A Conversation With Pollyanna Wilkinson

What do you love the most about your job?

Well -it has to be said that I am completely obsessed with plants. So designing with them, and knowing that they are going to benefit not only the client but the landscape and wildlife too, is a huge reason I love my work. That said, I also absolutely love that I get to work with a wide range of people, from the wonderful clients to the landscapers, architects, interior designers and artisans I have the privilege of collaborating with.

What should homeowners take into account when considering the lighting scheme for their garden?

Less is more in my view. We don’t want it to be lit up like Heathrow. Lighting in a garden helps to eliminate the ‘black mirror’ effect which is so common when inside the house (particularly given our long dark winters).  But it also serves to highlight some of the key focal points of a garden -there is something so inviting about uplighting the stems of a multistem or casting light across a pathway.

How has the demand for Landscape Designer/Architects in the UK changed in the last 5-10 years?

Without question -and even more so in the last 18 months. Covid has seen a huge surge in interest in gardens and I’m delighted to hear that people are falling in love with their gardens, which may have been previously overlooked.

Are there any materials you particularly love incorporating, and others you steer clear of? E.g. natural v manmade, etc.

I am a huge fan of good quality natural materials, and in particular, I love Limestone and Yorkstone for paving, both in the buff and pale grey tones. I must say I am not a fan of artificial turf, which you can’t recycle and does nothing for wildlife.

What are your top three garden must-haves for a seamless indoor-outdoor living?

• Plenty of places to sit. Rather than keeping all seating spaces by the house, I like to include several different areas to sit in a garden to encourage you to use more of the space at different times of the day.
• Focal points are key. Views from the key windows and doors in the house are critical, as you’ll spend a lot of time looking from those particular angles. I want it to look inviting whether you are indoors or out.
• Reasons to use the garden. The garden needs to work for you and be tailored to your specific needs  – so it’s worth thinking about how you will actually use it, rather than just focusing on what it will look like. If you like to entertain, we need to make sure you have enough space to host. If you like to cook, we’ll look at outdoor kitchens.

What do you feel are the advantages of working with an Interior Designer/Architect on a project?

The main advantage, without question, is that the design of the house and garden will be harmonious, with elegant transitions from inside to out. Planning the outside at the same time as inside means views are considered and planned for as part of the design, rather than as an afterthought.

What’s your favourite public garden in the UK and why?

Great Dixter in Kent. I am an enormous fan of Lutyens and find the planting absolutely enchanting.

Lots of homeowners are investing in their outdoor space post-pandemic. How has this influenced what people are looking for when designing their gardens?

Most people now want their garden to be another useable ‘room’. Whereas before the priority was usually for something that looked good and was relatively low maintenance, I have seen a huge demand in making the garden more useable, whether by adding swimming pools, outdoor kitchens, home offices, even a skate ramp in one! Many city dwellers have roof gardens or terraces as opposed to ground floor gardens.

What design advice would you give those who wanted to elevate this kind of space?

The key with smaller urban spaces like this is not to go small with the elements in the space. Far better to go for large pots and planters which allow for plenty of planting, than small pots, which can feel cluttered. You can still have a really lush space on a roof terrace by introducing trees and large shrubs in oversize planters, to create your own oasis. The trick with roof terraces, which are exposed to the elements, is to think Mediterranean in your planting – so drought-tolerant planting such as Pines, Lavenders, Grasses, and Herbs for example.