In Your Garden: Steph and Tom’s London Garden

Many plants hold memories: begonias gifted by hosts we’ve stayed with, or ferns sparked by Tom’s horticultural trip to New Zealand—which feel especially fitting given our Victorian school building’s historic love for them.

Alongside our summer-holidayed succulents, we’ve woven in homegrown annuals, perennials, shrubs, seasonal bulbs, trees (our favourite being the albizia that bursts into pink pom-poms each summer), and edible plants. The aim was to create something unconventional and surprising, with pockets of intrigue as well as overall impact.

After trying everything from turfing the pathway and experimenting with all kinds of different sun- and shade-loving plants, we settled on a potted bed in full sun, a reclaimed brick path, and a mix of moisture- and shade-tolerant plants that thrive even into the peak of summer.

In the heart of Brixton, it’s become a small, thriving oasis—not just for us, but for birds, bees, and insects too.”

#GMinyourgarden is our series peeking over the fence into gardens across the country to explore their places in our lives today.