Whether you’re planting your first collection of bulbs this year or you’re landscaping an ambitious oasis, the right kit really helps us to dig down and get in the swing of things. After all, it’s not just having the right trowel or hoe that matters; it’s the inspiration – and often good advice – that comes courtesy of the very best purveyors of garden necessities that can also prove invaluable (and often free; you can read their blogs and follow their Instagram accounts without any obligation to buy.) These are the brands we especially love.
By Nancy Alsop
Updated April 2024
The Best Brands For Gardeners
Whether country garden or urban idyll, seasoned gardener or novice: these are the brands to know when toiling in your oasis.
Sarah Raven
Queen of the cut flower, Sarah Raven’s trajectory into professional gardening was as meandering as her beautiful creation at Perch Hill, Sussex. A former doctor, she created a cutting garden whilst on maternity leave, which she quickly followed up with a stint volunteering at Great Dixter – and with that, she was hooked. Today, her legions of fans can join the gardener, author and redeemer of the humble dahlia for cookery and gardening courses at her home – but if that’s not on the cards, you can always shop her lovely collections online.
Gardenesque
Gardenesque, a small family business that began in London before decamping to the Cotswolds, believes that ‘every garden is a story brought to life by the landscape you create and plants you nurture within it, as well as the people and occasions you host.’ We love its commitment to sustainability – as well as its beautiful products which accentuate the beauty in nature.
The RHS
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s foremost charity gardening charity, aiming to inspire a passion for growing and to demonstrate the positive impact of gardening, both on mental health and the environment. Its website is a treasure trove of fantastic advice – as well as offering a superior selection of gardening accoutrements.
Life of Riley
Founded by Sarah Kocher in 2007, Life of Riley is dedicated to stylish luxury leather gifts. We love its gardening collection, not least because it will only get better with age.
Garden Trading
Founded in 1994, Garden Trading started out making fresh garden products for leading retailers. Since then, it has gone on to expand into a whole range of homewares too, all from its Oxfordshire base. But we still love its garden goodies most of all.
Norfolk Natural Living
Slow luxury and wellbeing are the central tenets of Norfolk Natural Living, a sublime shop founded by Bella Middleton, who bottles every formulation by hand. Based in Holt, North Norfolk, she says, ‘our all-natural range is the embodiment of my passion for the Norfolk countryside and coast which is a constant source of inspiration.’ The garden range is brilliant, from natural plant food to tool maintenance to insect repellent.
By
Nancy Alsop
·
April 2023
Nancy is a magpie for the best in design and culture.
