As a horticulturist at RHS Garden Bridgewater, Ryan is helping to manage and develop areas within the garden’s many woodland spaces. Read our interview with him below. Portrait Jason Ingram.
Horticultural hero My grandad was the first person I remember being obsessed with gardening. His unbounded enthusiasm is what I aim to embody in my own work.
Three worthwhile tips Look after your soil and your soil will look after everything else. Resist the tidiness mentality of cutting your herbaceous perennials back in autumn and wait until the end of winter instead. Seedheads offer food, while foliage offers valuable habitat for overwintering wildlife. Gardening is a process, so don’t rush it and enjoy the little surprises that come along the way.
Dream plant destination I’ve always wanted to visit the Garden of Ninfa in Italy. The history and ethos of the garden are really interesting and I love the idea of nature regaining control over man-made structures but in a carefully gardened and romantic way.
Favourite planting style I’m drawn to styles that evoke natural landscapes and offer a chance for wildlife to thrive. Woodland-style plantings resonate with me. Plants that thrive in shade have a wonderfully subtle interest that I appreciate more than the boldness of sun-loving plants.
Biggest challenge for gardeners The unpredictability of weather. Last summer we recorded the hottest temperatures ever in the UK and had one of the driest summers on record. Whereas the previous year we had one of the wettest summers on record. This unpredictability is going to affect our plant and crop choices; we need plants that are robust enough to cope with these changes.
Horticultural principles Working with nature and not against it. Gardening with the earth and wildlife in mind. Our gardens act as green corridors that are as important for insects, birds and mammals as they are for us to enjoy.
One easy, sustainable thing we can do Water is the driving force of all nature, so collect rainwater with diverters and water butts. Re-use grey water in the garden where possible as long as it is not contaminated with strong chemicals. Implement a rain garden to collect storm water and prevent run-off. Add a small pond, and watch wildlife explode in your garden, and use organic mulches, such as compost or bark, in the garden to prevent the soil drying out too quickly.
Your next big project at Bridgewater The Scholar’s Garden at the centre of the Chinese Streamside Garden. There will be traditional Chinese pavilions and a pond, as well as an extensive Anglo-Chinese planting palette. The project is still in the planning phase but it’s one I am definitely looking forward to.