Spotted on his instagram, the phlomis, convolvulus and sages in Pearson’s new sand garden are all covered by intriguing ‘protective bonnets’. On request, the landscape designer, horticulturalist, gardener and writer, kindly revealed that they were simply: “Hanging baskets and a double layer of fleece”. Ingenious.
Dan Pearson’s work is characterised by an innate sensitivity to place, an intuitive and light-handed approach to design, bold and painterly naturalistic plantings and deep-rooted horticultural knowledge. He trained in horticulture at RHS Gardens’ Wisley, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Jerusalem Botanical Gardens and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He has been practising as a landscape and garden designer since 1987.
Pearson is a Fellow of the Society of Garden Designers (FSGD), an honorary fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (Hon FRIBA) and a Royal Designer for Industry (RDI). Since 2014 he has been a Garden Advisor to the National Trust at Sissinghurst Castle. He has designed award-winning show gardens at RHS Chelsea and in 2015, for Chatsworth and Laurent Perrier he was awarded Gold and Best in Show. In 2022 he was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.
Pearson’s blog – Dig Delve which is primarily about Hillside Garden with photography by Huw Morgan, is highly recommended.