Amalfi's Profile

I have enjoyed gardening since I was a child when I used to garden with my parents and grand-parents. Now I enjoy working as a gardener so it's not just a hobby but a profession too - it beats working in an office (which is what I did for 15 years).

In my garden I have a pond with a floating fountain and a rockery which is lit at night and I try to provide colour all year round in my garden by growing plants on my patio in pots as well as the borders around the garden. I also grow quite a lot of things for my clients as well as myself from seed and cuttings and having a greenhouse, a small upright polytunnel and two coldframes really helps.

I also love to enjoy visiting other peoples' gardens which then gives me the inspiration for my own. My best experience was visiting The Chelsea Flower Show for the first time a few years ago and also meeting and seeing the late Christopher Lloyd in his garden at 'Great Dixter' which happens to be my favourite garden - I actually managed to get two photos of him as I am into photography too. I later learnt that I was lucky to take his photo as he does not like having his picture taken. He was waiting for Beth Chatto (another gardener of the same age - one of his friends) to turn up as she was coming up to see him for the day. His two little Daschunds 'Canna' and 'Dahlia' were with him too. If you have not visited his garden you must - it is near Rye in Kent.

Happy Gardening.

Amalfi.