The Questions - Adam Woolcott

Adam Woolcott is one half of Woolcott and Adams, garden designers who have won four RHS Chelsea gold medals and three People's Choice Awards - which is no small achievement.  Adam is also the gardening expert for Webb Garden Machinery and I will soon be reviewing one of their products on the blog.

But you know me, dear reader, I am never going to miss up the chance to lure someone in to answer The Questions.

1

In which garden do you feel happiest?

Definitely my own, it’s private and quiet, where I find peace to unwind and where I can grow interesting and unusual things.

2.

If you could only have five garden-related tools, which would they be?

For hand tools, it would be:

Hoe

Rake

Edging Shears

 

For garden machinery it would have to be a lawnmower – the Webb WER460SP Classic 46cm Self Propelled Petrol Lawn Mower is my favourite – plus the Webb Eco 15cm Cordless Mini Chainsaw/Pruning Saw is very handy and comes with a Telescopic Pole Reach

3.

If you could only have five garden-related books, which would they be?

 

 

 

 

 

Plants from the Woods and Forests of Chile - Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh

Remarkable Trees - Harrison and Kirkham

Britain’s Tree Story - Julian Hight

The Gardening Year - Reader’s Digest 1968 - I used to read it all the time as a kid

RHS Botany for Gardeners

4.

What was the most defining moment in your life so far?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meeting my husband and then working with him to create gardens at Chelsea. Most incredible moment was 2007 when we won a Gold Medal at Chelsea, Best in Show and BBC / RHS People’s Award for Best Small Garden in Show for our rustic ‘Dig for Victory’ style garden. Awesome

5.

What are you most proud of?

 

 

My nephews, they constantly inspire and impress me with their drive and determination.

6.

If you won the lottery, what would you do?

 

Build a massive ‘Kew Garden’ style greenhouse and travel the world to stock it.

7.

Who are your garden heroes (no more than three)?

 

 

My Grandma, my mum and my husband. I’m lucky that I’ve inherited my family’s green fingers, they definitely got me interested and hooked on gardening at an early age.

8.

What skill would you like to learn and why? (does not have to be garden related).

Patience so I can take the time to learn the things I don’t already know.

9.

If you could visit any garden right this minute, which one would it be?

Buckingham Palace Gardens, I’ve always been curious to take a peek over the wall and see what’s there.

 

 

10.

What is your current plant obsession?

 

 

Palm trees, I have a passion for all palms and am keen to build on my Trachycarpus obsession. Already have lots of different species.

11.

Which garden tool is never far from your hand?

 

 

Secateurs, always in my back pocket

12.

What is your favourite gardening/plant related word?

Monocarpic

 

 

13.

What do you wish you could do better?

 

Grow hair on my head

 

 

14.

What is the most important lesson you have learned so far?

 

 

If you’re going to be honest with anybody, then be honest with yourself

15.

What makes a perfect day for you?

 

 

Blue sky, bird song, sunny spring days, wildflowers and peace to potter.

16

If you had one piece of advice to offer to someone what would it be?

 

 

 

Save for the future and indulge that urge to buy more plants

17.

Gnome or no gnome?

Definitely gnome. I even managed to sneak a garden gnome into my 2013 Chelsea Garden, gnomes were banned at the time, they never found out.

 

Well, you can imagine my delight at the answer to the gnome question.  There are no right or wrong answers with The Questions...... except for question 17.  

A huge thank you to Adam for kindly taking part and also to Julie Richards from Publicity Overload for facilitating.

More people who have answered The Questions can be found here: https://www.blackberrygarden.co.uk/p/the-sixteen-questions.html 

Take care and be kind.

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