Jacquie Felix - Mitchell is the beginner of Oasis Garden Design , an artisan garden conception studio apartment ground in Devon .
She is also a public verbalizer and has host consequence at RHS Chelsea Flower Show , as well as write for a routine of UK gardening publications .
Read on for my conversation with Jacquie as we explore her career in her own words .
What Are Your Earliest Memories Of Gardening?
“ My earlier memories of horticulture are in the modest back yard of the house where I grew up in Bristol , ” Jacquie says .
“ My parents come up from the West Indies in response to the call for masses to add up and work here to fill the spread in the toil market . My parent get tomatoes , blue runner beansand other veggie .
“ I was more concerned in growing a lawn . With my male parent ’s permit , I bought some green goddess seeds , glance over over some of the soil and planted them , full of hope and expectation .
“ Years later , when I had my own home , I started to break more of an interest in architectural plant particularly . ”
What Led You To A Career In Garden Design?
“ A alum of English and European Literature , I antecedently worked in PR and communication , with part let in forge for a London upmarket glossy , a Bristol design government agency , a bombastic Metropolitan Borough Council in Yorkshire , The BBC and Criminal Justice in Devon .
“ Garden wise , whilst working in PR in Devon , I had a court garden , where I experiment with evergreen planting in particular , before move on to the garden go to the backstage of a former strait-laced villa , where I lived in South Devon .
“ I rise this garden into an haven of architectural planting which jostle for care with English Country favourites . It was an designer friend who ab initio suggested that I move into garden design .
“ I brushed off the idea ab initio , for fear of ruining my love of all things garden , before afford it some serious consideration . I convey the plunge and did a garden aim course at Bicton College in east Devon and an RHS course of instruction in Practical Horticulture at RHS Rosemoor .
“ After that , I set up up shop class as it were and start my artisan garden blueprint studio , Oasis Garden Design , found in Devon . ”
What Does Your Process For Designing Gardens Look Like? What Are You Inspired By?
“ I always set out with the node , ” she explain .
“ I send them an initial questionnaire to scope their needs and wishes , likes and disapproval , as well as an reliable look at their budget , which of course has an influence on the design .
“ This , together with scoping the garden , its aspect and surroundings , is crucial . It ’s also important to have a really good initial Old World chat with the guest . You have to feel that you could both make for together well and have a good human relationship .
“ Inspiration can sometimes come from the smallest thing , from the fashion of the household , the curve of the res publica , the guest ’s favourite color or sideline . ”
Do You Have A Particular Favourite Memory Of A Garden You Have Designed?
“ I think the first garden I project for a guest has to be one of my front-runner , ” Jacquie says .
“ Theupright silver birchthat I used bothfor interest and screeningin this cottage garden in Totnes grows into gorgeousness each twelvemonth .
“ I ’m also rather proud of the artistic creation art deco - inspired whole step I designed for a much big plot elsewhere , in a project where I learned the importance of communication between node , designer and landscaper .
“ I particularly enjoyed designing planting plan for a large walled garden belong to to a attribute in the New Forest . ”
What Does A Typical Working Day In The Life Look Like For You?
“ I work part - time as a Garden Designer , ” she explains . “ A working day could need discussing a likely newfangled design with a customer and web site visits to scope a intention , before going back to my sheepherder hut to work on a innovation .
“ I use a miscellanea of hand drawing and reckoner - assist design to rise visuals and concepts . I also expend prison term putting mood boards together for clients , creating garden reference reports , and develop information for landscapist – when severe landscape gardening features in a garden design .
“ I also do occasional workshops . I do quite a lot of garden intention talk and presentations for groups and organisations , which admit garden club , the Women ’s Institute , U3A and others .
“ I loved the public lecture I did at Toby Buckland ’s Spring Garden Festival – Toby Fest – at Powderham in Devon this class . It went down a storm with visitant .
“ I have also host the award - bring home the bacon Blue Peter soil garden , designed by Juliet Sargeantat RHS Chelsea 2022 . So as you may see , I do n’t really have a distinctive Clarence Day ! ”
Do You Have Any Secret Tips Or Hacks For The Garden?
“ The closed book to a good garden ? repeat , repetition , repeating . ”
What’s Next For You?
“ I ’m currently work on on a reasonably modest project to create a low - maintenance , accessible garden for a customer with limited mobility , ” Jacquie share .
“ It celebrates a Balinese vogue and level changes . I ’ve just completed the design phase and the build is due to begin in the Modern class . ”
What Does Gardening Mean To You?
“ I have lived by the compose and talk word for most of my life history , yet when postulate why I love gardening , I am often overwhelmed and have to pause before I respond .
“ It ’s the notion of delight , peace and freedom that horticulture give me . It meet my soul with a tranquil and release , and arrant contentment . ”
