In this weeks episode John chats with Des Doyle, garden designer, course creator and now author all about his new book "Growing Beauty". The conversation goes in many directions as Des sharing his gardening knowledge with us, we delve into sustainability, garden design, great plant combinations, gardening for mental health and so much more.

Discover the transformative power of gardening with the wisdom of Des Doyle, who returns to grace our show following his memorable insights from episode 53. With his new book "Growing Beauty" in hand, Des takes us on an intimate tour of his personal garden sanctuary, guiding us through the rhythmic dance of seasons and the intricate beauty of plant life. Our conversation blossoms, shedding light on creating spaces that resonate with their environment and the healing touch that comes with every leaf and petal.

Sustainability in gardening often seems like an elusive goal, but not when Des Doyle shares his approach to cultivating eco-conscious and historically resonant landscapes. We navigate the delicate balance between aesthetic allure and environmental responsibility, exploring the selection of robust plants like hellebores and the cautionary tale of trend-driven, resource-intensive species such as dahlias. This episode champions the virtues of supporting local nurseries and making garden choices that echo far beyond the confines of our own backyards, fostering a greener future for our communities and our world.

Des imparts his expertise on creating a garden that captivates across all seasons. From the strategic use of foliage to the interplay of light and shadow, we uncover the secrets to a perennially enchanting garden. Candida Firth McDonald and filmmaker Alan's contributions are celebrated for bringing "Growing Beauty" to life in book and film.

We round off the episode chatting about the restorative benefits of gardening and nature when it comes to mental health with Des chatting personally about how gardening helped him with his own mental health struggle a number of years ago.

"Growing Beauty" the superb first book by Des Doyle is available to purchase here:
https://gardenfable.com/product/growing-beauty-book/

You can also contact Des through his website here:
https://gardenfable.com/contact/

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

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