As we say goodbye to summer for another year, begin to wrap up warm for autumn, tidy the garden and start planting bulbs in readiness for spring it seems about the right time to share this photoshoot. It’s early August and I’m catching up with TV presenter and plant expert Michael Perry, aka Mr Plant Geek, and radio host Ellen, from Ellen Mary Gardening who were working on a future episode of The Plant Based Podcast getting the real story behind the British flower movement.
“Can we meet at Gabriel’s Garden in Gissing?”
“Yes, of course Michael. Sounds great. What’s the plan?”
“Colour, tone on tone, contrast..”
“Fab, see you there, I’ll bring a few t-shirts to suit.”
I’ve never been to Gissing, I had not heard of Gabriel’s Garden before. So armed with t-shirts and sat nav plus the camera, children cared for (it was the summer holiday and we were just back from camping) I set off, intrigued.
Heading deep into the country side. The sat nav says I’ve arrived. I’m normally pretty good at finding places. A good sense of direction and all. Am I lost? I can’t see a cutting garden full of flowers so I head a bit further up the road. Hmmmmm….
“Michael, can you stand in the middle of the road please?”
I wasn’t far off, I could see Michael.
Tucked away in a little cul-de-sac, nestled behind a hedge, through a wooden gate takes you into an enchanted garden, "born from a lifelong love and passion of the countryside", full of roses, dahlia’s, Eryngium (it’s latin for something!), helichrysums and a forest of Ammi (or Bishops Weed to me and you) to name a few. Gently wandering between the flower beds, brushing through some eucalyptus, I meet Gabi and Ellen sat sipping tea on a bench. We are all dressed in blue, so the laughter begins. It’s going to be a good day. Whilst Michael, Ellen and Gabi record the podcast, I had a lovely time photographing the garden. It’s stunning, it’s relaxing and you completely lose yourself. With the podcast complete, it’s back to work to photograph Ellen and Michael. These two make a great team and I really enjoyed working with them both on this fun photoshoot.
The Plant Based Podcast is available to download from 7pm on Sunday 22nd September with lots of great tips from Gabi about producing cutting flowers.
Subscribe to https://theplantbasedpodcast.net/ on itunes or spotify
To visit Gabriel's Garden, please check the website for details https://www.gabrielsgarden.co.uk/
Keep up with Michael Perry at https://mrplantgeek.com/
Find out about Ellen at https://www.ellenmarygardening.co.uk/
For all photography enquiries please feel free to drop me a line at info@carolinehornesuffolkphotography.com