Kylie Minogue’s hit single ‘Padam Padam’ has won the 2024 Grammy for Best Pop Dance Recording. Few know that the song was co-written and produced by Peter Rycroft, the son of none other than, our very own gardener, author and queen of container gardening – Harriet Rycroft.
Through her blog, social media activity and books, Harriet’s gardening skills, creations and (pot) displays are well known. A ‘career-change gardener’, Rycroft came to horticulture only after her sons were born, studying part-time for her new vocation when the boys were young. From volunteering at Hidcote Manor Gardens, she became Whichford Pottery’s Head Gardener, where she worked for 13 years. All the while, taking care of her boys which in Peter’s case meant driving him to piano lessons from the age of six, then drum lessons and to high school band practices in Chipping Campden.
“We are massively proud because he works very hard and is very successful but still the same lovely human being’, said Harriet. A mother’s work is never done, as she added laughing, “Speaking as a mother I was very glad that he had got himself a properly smart outfit for the occasion!”.
The now Grammy award winning, Peter Rycroft (a.k.a Lostboy) is a successful songwriter and pop music producer. He wrote Kylie’s 2023 hit single with Norwegian singer and songwriter, Ina Wroldsen and produced the song. Rycroft was also nominated in the same category for writing the Calvin Harris’ single “Miracle”, which spent 8 weeks at No.1 in the UK. He has written and produced music across multiple genres for Tiësto, Dua Lipa, Rita Ora, Griff, Bebe Rexha, Ellie Goulding, Lewis Capaldi, Anne-Marie, Little Mix, Zedd, Ive and Tom Grennan.
To date, and never say never, Harriet’s gardening talents haven’t rubbed off on the young virtuoso. “Sadly I can’t say that he’s a keen gardener. I have planted up the raised bed in his front garden in London but the rear garden is mostly taken up by his wife Andrea’s recording studio”, explained Harriet.
Not to worry Harriet, the boy has won a Grammy….