy of Sammy Stringer
My partner and I bought our first home in 2019. It was a corner plot with a huge garden – and I had zero gardening experience. Someone had to give it a go, and that someone was me. I taught myself everything, gaining knowledge from magazines and from watching Gardeners’ World. That’s when the gardening obsession really began.
Now, a few years later, I love inspiring others to get into gardening. Opening yourself up to the world of nature is something everyone should try – especially if you have a garden.
What inspires you in the garden?
Bees enjoying Sammy’s alliums in the summer sunshine
Images courtesy of Sammy Stringer
I love when nature visits – watching the bees and butterflies pollinate my home-grown seeds, and the birds coming to the feeders or my pond.
I’m also inspired by the use of colour in the garden. I love how it brings a sense of homeliness while also creating a calming, zen space to relax in during the summer.
What’s your favourite gardening style?
Evening light casting a glow over Sammy’s flower beds
Images courtesy of Sammy Stringer
I’d say my garden is planted in the cottage style. I love foxgloves and delphiniums, but I also love dahlias… they’re my favourite.
My garden is full of perennials, but while I’m waiting for them to establish, I fill the gaps with annuals such as cosmos – usually ones I grow myself. It’s always a proud moment when they begin to flower.
I’m also a big fan of hydrangea paniculata and have a few of those in my garden. So really, I’m not sure what planting style I have – I guess it’s just my style!
What are you most proud of?
Sammy’s gold winning BBC Gardeners’ World Live garden
Image courtesy of Sammy Stringer
Along the way, I’ve fallen in love with garden shows. Exhibiting in one for the first time was a huge accomplishment – especially with zero qualifications in the horticultural industry.
In 2024, I created an RHS LongBorder for the RHS Tatton Flower Show and won Silver. Then in 2025, I designed a showcase garden for BBC Gardeners’ World Live, where I was awarded Gold.
I’m also super proud of my own garden. It’s become a wonderful space to enjoy with family and friends in the summer, and I’m very proud of how it looks so far.
Tell us about your future plans
Sammy’s layered planting style creates a lush, cottage garden look
Images courtesy of Sammy Stringer
Both of my show gardens were fully pink, and I’d love to recreate something similar at home. I aim to change my planting to almost entirely pink – that’s my goal! That way, when people ask if my garden looks like my show garden, I can finally say yes.
I’d also love to create another show garden, keep growing my pink trademark, and continue inspiring others. Inspiring people to get into gardening is a real passion of mine – that’s why I started my Instagram account. It’s such a great platform, and I’ve met so many wonderful people on my gardening journey online.
What’s your top gardening tip for beginners?
Sammy’s garden blends structure with bursts of pink blooms
Images courtesy of Sammy Stringer
I have a few simple tricks if you’re just starting out:
Right plant, right place: Track the sun and notice how much of it each area gets, then plant accordingly. If you have a shady garden, choose plants that thrive in shade – they’ll do so much better. For sunny spots, plants will soon show you when they’re happy in their position.
Grow your knowledge: I always read gardening magazines on my breaks at work – it helps me switch off and relax, while also building my knowledge on topics I want to learn more about.
Follow fellow gardeners: Follow social accounts like mine for all the tips and tricks, we learn the hard way so you don’t have to! I love sharing the best way to do things in a garden, from seed sowing, dividing and planting up.
Learn by doing: Don’t worry if something doesn’t work out, you can always try again.
Grow like Sammy
Image: Hydrangea paniculata ‘Vanille Fraise’ from Thompson & Morgan (© Dreamstime)
If you’d like to grow the plants Sammy showcases on her Instagram page, here are some of her favourites:
Want to see how Sammy’s pink paradise plans unfold? Follow her journey on Instagram at @insammysgarden_. 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.