Winter Lecture with Tom Coward

The Legacy of Wild Gardener William Robinson

Tom Coward has worked as a gardener from the age of 15 at various gardens, but it was at Great Dixter (as Fergus Garrett’s assistant) that he believed he really honed his horticultural skills and style. In 2010, Coward joined Gravetye Manor in Sussex, England and set about the restoration of the garden, a project that has been extremely rewarding for him as a gardener.

The historic gardens of Gravetye Manor were established in 1885 by writer and gardener William Robinson. Situated in the Ashdown Forest of Sussex— the basis of A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh books— this would become Robinson’s inspiration for the creation of the English natural or wild gardens. The English Flower Garden and The Wild Garden were Robinson’s most notable books on the topic. The meadows of Gravetye’s wild garden are composed of naturalized bulbs and perennials mixed with native wildflowers.

Building on his experience restoring the wild gardens of Gravetye, and drawing from the inspiration of North American meadows, Coward will describe his process of how he continues to develop the wild garden at Gravetye and how the concept might translate to our own gardens.

Copies of the newest version of The Wild Garden will be available for sale along with other horticulture books and gifts. In case of inclement weather, the Lecture will be held on Sunday, February 23 at 2 p.m.